The complete guide to designing your garden in Kingston, Surbiton and surrounding areas

Designing a garden should feel exciting, not overwhelming. Yet in our part of SW and West London, outdoor spaces come with their own quirks. Heavy clay soil, narrow side returns, overlooked boundaries, drainage puzzles and steep level changes all influence what is possible and what will work long term.

At Flourish Landscaping, these conditions are normal. We keep our working area tight so every project is supervised closely, delivered efficiently and supported by trusted local suppliers. We avoid wasted travel time, maintain consistency on site and ensure clients get the care and attention they deserve.

This guide brings together our experience across Kingston, Surbiton and neighbouring areas. It walks through the four essential stages of garden design: deciding what you want, planning your layout, choosing the right materials and finishing with planting and styling.

1. Deciding what you want from your garden

Before choosing paving or plants, the first step is clarity. Understanding what you want your outdoor space to do will shape the entire design.

Think about lifestyle

A garden is an extension of your home. Consider whether you want:

• a morning coffee corner

• a sociable dining space

• a safe place for children or pets

• a quiet reading nook

• a low maintenance garden

• a wildlife friendly setting

• a productive herb or cut flower patch

• a shed, studio or gym

Most gardens need to do several things well. Setting priorities early prevents design overload.

Think about mood and style

You do not need design vocabulary. You just need to know what you enjoy visually.

You might love:

• clean modern lines

• soft cottage planting

• naturalistic, meadow-inspired planting

• boho textures

• minimalist structure

• classic London character

Save images that speak to you. Themes will emerge naturally.

Understand local soil and site conditions

Across Kingston, Coombe, Surbiton and nearby areas, most gardens sit on heavy clay soil. Clay affects:

• drainage

• patio stability

• lawn health

• foundation requirements

• raised bed design

• plant choice

As Craig Davis explains:

“Clay soil catches people out because the problems show up after the build, not during it. If you plan for drainage from the start, you save yourself a lot of stress later.”

Plan external power and water early

Outdoor services are simple during construction and disruptive afterwards.

Consider:

• lighting for steps and paths

• lighting for planting

• outdoor sockets

• power for sheds or studios

• a tap near the house

• a tap at the back

• a side-return hose point

• irrigation for borders, lawns and pots

If you might want it one day, allow the pipework now.

Use the side return wisely

Side returns can be transformed into:

• bike storage

• cushion cupboards

• bin storage

• log stores

• outdoor sinks

• taps or hose points

• discreet routes for cables and pipes

Treat this space as part of the design, not an afterthought.

Create your wish list

List everything you want, practical or aspirational. We refine it later.

Identify what must stay

Some elements are fixed, such as boundaries, trees, drains, downpipes and access routes.

2. Layout and planning your space

Once your goals are set, the next step is turning them into a layout that works beautifully.

Begin with a site survey

Record:

• dimensions

• levels and slopes

• sun and shade patterns

• boundaries

• views from the house

• access routes

• drains and manholes

• wet patches caused by clay soil

• plants worth keeping

Create functional zones

Every zone should serve a purpose. Consider:

• dining

• lounge or fire pit

• quiet seating

• lawn

• play space

• raised beds or kitchen garden

• compost

• shed or studio

• side-return utility lane

Zoning helps the garden feel intentional.

Plan flow and movement

Good gardens feel natural to walk through.

Ask:

• is access from the kitchen to dining easy

• are paths wide enough

• can bikes move through the side return

• do steps feel safe

• do sightlines feel open

A designer we work with often says:

“Good layout is the skeleton of a garden. If the structure works, everything else falls into place.”

Levels and drainage

Clay soil means drainage must be considered early.

Plan for:

• falls on patios

• raised planting beds

• French drains

• permeable surfaces

• avoiding water pooling near the house

• strong sub-bases

Add power and lighting

Add lighting and power to the layout before building begins.

Include:

• step lights

• path lights

• spike lights

• power for studios or sheds

• concealed wiring routes

• outdoor sockets

Lighting adds atmosphere and practicality.

Plan water routes

Useful placements include:

• hose point in the side return

• tap at the back

• irrigation lines

• outdoor sinks

• hidden pipework

Sheds and storage

Sheds

Think about size, access, electrics and how it sits in the garden.

As Craig Davis puts it:

“A shed that is too big ruins the garden. A shed that is too small ruins your patience.”

Other storage

This may include:

• bike stores

• cushion cupboards

• bin screens

• log stores

• built in cabinetry in the side return

3. Choosing the right materials for your garden

Materials define the look and feel of your garden and how it ages over time.

Paving

Popular materials include:

• porcelain

• sandstone

• limestone

• granite

• clay pavers

• gravel

Porcelain works exceptionally well in clay soil with the right foundation.

Decking

Good for tricky levels or shade. Options include composite, softwood and hardwood.

Walls and raised beds

Materials include:

• render

• brick

• London stock style

• sandstone walling

• timber sleepers

• porcelain cladding

• composite cladding

• corten steel

• gabions

Raised beds lift plant roots above clay.

A designer we collaborate with notes:

“Choose materials that feel good to touch and that age gracefully. Your materials outlive trends.”

Fences and screens

Choose from:

• slatted

• closeboard

• trellis

• hardwood battens

• composite systems

Pergolas

These add height, shade and structure, and can hide power or lighting cables.

Paths and edging

Popular choices include porcelain stepping stones, brick, gravel or resin bound.

Storage materials

Storage should blend into the garden. Consider timber cladding, composite cladding, cedar or metal bike stores.

Lighting finishes

Durable finishes include powder coated black, stainless steel, bronze or copper.

Materials suited to clay soil

Clay soil needs:

• strong sub-bases

• porcelain

• gravel

• raised beds

• drainage layers

• clay tolerant planting

4. Planting, finishing touches and long term planning

Planting and styling give your garden personality, movement and colour.

Build a planting plan

Include:

• evergreen structure

• seasonal colour

• ornamental grasses

• climbers

• shrubs for backbone

• perennials for softness

Clay tolerant options include hydrangeas, viburnums, dogwoods, roses, miscanthus and carex.

Group plants by needs

Match plants with similar sun, shade and moisture preferences.

Add height and layering

Use a mix of groundcover, shrubs, tall perennials, multi-stem trees and climbers.

Create privacy

Use slatted screens, pergolas, climbers or pleached trees.

Year round interest

Think about winter form, spring bulbs, summer colour and autumn texture.

Finishing touches

Add:

• pots

• mirrors

• rugs

• lanterns

• furniture

• lighting

• water features

• seasonal styling

These small details complete the atmosphere.

Long term planning

Gardens grow and evolve. Consider plant growth, seasonal maintenance, drainage performance, irrigation systems and future additions such as a studio.

Final thoughts

Designing a garden in Kingston, Surbiton and surrounding areas requires an understanding of local conditions, especially clay soil and narrow London layouts. When the process is broken into clear stages, the result is a space that feels intentional, calm and enjoyable throughout the year.

Flourish Landscaping works within a focused local radius so every project is supervised properly, delivered with care and supported by trusted local suppliers and staff. This approach keeps quality high and surprises low.

If you are ready to reimagine your garden, we would love to help bring your ideas to life.