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Surface Choices - Page 2
Not-so-hard underfoot floorings can be made of wood: this may be custom-made timber decking or reclaimed materials such as railway sleepers (ties). When it comes to soft flooring, the obvious solution is a lawn; bear it in mind that herbs such as chamomile or thyme can make interesting alternatives to grass. Planting also offers a soft floor,though this will only be suitable for a look-but-don't-walk area.
The choice of material is one thing, deciding on its best form for your garden is another. Stone is available in rectangular slabs, squares, cobbles or crazy paving; concrete comes in any number of shapes. The form you choose and the way in which the material is laid can affect the whole look of the garden. Smaller units can make a tiny plot seem larger. Bricks laid widthways across a path give a tranquil look; laid lengthways they lend dynamism. A herringbone arrangement looks both attractive and established. Using differently sized units of the same material offers variety, while laying materials diagonally can visually enlarge a tiny area.
The surface you choose should always fulfil its function. Wooden decking laid under overhanging trees will quickly become covered with slippery algae. If children are going to play daily on a patio, you may find that flat slabs are more useful than characterful old bricks.
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A sweeping lawn makes an enviable natural emerald carpet, perfect for
wetter climates. An expanse of cool, green grass punctuates the visually
busy areas of planting, inducing a sense of calm in the garden.
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