A well-seasoned traveller will know that one of the worst things about going on vacation is the post-holiday blues.
But what if you could bring a slice of paradise home with you?
Our latest guide provides you with everything you might need to create a garden inspired by the most iconic outdoor aesthetics from around the world.
Armed with our expertly crafted mood boards, as well as our wide range of landscaping tools and equipment, you can leave your suitcases in the loft and create a garden fit for a brochure.
England
The rose is England’s national flower and comes in a range of colours — making them perfect for planting or building up borders in any style you like. Also popular in England are geraniums, lavender and any other flowers or plants that attract insect life like bees and butterflies.
An English country garden also needs that beautiful spot for afternoon tea, so adorning your space with a stone patio, paths, and iron or wooden dining furniture will help create that timeless feel.
Japan
Opt for natural textures like stone, gravel, and moss, as well as tall overarching trees like Cherry Blossom or mossy ferns like the Asian hares-foot. Samon Raking is a traditional feature of Japanese gardens and involves raking fine gravel into intricate patterns. This can be easily achieved with gravel and gravelling tools and effortlessly adds natural texture to your Japanese-inspired garden.
You can also bring the true essence of Japanese Zen with a built-in water feature. Whether you want to go small with a bamboo deer scarer or go all out with a Koi Pond — both will fill your garden with the relaxing sounds of trickling water that whisk you away to the gardens of Japan.
Want to build your very own water feature? Don’t forget the essentials such as water pumps and paving equipment!
Greece
You’ll want to stick to a colour palette that consists of white, bright blue and accents of terracotta to achieve that desirable rustic Greek look.
Painting walls or fence panels a bright white will look glorious in the summer, while colourful tiles with intricate Grecian patterns will provide the perfect contrast.
When adding greenery to your Greek garden, citrus trees are perfect for a pop of colour and staying within the desired aesthetic — as are succulents and herbs like oregano, lavender, and sage.
Mexico
Building a garden inspired by Mexico is your excuse to go wild with bold shades of pink, blue, and yellow. Try adding flowers such as pink dahlias (Mexico’s national flower), marigolds for rich, bright colours and Mexican sunflowers for little drops of sunshine. Cacti is common in Mexican gardens but doesn’t grow well in UK weather. That said, they can thrive indoors like in conservatories or greenhouses, or outdoor, raised succulent beds can be used to achieve a similar look.
With Mexican culture having such a big focus on family, consider making your garden a great space for entertaining. Try opting for comfy outdoor seating, decking areas, and of course, a space for lots of outdoor cooking.
Thailand
Like Japan, Thailand incorporates natural elements when designing its gardens — you might want to make a water feature the focus of your garden. Whether that’s a fountain, a pond or even a small waterfall — the presence of water will effortlessly evoke those tropical vibes.
Flowers aren’t a common feature in Thai-inspired gardens. Instead, fill your space with tall grass, palm trees and bamboo screens and furniture.
Amongst all the foliage, opt for Thai-style garden ornaments to really transform your space. Elephant ornaments would be a great addition as they are a symbol of good fortune in Thai culture.
Italy
For a true Italian style, you’ll want to opt for a warm colour palette making use of ecru, as well as shades of brown and ivory.
When adding greenery, add evergreen plants in the form of shrubs and topiaries to achieve that ‘Italian courtyard’ look. This can be complemented with Lillies (their national flower) and even Roses to create that typical romantic atmosphere.
All of that greenery can be contrasted by lots of stone and hardscaping. This can even include a water fountain to add essences of Italian opulence.
Morocco
Morocco is known for its Riads which consist of traditional courtyards in the centre of the home. This can be easily achieved by using warm colour palettes for your fences and walls like cream, brown and light yellow.
If you’re after something a little more colourful, you can make use of traditional Moroccan tiles and add pops of blue and orange.
Cacti and Aloe Vera plants would also be great additions, but since they don’t grow very well in UK climates, they can either be grown indoors or replaced with succulents.
Add outdoor woven rugs, low tables and floor cushions to bring the indoors and outdoors together and really align with the Moroccan style.
France
A French-inspired garden is perfect for someone looking for a beautifully subtle garden. Beiges and faded tones can provide the perfect paint colours, as well as white or lavender for a brighter look.
French gardens are often well-kept and provide the perfect space for delightful outdoor dining. Opt for iron or marble bistro furniture, simplistic water features and fragrant herbs to create a calming atmosphere perfect for sipping coffee and flicking through a good book.
Portugal
You’ll find a lot of Roman influences in Portuguese gardens which can easily be brought about by neutral colours and lots of stone. You can add some colour and apply an authentic Portuguese style with azulejos — blue ceramic tiles — and hints of terracotta.
For greenery, opt for hedges, evergreens raised plant beds and even climbing plants to provide decor and shade. Fruit trees are also common in Portugal. If you’re wanting to add fruit trees of your own, apple, pear, plum and cherry trees are best for UK climates.
For the final touches, an adapted BBQ area is a great way to encompass Portugal’s love for outdoor dining.
The Netherlands
A Dutch garden is all about primary colours, symmetry, and organisation. The national flower is a tulip, so be sure to fill your planters and flower beds with tulips of varying colours.
But make sure not to mix them to keep that authentic, uniform look common in Dutch culture.
Dutch style would suit a smaller garden due to the organised and precise style. That said, bigger gardens can also evoke a Dutch feel with still water features to mimic their common reflecting pools, as well as lots of potted plants and modern benches and furniture.
Here at Toolstation, you’ll find all the landscaping tools and equipment you need to create your garden inspired by your travels. Pick your desired mood board and explore our range of products and materials to get started today!