Garden Design Ideas That Incorporate A Riverside

If you live by a river then designing your garden so that you make the most of it is probably high on your list of priorities. Oftentimes, the presence of a body of water nearby will be why you first fell in love with a property in the first place. Rivers create a sense of connection to other places in a garden environment because they flow from here to there and because they open up the vista. Whether you have a riverside property, or own one that sits next to a lake, make the water the focal point of your garden design.

Orientation.

Riverside house1

If you have a plot of land next to a river and plan to self build your home, orientate it towards the river. Of course, if your home already occupies a plot away from the river, there is little you can do without starting again. If so, consider an extension that will make the most of the water front, or an out building that you can use in the summer to while away the longer evenings next to the course.

Riverside house1

Alternatively, make a pathway that runs from your home to the river’s edge, to connect the spaces. If you can, install additional windows that overlook the river side view and don’t be afraid to make your main viewing point on the first floor.

Balustrades.

Riverside house1

If you have an area of decking, or a porch, that overlooks your river side it is best to offer some protection with a good balustrade. Even if the river is not deep, a balustrade will mean you can relax and enjoy the view without worrying so much about young children. If your home is separated from the river by an area of garden then this becomes less necessary, but considering the safety of guests ought to be in your mind if you live near to the water.

Embankments.

Riverside house1

 

If your want to get close to the water’s edge and, perhaps, enjoy a little fishing, making the river flow along an embankment may be for you. A concrete embankment can look architecturally pleasing as well as being functional, affording you a clear definition between land and water. If the land falls away steeply before the water’s edge, then a man made embankment will mean that you have a flat space to enjoy the river from.

The Parkland Look.

Riverside house1
Riverside house1

Designing your garden so that it resembles parkland is a great look, if you are lucky enough to have a river running alongside your property. Get the look by planting trees extensively. This will create a bit of privacy for your home, if the river is navigable by others, and present a mature, settled-in, look. The parkland garden design is great, when viewed from the river, because the sense is doubled by the water’s reflective properties.

Jetties. Riverside house1
Riverside house1

Install a jetty into the river, even if you don’t own a boat. There’s something about being able to stroll out on one to enjoy the water that makes them so appealing. Set out some sun loungers on your jetty and simply relax whilst the sun goes down.

Make You Own Waterway.

Riverside house1

If you like the river side look but don’t live next to one, then all is not lost. Most professional garden designers will have some experience with water features. Creating even a modest, man made river may be costly, but it probably won’t set you back as much as moving to a river side address.

Boat Houses. Riverside house1
Riverside house1

Messing about on the river is a romantic notion that resides within most of us. These days, boat house designs are much more than just river side garages. If you have a boat to store, two storey boat houses, that also double as a summer houses, are very on trend. Twin aspect boat houses that make the best of the view are certainly worth considering, so that you can see through it. And if you really love the river side life, why not live on a moored house boat?

Picture sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.