How to Design a Low-Maintenance Garden (Without Sacrificing Style)

By Tomlinson’s Landscapes – Your Local Garden Experts

Keeping your garden looking great shouldn’t feel like a second job. At Tomlinson’s Landscapes, we believe your outdoor space should work for you — not the other way around. Whether you’re a busy homeowner or simply want to spend more time enjoying your garden than tending to it, we specialise in low-maintenance garden design that delivers beauty without sacrificing style.

Here’s our expert guide on how to design a low-maintenance garden — and how we can help bring yours to life.

1. Start with the Right Layout

The foundation of a low-maintenance garden is a smart design. This means:

• Reducing lawn space (or opting for artificial grass)

• Creating functional zones for seating, play, or planting

• Using curves or straight lines that are easy to mow or edge around

A thoughtful garden design not only looks great but also makes upkeep simple without sacrificing style.

2. Choose Hard-Wearing Materials

Low maintenance starts with your surfaces. Consider:

• Composite decking (fade and rot-resistant)

• Natural stone paving (fade and weed-resistant)

• Porcelain paving (weed-resistant and easy to clean)

• Decorative gravel or slate (with weed membrane beneath)

Our Service Tip: We source and install durable materials that look good for years and withstand UK weather. Every choice is made with low-maintenance garden design in mind.

3. Minimise Weeds with Mulching & Membranes

Weeds are the number one enemy of a low-maintenance garden. A few pro tricks include:

• Laying weed-suppressing membrane under gravel or bark

• Using bark mulch around plants to retain moisture and block sunlight

Our Service Tip: Weed-proofing is standard in all our garden design projects.

4. Install Smart Irrigation

Drip irrigation or soaker hoses connected to a timer mean you won’t have to remember to water — even during an English “heatwave”.

Our Service Tip: We can install a discreet, automatic watering system as part of your garden design, making your low-maintenance garden even easier to care for.

5. Keep It Simple – But Stylish

Low-maintenance doesn’t mean low impact. With the right design, your garden can be easy to manage while still stunning. Ideas include:

• Raised beds with built-in seating

• LED lighting to enjoy your garden at night

• Statement pots with architectural plants

Our Service Tip: Every Tomlinson’s garden design is planned for simplicity and beauty without sacrificing style.

Ready to Make Your Garden Effortless?

At Tomlinson’s Landscapes, we don’t just create gardens — we create low-maintenance lifestyles. Our experienced team works with you from concept to completion, ensuring your garden design is stress-free, long-lasting, and tailored to you.

Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s design a low-maintenance garden you’ll love — without sacrificing style.