We have discussed in the previous months the importance of thinking out of the box with regard to designing a garden that includes both hard and soft features. To continue in the same vein, the connection between areas of the garden is by foot. Whether it is via a manicured lawn or across a sun-blessed patio, these form the floor of our outdoor garden room.

As we clear the land of unwanted growth and bound the area with walls or a fence, we move on to marking out the flowerbeds and developing our plan from the drawing board to the ground. Paths and walkways guide our direction to our ultimate destination, we can arrive via these to a patio, deck or terrace. The best paths oft make themselves; therefore in woodland areas and others of such ilk, one can allow Mother Nature to do her work before adding the finishing touch with the hand of man. More formal areas need definition and can be planned accordingly with paths and walkways set out as required.

It is axiomatic to state if a path is in the right place it is taken for granted, as little is any trespass occurs, however, if a path is poorly placed people ignore its authority and trespass at will. Paths by their very nature compartmentalise thus creating spaces in the garden. Such areas can be used for planting or lawn areas or combinations of both even to including water features and garden furniture. Paths in a way help us to organise the garden and make sense of its desired function. Paths make a visual impact; formal paths have clipped edged lawns or trimmed hedges running parallel to their sides, whilst informal or meandering paths tend to have their edges broken by plant growth, giving the feeling of a secondary or tertiary route to your destination.

For direct routes from point A to point B use straight lines with the shortest run between the two points; this immediately acts as a direction finder. In an informal or woodland setting, where direct access is not required, rather the need to ?force? the observer to walk slowly and admire the scenery, provide obstacles that assist in the exercise, such as group planting screening a bench or placement of a bird bath before a turning.

Paths can be made of various materials be they simple or more elaborate, and include, gravel, a boardwalk, paviors, cobblestones, brick, bark chip and combinations of each! The choice should fit the need and function, in a heavily woodland area where light is not good, steer away from grass or concrete paviors or stone that is likely to become slippery with moisture and moss. Heavily used areas require a more solid material such as brick or cobblestones that will stand the test of time. Think of maintenance when deciding on the final materials, I am not keen on using flagstones with grass between as they become labour intensive, and not necessarily attractive with age.

Patios, decks and terraces are meant and should be designed for relaxation, a place to chill out and shoot the breeze. They must be designed to fill our needs, if not they are but a wasted dysfunctional area, which more times than not become neglected. Location of the patio, deck or terrace will usually dictate the size, and this is the critical point in the design factor.

If such areas are to be used for entertaining, obviously numbers tie in with size; if outdoor dining is to be a function it is necessary to ensure that the number of tables and their size can be accommodated in the proposed area. Many of Bermudas houses lend themselves to extended patios/verandah, where the depth gives protection from sun and rain. Built to fill our needs they become open-air extensions to the house, be they external or internal to the structure.

For simplicity sake, I refer to decks as being part of the swimming pool area or around water, patios or verandahs as an appurtenance to the house or building and terraces as an area of ?hard landscape? within the curtilage of the garden used to view distant vistas or simply to relax. The style of house will often influence the design of the patio, deck or terrace and of course its main purpose for being. Pool decks need to be of a size that will accommodate chaise-lounges, table?s chairs and general perambulation, whilst patios or verandahs should be sited to take in views or be located for shade and of course for easy access to the kitchen if used for entertaining.

Terraces lend themselves to large properties, but when scaled down can still fulfil a need for separating oneself to a quiet area away from the house. The choice of materials is wide ranging for each of the areas, with brick and cobblestones being popular especially when used in a random pattern. The use of fences and walls is by necessity part of any design and should be tempered with sensitivity as to its structure.

Fences can highlight any area if the design fits in with the surrounds; wood is organic and can be adapted to many interesting designs. Walls by their very nature are a sign of defence and privacy; and yet can be made to look attractive and not cold. Inserting faux pillars at set distances in the wall breaks the monotony of the flat plane whilst texturing can also add interest to a bland finish. Creating windows or openings in walls also creates interest, especially when focused on a particular view or point of interest.

The garden should be more than just a place for growing grass and plant?s whether we think of it as such or not it is a major part of our lifestyle, it is a room with a view, and on a nice day you can see forever.