Garden design moves more slowly than interior design, but it does evolve — and certain themes have become very strongly established across Hampshire and Dorset over the past two or three years. Here is what we are seeing most often from clients and what is working well.
Large-Format Porcelain Paving
The shift to large-format porcelain tiles (90x90cm and larger) has been one of the most significant trends in Hampshire garden design over the past few years. The clean, minimal joints and enormous colour and finish range make it the most popular choice for contemporary gardens.
Prairie-Style Planting
Inspired by Dutch wave planting and the work of designers like Piet Oudolf, naturalistic prairie-style borders filled with ornamental grasses, echinacea, rudbeckia and salvia are increasingly common in Hampshire gardens. They look spectacular from July to November and require far less maintenance than traditional mixed borders.
- Ornamental grasses as structural anchors
- Echinacea, rudbeckia, salvia in drifts
- Allow seedheads to remain through winter
- Cut back in late February or March
Outdoor Living Rooms
The desire for genuinely functional outdoor rooms — with outdoor kitchens, built-in seating, shade structures and heating — has grown significantly since 2020 and remains the dominant brief for larger garden projects in our area.
A&T Landscapes creates contemporary, well-designed gardens across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire. Call 07735 916029 to discuss your design brief.