Kim’s passion for gardening began at the age of 16, when he started working in a local garden centre. After completing his HNC in Horticultural & Landscaping Techniques, he went on to work for a landscaping firm, and has been creating bespoke garden makeovers for the last 17 years.

Here are Kim’s top tips for designing your dream outside space.

Planning is the key! Whether you’re aiming for a complete garden makeover, or a new patio or driveway, knowing exactly what you want and thinking about the practicalities is the first step.

The most important thing to decide is what you want to get out of your space.

If you’re looking for a new patio, think about the following:

• Is it for relaxing or entertaining?
• How big is your family and how many people need to fit around a table?
• Where will you put a BBQ? Take into account the smell, grease and food spillage.

If you want a safe, fun place for children, consider the following:

• How can you best position a pond or water feature?
• Can you use reclaimed sleepers as part of your design, safely?
• What are the long-term options for an area designed especially for children? How could you re-use this space once they’ve grown out of it?

If your driveway or front garden needs refreshing, ask yourself the following:

• What parking do you need, and for how many vehicles of what size?
• Where will you keep your rubbish bins?
• Do you want paving, blocks or gravel?
• Will surface water drainage comply with government regulations?
• Does space allow you to be creative and have your useable garden at the front of your property?

Many other important factors are often overlooked when creating the perfect outside area:

• Think about your surroundings – where are your neighbours?
• Where does the sun rise and set?
• Do you need a shaded area?
• Can you re-use anything in your current garden – soil, old paving or plants?
• What age is your house?
• What type of walls or fencing do you have round your garden?

Once you’ve worked out the practicalities, it’s time for the inspiration! Look at other people’s gardens, talk to a landscape gardener or check out Bowland’s gallery. But remember, nothing’s set in stone… you may find once your garden’s cleared it generates a whole host of new ideas!