Using timber in garden design to enhance your outdoor space.
Written in collaboration with Carey Garden Design Studio.
31st July 2023
Pairing your materials to your plants makes all the difference to your outdoor space. Whether this be as edging detail at floor level, an entire backdrop to lift the eye, or standing features to create a sense of depth in a border, timber provides definition and contrast between various elements of landscaping.
Millworks Decking and Fencing products are durable, hardwearing and have been manufactured for endless design opportunities to transform how you use your space. Timber can take many forms and there is undoubtedly a surface finish, coating or profile that will marry perfectly with a plant’s colour, leaf shape or structure. Not something you would necessarily see at first glance, unless you know what you’re looking for, but it’s in these subtle details that our eyes are able to read a space.
Whenever starting a new project, it’s best to be aware of the existing surroundings as this will have significant impact on your design. Whether it’s the tumbling flint walls of coastal cottages or an ultra-modern, contemporary build, each property will already (hopefully) have a sense of materiality to it. More and more we are seeing an appetite for natural and sustainable materials, and it’s increasingly understood that timber is easy to work with, very forgiving and quick in terms of visual impact.
When left to weather timber landscaping products will fade to silver-grey, something that is often celebrated in soft design schemes to compliment winding borders and meandering wooden pathways. Depth, rich tones, and texture can be introduced through factory coatings and surface textures and is a popular choice when pairing timber with other natural elements such as stone and modern sheet materials.
Aside from using timber to compliment the planted elements in a garden, it can also be used in different formats to create a sense of cohesion across the space. This works particularly well when moving across varying levels. To have a timber fencing backdrop that blends into a decking-lined walkway and then seamlessly into a step or raised bed provides impactful aesthetics and builds a multifunctional space. This creates a timber ‘backbone’ to the garden, on which the planting elements can be cleverly used to embrace the space from all sides and make the most of your outdoor living area regardless of size.
In contrast to pre-made timber panel products, bespoke detailing can be easily achieved with the use of timber fencing slats and battens. Edging your space with fencing not only provides structure and privacy but can be extended to create zones that complement the natural flow from indoors to outdoors. When building your design, decking is a fantastic option to unify the different areas of the space and provide low maintenance style to high traffic areas.
Whether you’re looking for characterful detailing or classic timber features, Millworks decking and fencing products are selected for style and longevity. With no design project too small, our range of durable softwoods and clear grade hardwoods can be used in any application, from courtyard to castle.
