Your garden should be an extension of your home, which means it can be used by everyone. For families with kids, this means creating a garden that not only looks good, but is accessible, safe and fun.
As a leading garden designer, Andy Stedman Design understands that every outdoor space is unique. We have helped many homeowners renovate their gardens and create the landscape they have always dreamed of, including families with small children.
Family-friendly garden design is a unique blend of adult style with child-safe functionality, and usually requires a professional touch to get right. In this guide, we are relying on our experience and skills to share everything you need to know about family-friendly garden design and how you can create a garden that is suitable for everyone.
Family-friendly garden design is a specific form of landscaping that centres on creating an outdoor space suitable for people of all ages. It is a way for families with children to design a garden that tends to their every need, including the safety and engagement of their kids.
This form of garden design is unique because it combines adult style and outdoor living elements, with safety and accessibility for kids. Family-friendly garden design aims to create a space that is as engaging, safe and attractive for people of all ages.
Three main principles of family-friendly garden design will play a huge role in your renovation:
As family-friendly garden design is aimed at children, safety needs to be a primary concern at every corner. The landscape needs to be accessible and hazard-free so children can roam freely and play safely.
Through design techniques such as visibility in layout, smooth transitions between outdoor surfaces and spaces, and an overall focus on eliminating hazards, it is possible to create a garden that encourages play without worry.
Flexibility is a key principle of family-friendly garden design because your garden needs to be able to adapt with you. With growing children and varying needs, your landscape needs to be able to handle a range of challenges.
When designing a family-friendly garden, we consider the wider picture and how the garden can withstand the test of time. This can be done through features such as adaptable garden zones, such as the lawn play area, that can be adjusted along with your children’s changing needs.
While kids are the primary focus in family-friendly garden design, they are not the only ones who will be using the garden. This is why family gardens need to be multi-functional, often featuring defined garden zones and separate areas for adults and children.
We appreciate that parents need a place to unwind and relax, while being able to keep an eye on their kids, which is why family-friendly garden design is multifunctional. A combination of adult spaces, such as outdoor kitchens or sleek patios, along with children’s play areas or shock-absorbing surfaces, is required to ensure the garden works for both play and relaxation.
To learn more about the principles of garden design and what it takes to create a stunning outdoor space, see our post Garden Design Principles 101: Essential Elements of a Beautiful Garden.
Using these key principles of family-friendly garden design, it is time to begin creating your ideal outdoor space. This environment is designed for both adults and children, encouraging quality time, relaxation and play.
Spending time outdoors can be extremely beneficial for children’s development, and your garden can become a key space for them with the right design.
Lawns are a key part of family-friendly garden design, as they often form the foundation for your entire outdoor space. Lawn areas can serve as a flexible play space for children, providing a safe environment for them as they grow.
This is why having a clear, open lawn space is vital in family-friendly garden design. This can be a key area for your kids, allowing them to play sports or engage in free play without concern. Whether artificial or real grass, lawn areas are soft, safe spaces that can also offer visual appeal to the landscape.
It is recommended to place the lawn in the centre of the garden, where it can be seen from all angles, including inside the home. This allows you to keep an eye on your children whether you are sunbathing on the deck, having dinner on the patio, or inside the home.
Planting is a key part of any successful garden design, and it can play a large role in your family-friendly landscape. However, you cannot add any plant or flower to your garden when it is being used by people of all ages, and some may be toxic or dangerous.
Family-friendly garden design should stay clear of harmful and highly toxic plants such as Monkshood, Nerium Oleander, and Deadly Nightshade, which are extremely poisonous. It is also recommended to avoid seeds and berries, such as castor oil plants, foxglove, Laburnum and Daphne mezereum. These may seem attractive, and draw the attention of children with their colours and bright berries, but are extremely dangerous.
Instead, rely on child-safe planting such as:
Another great way to incorporate planting into your family-friendly garden design is to create a vegetable plot or planting space, specifically for kids. Raised planters can be extremely beneficial for this, as they are easy to access and separate from other areas of the garden.
With kid-friendly planting areas, children can get their hands dirty, engage in active play, and develop essential skills while playing outdoors.
While the lawn may be your primary play area, the safety does not stop here. Other surfaces throughout your garden also need to be safe and soft, allowing children to run, play and roam freely throughout the entire space.
Shock-absorbing materials such as grass, resin paving, and play bark should be used in the garden, especially in the designated play areas. Whether around play equipment or simply to encourage free play, avoid using sleek, hard-wearing materials like porcelain or gravel around children.
The mix of materials is a great way to define garden zones and create separate areas for children and adults. They can blend seamlessly with your property style or with the rest of the garden design through the colours used. For example, natural stone resin can complement wooden decking and traditional properties.
Working with a professional garden designer, like our team, is the best way to create an attractive and safe family-friendly garden. We have the skills and experience necessary to offer a comprehensive service, taking your ideas from the page to real life with professionalism.
We have worked with many clients over the years, designing high-end gardens to complement all needs. Our services can be customised to your specifications, including a family-friendly garden design. We will ensure that your garden is suitable for the whole family and offers the lifestyle enhancement you desire.
To determine whether we are the right choice for you, see our post How to Choose the Right Garden Designer for Your Project.
Family-friendly garden design is complex, as it requires a combination of child-safe areas with an adult style. By incorporating features such as soft surfacing, safe yet sensory planting, and defined garden zones, you can create an outdoor space that is suitable for the whole family.
As leading garden designers, Andy Stedman Design can help you achieve your vision. We offer a comprehensive garden design service, creating high-end landscapes across the region.
To learn more about our services or to request a consultation, please contact the team today.
Use clear, intentional zoning, such as separating play areas from dining and relaxation spaces with planting, edging, or changes in surface texture. This keeps the garden functional for adults while giving children a safe, defined area for play. A professional garden design can help these zones flow seamlessly without feeling cluttered.
Some of the best low-maintenance plants for family-friendly gardens include lavender, dogwood and sedum. These are non-toxic and can offer visual and sensory appeal throughout the year.
For compact gardens, opt for multifunctional features such as built-in seating with storage, small raised beds for children’s planting, and vertical surfaces for climbing plants or sensory elements. Choosing lightweight play items that can be packed away helps maintain a clean, open feel while also ensuring family-friendly garden design.
