Nature is amazing and access to a garden can really be transformative. Gardens can give us additional living space, somewhere for the children to play or a relaxed setting to entertain friends and family with the right garden furniture in place. Seasonal colour palettes can also augment our internal décor. Whatever garden design ideas you are looking for – from a minor refresh with outdoor furniture to a full transition from muddy space to garden paradise – the talented uFurnish.com Home Awards entrants offer plenty of inspiration, whether for a small garden, courtyard garden or garden ideas on a budget.
Explore the Entrants' Rooms
Our entrants for the Best Garden award really pulled out the stops for their brilliant creations, regardless of the amount of space they had to work with. Some most definitely have green fingers, making superb use of mother nature in their planting, whilst others used clever constructions designed to delineate a garden’s different purposes.
Our category winner, Roxanne Fregona (@vincent_the_house), transformed this south facing garden, taking inspiration from the existing trees to create a multifunctional area. There are restful shaded areas, a well-equipped cooking area along with outdoor dining and plenty of different spaces to sit and relax, as well as a practical herb garden. There is a wonderful summer house and she has made good use of hanging baskets to add texture and interest to what would otherwise be a blank wall. Much of the paintwork is black, echoing the house’s Crittall windows, contrasted with light and dark green furnishings and accessories.
One of the finalists, Penny Fergusson, has also cleverly divided up the garden into different zones using a moon gate roughly halfway down, echoed with curving railway sleeper pathways and rounded lawn areas. The garden has multiple zones, including a dining area, a hanging chair, a koi pond, a private hammock area and even a putting green!
Susan Mays (@noplacelikehome) has created this modern, chic combination of black, neutrals and natural wood to create a relaxing and tranquil garden with a spectacular view of the lake at the end of it! Seasonal flowering plants provide pops of colour, while various stylish potted plants give height and texture. There is a wonderful outdoor kitchen and dining area with a covered seating area in front to make the most of the lovely views. Note the white hosepipe with a clever antler hook situated on the white wall that provides functionality but blends in neatly with the design.
One of our other finalists, Charlotte Buckingham (@home_with_the_buckinghams), has managed the steep gradient of her garden really well with the finished result flowing beautifully from the back of the house and providing areas dedicated both to adults and children. There is an impressive barbecue area and space for dining and seating, as well as a children’s play area hidden away at the top. The palette is a lovely combination of black and neutrals with stone and wood featuring as well.
Our last finalist, Wendy Gilmour (@wendyhgilmour), has embraced a lovely blue and white palette that runs through the patio, soft furnishings and, very cleverly, the flowering plants. The existing mature trees have been incorporated into the design with a magical treehouse for the children and a fabulous “gin palace” pergola tucked away in one corner. This multi-level space looks both wonderfully calm and extremely versatile.
Styles seen across Entrants' Rooms
Looking through all of the entries for this award, it was clear that the vast majority were looking to really maximise the use of their outdoor space. The British climate was clearly a strong consideration, with many using structures to provide shelter from both the rain and strong sunshine. Outdoor eating was a big factor and many have managed the compromise between adult and child usage really well.
What we love at uFurnish.com
We loved the versatility and style that this year’s entries showed. A lot of thought had gone into these garden designs and many proved that, whilst you might have to put in some effort, you don’t need a big budget to create a chic space. It was clear that lots of people were finding ways to make great use of their outdoor spaces, which we fully support!
How to apply these ideas in your home
Undertaking a garden transformation will inevitably require some initial effort, regardless of how large or small your space is. Before starting, think about how you want to use the space – is the space going to be exclusively for grown-ups or do you need a children’s play area? What direction does the garden face? – A south-facing garden would likely need more shade (for both you and your plants). Do you plan to use your garden year-round or purely for summer entertaining? How much garden maintenance are you happy to do? It’s vital to think about how you will keep your outside space pristine through the seasons, whether that’s maintaining your furniture or keeping your plant beds tidy. Below we highlight some key aspects to consider:
1. Outside dining
- Cooking – do you just need a barbecue or are you looking for a better equipped outdoor kitchen? Either way, it should be near your eating area.
- Dining dining sets – how many do you need to seat? How can you supplement this if needed?
- Managing hot weather – how can you implement shade via parasols, shade sails or more permanent structures such as pergolas.
2. Relaxation – do you need year round seating or seasonal hammocks or sun loungers?
- Locations – do you have space to follow the sun or properly get away from the hustle and bustle?
- Portability – if you plan to move your furniture items around, can this be done easily?
- Summer house – do you have space for a summer house that can give you more flexible use of your garden?
3. Play – do you need a dedicated children’s play area or grown-up sports zones?
- Children’s zone – dedicate a space and think about what you can fit into there whilst ensuring safety and being mindful of potential noise.
- Sports areas – you might not have room for a tennis court but what about a putting green, bowls or axe throwing?
4. Storage – from garden tools to parasols, cushions, throws or BBQ paraphenalia, garden items won’t be in use all year round, so think about where they will be housed.
- Are they readily accessible?
- Can they be kept clean and dry and ready for their next use?
5. Lighting – you can extend the use of your garden into the evening with clever use of outdoor lighting.
- Mains lights can be placed on your house, around cooking and dining areas or on structures such as summer houses and pergolas.
- Solar lighting can be great for illuminating pathways or relaxation areas.
Having thought about how you will use your garden, don’t forget about plants! Mature trees can provide a natural canopy, whilst beds can be planted to reflect your chosen colour scheme. You don’t need to be Alan Titchmarsh to get this right, though you might need to experiment a little over the seasons! For all your garden furniture and soft furnishings, let uFurnish.com spark your imagination and help you find the pieces you need.
The spaces featured in the uFurnish.com Home Awards 2025 celebrate creativity, individuality and the many ways people shape their homes to reflect who they are. Each entrant offers garden inspiration that can be adapted to any style or budget, showing how thoughtful planting, outdoor furniture and clever layout choices can transform everyday outdoor spaces. We hope these ideas inspire you to reimagine your garden and create an outdoor space you love spending time in.
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