Just picture a slow coffee in the morning sun, a long lunch with the family, golden-hour drinks as the garden cools. Your outdoor space can hold all of this; it just needs a little intention. That’s where zoning comes in.
Zoning is a core principle in industries such as hospitality, where it is vital for designers and planners to get the flow of a space just right for the guest experience. It’s a versatile tool that’s surprisingly underused by homeowners, particularly when it comes to outdoor space.
Zoning addresses the problem of how an open space can be broken down into clearly distinct areas, each with their own mood and purpose, all without the need for walls. The garden can become even more rewarding, a series of “moments” to enjoy rather than as a single area.
The mindset
Before making a start on any changes that you might have in mind it’s important to step back and consider the space at hand. Spend time in your space and pay attention to its unique characteristics and how they might lend themselves to zones.
What orientation is your garden? How does the light move across it over the course of the day, and even how does that shift between seasons? These are important considerations to make when thinking about zones. Where should you set up an area to relax in the sun come a sunny afternoon, or where to entertain and BBQ at dinnertime, or to sip cocktails on a late summer’s evening? An east-facing wall catches the early sun; a west-facing boundary is where you’ll want to be as the evening draws in.
Once you have a feel for the light, you can start to match zones to moments. A quiet spot near the house for breakfast. A generous, shaded area for dining through the afternoon and into the evening. A tucked-away destination for late-night drinks.
Garden furniture will play a large role in establishing a zone when you have decided on what your priorities are. Furniture will anchor and indicate the purpose of the space, for example a dining set, lounger, or bar set. Individual zones are not competing for space but rather connecting and guiding you throughout the course of a day, from morning through to evening.
The Bistro Zone – morning through to midday
A Bistro zone is a place to enjoy during the morning time. A place to have coffee, breakfast or a quiet brunch. The area doesn’t have to be large. In fact, a smaller intimate space is part of the appeal. For this space you will need some seating and potentially a table. A Bistro set is a classic choice, a perfect, intimate set up consisting of a small round table and café style chairs. Alternatively, you might consider a bench and side table which can work just as well.
Establishing your morning area near to the kitchen is ideal, so that you do not have to travel too far for what might be a short stay. It will be effortless rather than feeling like a commitment. If it’s possible, you should evaluate where the morning sun settles and position your Bistro set there. Even better next to a sunny wall or a sheltered sun-trapping corner. This will make the mornings spent there even more enjoyable, especially on those fresher starts.
Finish the zone and enhance its mood by introducing sensory plants nearby, such as herbs like rosemary, thyme or mint, or fragrant plants like lavender in small-medium pots.
The Dining Zone – midday to evening
This is the social heart of the garden: the zone that works hardest and earns the most investment.
A dining table and chairs will anchor the area, used for everything from relaxed lunches to candlelit dinners. You will need to consider the size of the table and how many chairs you need based on the space available, how many people you regularly need to seat and how often you entertain. A good-sized rectangular table with 6 chairs is a particularly practical and flexible choice.
Dining sets come in a wide variety of materials so there is sure to be something to suit the style of your garden, whether that’s wood, aluminium, teak or another option. These all have their own pros and con and considerations for you to make, for example care and maintenance, weatherproofing, and even weight.
Because this area will be used from afternoon to evening it’s ok to situate it in a shaded area where you will benefit when dining during the summer months. Where no natural shade is available, you might look at adding shade in the form of a pergola, parasol or sail shade. These will also add structure and character to a zone at the same time.
To create atmosphere and provide light as the evening draws in, you might consider table lanterns, candles or overhead festoon lighting to keep the space alive. These will extend the usability of the area further into the evening, should desserts drift into dusk or you stay at the table for a glass and a chat.
The Bar Zone – dusk to late
This is an evening destination; a separate place to step away from the dining table. It’s an area to enjoy a drink and conversation in low lighting and sheltered from the wind. Having this as a distinct area away from the house, somewhere you must go to, will give it a special “destination” feel.
During the Covid pandemic the country saw a seismic shift in its appreciation of personal outside space. There was a huge increase in the different, inventive, ways people began using their gardens. One popular way with many was to create a makeshift bar or pub at home. These dedicated areas were set up to scratch that itch during lockdowns, but the idea has remained in circulation since. Today bar sets are more popular than ever as people continue to enjoy their gardens to the full potential.
A bar set consists of a tall bar table with bar-height chairs or stools. The way a bar area utilises space really sets it apart from other zones. The height of a bar table and seating is so different, it changes up the atmosphere and there is a noticeable shift in mood. Standing or sitting upright at the bar is going to have you feeling less lethargic and more engaged which only encourages conversation.
As bar sets have grown in popularity so too has the range available. Today you will find bar sets in all styles, from sleek and modern metals to warmer rattans and woods, finishes that suit almost any garden style.
Additional Zones
A relaxation zone – A tranquil corner which is dedicated to reading, meditation or simply sitting quietly. Surround it with lush green planting and perhaps a water feature for ambient sound. Include a lounger or low bench for seating, or perhaps even ground-level seating for the warmer months.
A living zone – This is worth consideration if your home opens out directly onto the garden. Properties with large sliding or bi-fold doors onto a patio create a natural opportunity to blur the line between indoors and out. Garden sofa sets, which can comprise of sofa, armchairs and a coffee table, are ideal here. They often are made from durable rattan and with soft cushions and effortlessly extend the living area into the garden.
