There are five essential elements you need to create the perfect English country garden.
Garden design is about making sense of your outside space, and when it comes to an English country garden, it's by creating 'rooms', forming pathways and enclosing your spaces. If you have a good-sized garden you can make several lawn-filled 'rooms', lay paths between them and enclose them with walls of hedges.
1. Shape up
When it comes to lawn designs, a rectangular lawn is more authentically country and less urban than a circular design. Try to get a few rectangles of different sizes into your plot.
2. Plan your beds
Make sure there's enough room around the lawn for generous flowerbeds. The bigger the lawn, the deeper the planting needs to be. Ideally there'll be enough room for three tiers of planting from tall at the back, to low at the front. And for that you need the border to be at least two metres deep.
3. Make walkways
For an English country garden, add walkways between your lawns. They can be laid with gravel, paving, or brick and should be wide enough for two people to walk comfortably along side-by-side. Spanning a pathway you could add a garden arch covered with climbing plants – roses always look wonderful grown on arches.
4. Create a view
Think about what you'll see from the lawn and walkway. Try to include a feature to provide a focal point – otherwise known as a 'view-stopper'. It could be a sculpture, a seat, fountain or simple water feature.
5. Plant a wall
Hedges are an integral part of an English country garden. They form the walls of the new 'rooms' you're making. Plant them behind the borders and alongside the walkways to separate each lawn and path. And where a hedge crosses a walkway, create an arch that you could also use to form a frame for the 'view-stopper'.
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Garden mirrors: 23 outdoor mirrors to suit every space
The Contemporary One - Best Garden Mirrors
Garden Leisure Black Steel Mirror
This contemporary garden mirror is high up on our wish list. With a durable steel and glass construction, the elegant arched design (hello, curves!) makes this something of a statement. We love its understated appeal.
The Grey One - Best Garden Mirrors
Lola Outdoor Arch Mirror in Grey
£122 at housebeautiful.co.uk
We love this gorgeous light grey mirror from our very own House Beautiful Marketplace. The lovely arched detail and integrated panels creates a sophisticated finish.
The Round One - Best Garden Mirrors
Vintage Round Metal Frame Indoor/Outdoor Wall Mirror
Not keen on decorative styles? Keep it simple with this pared-back round outdoor mirror. It has a nature-inspired green rim and a nod to vintage with a distressed finish.
If you're big on metallic accents inside your home, then there's no reason why you can't apply this decorating choice to your garden too. This gold framed mirror has made our list because it's effortlessly chic and will elevate your outdoor space in an instant.
The Decorative One - Best Garden Mirrors
Rosalind Wheeler Raiford Rectangle Metal Wall Mirror
With a black powder-coated steel frame, this outdoor mirror is framed with intricate decorative details, including stars on each corner. It exudes a sense of grandeur, making this ideal for transforming a corner of your garden.
We love the rustic finish on this arched mirror that will no doubt add character and charm to your outdoor surroundings. It's crafted from high quality robust metal and left to naturally age.
With an Art Deco-inspired design, this round outdoor mirror with sectioned panels will make a rather beautiful addition to your garden. It's made from a durable steel and glass construction and features a waterproof backing. Position near a seating area, or an outdoor kitchen or garden bar if you've got space for entertaining.
The Elegant One - Best Garden Mirrors
Moroccan Nights Metal Frame Indoor/Outdoor Wall Mirror
Not all garden mirrors have to be fancy. This metal frame is inspired by Moroccan designs, and we adore the graceful and somewhat delicate arch and curves at the top, but everything else is pared-back – clean, straight lines, with no additional decorative details.
The Black Rectangular One - Best Garden Mirrors
Garden Trading Fulbrook rectangle mirror
We love the large panes on this Fulbrook rectangle mirror from Garden Trading. 100 per cent steel and with a powder-coated finish, position on your wall to reflect the gorgeous greenery from a hedge or trailing plant.
The Square One - Best Garden Mirrors
Fulbrook Square Mirror
Boasting a sophisticated and contemporary style with a sleek black frame, this is a square version of the previously mentioned Fulbrook garden mirror. It features a distinctive window pane, perfect for every outdoor space.
Is this a mirror or a piece of art? Well, you get the best of both world's with this contemporary design. It features five stylish half circle mirror and metal line designs and would work perfectly in modern, contemporary garden.
The Rectangular One - Best Garden Mirrors
Sarah Window Pane Outdoor Mirror in White
£70 at housebeautiful.co.uk
Decorate your outside space with this rectangular mirror from the House Beautiful Marketplace. Finished in white, it features an on-trend window pane design, and at under £70, it's a steal!
Looking for a garden mirror with some wow factor? Look no further. This sunburst design is sure to create a stunning focal point. Nailing contemporary chic, the rich gold finish makes this ideal for a modern or boho-themed garden.
The Gated One - Best Garden Mirrors
Woodside Bexley Decorative Outdoor Garden Arch Mirror
Decorative mirrors can work wonders in outdoor spaces, really helping to create a showstopping focal point. We particularly love the gated design here and it lends itself perfectly to cottage-stye gardens.
If you're looking for a small garden mirror, we quite like this vintage arched design, finished in antique white.
Looking for an outdoor mirror that will blend in with your surroundings? This antique green frame is perfect for a country garden or courtyard, and will suit more traditional garden styles.
The Window Pane One - Best Garden Mirrors
Daisy Window Pane Outdoor Mirror
£122 at housebeautiful.co.uk
Combining two big trending features – window pane detailing and an arched frame – this modern garden mirror from the House Beautiful Marketplace is guaranteed to add a contemporary design twist to your space. It's available in two colourways, so take your pick!
Outdoor mirrors can be decorative wall art too, as is proven with this utterly charming round mirror from Dunelm. In a neutral colourway, the outer iron frame extends to form a delicate depiction of the much-loved orchid flower.
The Solar-Powered One - Best Garden Mirrors
Metal Arch Backlit Mirror – Solar Powered Garden Wall Light
Finished with a wooden frame and inspired by classic-shaped church windows, this garden mirror will give a whole new dimension to your outdoor space whilst creating a cosy light at night. Thanks to the solar panel, it will charge during the day in the sunlight, and come night time, it will create a soft, warm glow with a unique backlit effect.
The Black One - Best Garden Mirrors
Large Black Metal Arched Garden Mirror
This large arched garden mirror is frost protected to withstand any weather. We love the black metal frame that's lightly distressed in gold leaf. It will create a real statement.
Dunelm has got a great range of garden mirrors this year, and we've included this one on our list because it's perfect if you just want something small. The frame adds plenty of interest with an overlapping circular detail in a luxurious gold finish.
Looking like a window to a secret garden, this traditional style garden mirror adds depth, making your space appear bigger than it is. It gives the illusion of an open pair of windows.
The House Beautiful team
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