Think about how your garden is viewed from different locations. Which view do you see the most? Is it the view from your kitchen window perhaps? If so, what is it that you’re looking out to? Can you improve the view by the placement of a bench or statue? Then, when you get to that point in the garden, what is the view that you are looking back to?

Much can be achieved in a garden by careful design. Features have to be planned carefully, taking into account their impact on the overall look: you can't consider a patio or a pool in isolation- it has to work well with other elements that are fighting for attention.

Areas of paving or decking can be introduced and separate "rooms" created, each with their own features and focal points just waiting to be explored. Compartments can be introduced by planting hedges to divide the garden into distinct areas. A decorative trellis, painted an attractive or stylish colour or covered with a climber, can achieve the desired effect without being too "heavy" visually, or depriving plants of light.

Low box hedges, or low walls, raised beds, and even raised ponds, can be used to create compartments that have to be explored by walking around obstacles and through " entrances" without the garden looking cluttered or oppressive. Climbers and wall shrubs can often be used to make the most of vertical space and to hide fences.

Once you think about how the garden is viewed from different locations, then look at how you can improve each view by shaping it and placing a focal point to capture and hold attention. It does not have to be a statue, a specimen plant can often do the trick.