One of the many decisions you will have to make when beautifying your little patch of earth is what colour scheme to use in the garden. And it may be more important than you think – in fact, many studies have shown that different colours can have profound effects on our moods and behaviours.
We are surrounded by colour in our daily lives. Research has demonstrated that the hues used in our clothing, interiors and landscapes can make us happy when we’re feeling sad, or confident when we’re feeling fearful. Neutral colours have been shown to make a person feel calm – and what could be better than that in our outdoor spaces!
Of course, many traditional gardens are simply riotous with different colours. So, you may wonder how to best create a neutral garden colour scheme. Here are our best tips and tricks.
What are neutral colours?
Neutrals are subtle shades, and include white, grey, black, beige, taupe, cream, tan and brown. These colours have a calming effect, particularly when combined with a pared-back garden design.
In fact, neutrals are great for balancing out bright colours. And they give the eyes a rest, which makes them especially useful in the garden. They can either be used as a transition tool (e.g. a neutral gravel path that leads from one part of the garden to another) or used to create a completely neutral garden colour scheme for maximum calming impact.
How to create a neutral garden colour scheme
Focus on texture and form
Neutrals can be calming – but we don’t want our garden to be boring. When opting for a neutral garden colour scheme, you can still create visual points of interest through the use of different textures and forms. Use plants that are different shapes and sizes, incorporate a meandering pathway or stepping stones that weave through your garden, and add layers and depth through a variety of shrubs, climbers and trees.
Stick with neutral hardscape materials
When planning hardscape projects such as walkways, retaining walls, paved areas, fire pits, arches or trellises, choosing neutral-coloured materials will help the space look more natural and blend into the garden better. Plus these shades are timeless and will give you better value for money in the long run, rather than choosing on-trend colours that may be out of fashion in a few years.
Natural White Cobblestone Paving, Redcor Steel Garden Rings, Sandstone Organic Stepping Stones or Gardenwall Flushface Retaining Wall Blocks are all great neutral choices. Natural rocks also have many uses in the garden, from rock gardens to water features. Decomposed Granite makes a great neutral base for pathways, driveways or between pavers, and also looks fantastic with Australian natives.
Opt for understated plants
Clumped masses of plants look fantastic in a neutral-themed garden. Australian natives are particularly great for offering interesting forms and textures in subtle shades. Alternatively, a garden of green and white is a timeless, neutral colour combination.
Turf often plays a starring role in a neutral garden colour scheme. Don’t underestimate the power of simple greens with natural hardscape materials. TifTuf Turf, for example, is a great grass that will maintain its green hue in even the toughest of conditions.
TifTuf Turf’s leaf density means that it can cope with a lot of foot or pet traffic. It can also do well in full sun or shade. It has been bred to withstand drought conditions, so will also save you water, time and money.
Having trouble with your garden colour scheme?
If you need a little help mastering your garden colour scheme, don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Here at Rock’n’Soil, we can point you in the direction of all the mato suit your neutral colour palette.
Once you’ve established a neutral colour scheme in your garden, you might like to start a new DIY project or add some points of interest to your plot of land. Check out our how to page and our product page for everything you need to get started. And remember you can contact the expert team at Rock’n’Soil any time – we would love to help you with your garden needs.