Garden design and outdoor planning
Garden design in the New Forest and Southampton
Thoughtful design that balances beauty, practicality and the unique character of your plot. We help you plan layouts, levels, planting and features so the finished garden feels natural and works for everyday life.
Good design starts with how you actually use your garden. Before anything is drawn up, we visit, walk the plot with you and talk through what matters most: somewhere to sit in the evening sun, room for children to play, space for a shed or bins, less lawn to mow, or a view you want to frame. We take measurements, note levels and drainage, and look at what is already worth keeping.
What garden design with us covers
Every garden is different, so the plan is shaped around your plot rather than a template. Depending on the project, the design work can include:
- Layouts that link the house, patio, lawn and paths in a way that feels natural
- Levels and steps, so sloping gardens become usable and safe
- Planting areas, raised beds and borders placed where plants will thrive
- Features such as pergolas, water features, decking and seating areas
- Drainage and practical details like bin stores, sheds and access routes
- Material choices for paving, edging and fencing that suit the house
Designing around your plot
A plan only works if it respects the ground it sits on. We look at which way the garden faces, where the sun falls through the day, where water collects after rain and how the levels change from the house to the far boundary. Those details decide where a patio will get the most use, whether steps or retaining walls are needed, and which areas suit planting rather than paving.
We also think about the character of the property. A cottage garden on the edge of the New Forest calls for a different approach to a modern semi in Southampton, and the materials, shapes and planting should sit comfortably with the house and its surroundings.
From plan to finished garden
Because we build what we design, the plan is grounded in how things are actually constructed. You get clear, honest advice on what is practical within your budget, and a written quote that sets out the work before anything starts. If you would rather phase the project, we can plan it so the first stage, such as the patio, fits neatly with work you add later.
Once the plan is agreed, the same small team carries out the hard landscaping, turfing and finishing work, so nothing is lost between the design and the build.
Garden design projects
Real photos from our own jobs.
Garden design: frequently asked questions
Do I need a full garden design for a smaller project?
Not always. For a single patio or a new fence, a site visit and a clear quote is usually enough. Design work is most useful when you are changing several parts of the garden at once, dealing with tricky levels, or want the whole space to feel joined up.
Can you work with ideas I already have?
Yes. Many people come to us with photos, sketches or a rough idea of what they want. We help turn that into a practical plan, suggest changes where something will not work well on the ground, and make sure the finished layout suits your plot.
Do you design and build, or just design?
We design and build. The same team that plans the garden carries out the work, which keeps communication simple and means the design is based on how it will actually be built.
How do I get started?
Call Josh on 07985 178377 or send an enquiry using the form. We will arrange a free site visit, talk through your ideas and follow up with a clear written quote.
What people say
“Josh and the team at RHL Landscaping did an outstanding job on our garden project. From the initial quote through to completion, the communication was excellent and the work was finished to a very high standard. Reliable, tidy, and extremely hard-working throughout. We couldn’t be happier with the results and would highly recommend them to anyone in the New Forest area.”
Our process
How we work
- 1
Free site visit and quote
We come out, discuss your ideas, measure up and provide a clear written quote.
- 2
Agree the plan
Once you are happy, we confirm dates and materials.
- 3
Carry out the work
We keep the site tidy, update you as we go, and stick to the agreed scope.
- 4
Final walkthrough
We go through everything with you, make any final adjustments, and leave the area clean.
No pressure, no jargon. Just straightforward service from a local team you can trust.
Related services
Garden makeovers and transformations
End-to-end garden renovations, from clearing and reshaping to new hard landscaping, planting and finishing details. We manage the whole process so you can enjoy the result without the stress.
Find out morePatio and paving installations
Precision-laid patios and pathways using high-quality natural stone, porcelain or concrete paving. Proper foundations, accurate falls for drainage, and clean detailing so the surface stays level and attractive for years.
Find out moreRaised beds, sleepers and brick and stone work
Practical and attractive raised beds, sleeper walls, brick features and stonework that add structure and planting opportunities.
Find out moreFree quotes
Get a free quote for garden design
Tell us a little about your garden and we will be in touch to arrange a free site visit. Prefer to talk? Give Josh a call.
Josh Rehel, Director. Based near Hythe, covering the New Forest and south Hampshire.