Tops trends for 2024: How to create your own Zen garden

Tops trends for 2024: How to create your own Zen garden

If the warmer weather has you out in the garden and you’re wondering how you can up the ante on your space for the summer, you’re in the right place. At Bridge Street Stone, we’re experts in all things gardens - especially when it comes to Indian sandstone - and we love helping our customers create their dream gardens!


Our team likes to stay informed about what’s popular within the gardening community so we can keep our customers in the know. Today, we’re talking about Japanese zen gardens and how you can transform your outdoor space into a serene and tranquil retreat that is perfect for relaxation.

The basics of a zen garden

Zen gardens have a rich history rooted in Japanese culture and Buddhism. They serve as a space for meditation and reflection and typically feature elements like rocks, sand, and plants arranged in a way that embodies simplicity and, most importantly, balance. The design of Zen gardens focuses on creating symbolic versions of more prominent aspects of nature, such as using rocks for mountains and water features to represent rivers, creating a miniature landscape meant to bring about a sense of peace.

Essential elements of any Zen garden

You don't have to include everything from this list in your garden. It's just here to guide you in the right direction. It's your space, after all! You don't even have to convert your entire space into a zen garden. You could just carve out a small area in your garden for your new exterior adventure. It needs to feel right for you, and if the prospect of a complete garden restructure doesn't appeal to you, that's totally fine. Typically, though, there are a few key elements you'll see in Zen gardens that help characterise the space, so if you can get a couple of these in, you're good to go. They are as follows:

Rocks

In a zen garden, rocks and gravel are essential elements that capture the essence of nature. When choosing rocks, aim for a variety of sizes and shapes to represent natural formations like mountains. Arrange them in clusters that mirror the organic patterns found in nature, creating a serene and balanced landscape.

Sand

Raking patterns into sand is an incredibly popular feature of many zen gardens. It's thought to promote mindfulness and clarity. If you're thinking of including this feature in your zen garden, we recommend choosing white or light-coloured sand to give off a sense of serenity and spaciousness.

Plants

When adding plants to your Zen garden, aim for a minimalistic look. Low-maintenance plants such as moss, ferns, and small shrubs that thrive in your local climate are always the best options since they look great and aren't overly demanding to take care of. These plants will bring a touch of greenery and vitality to your garden without overwhelming the space.

Indian sandstone paving

Indian sandstone paving is the perfect combination of practicality and beauty for your Zen garden. You can use it to create inviting pathways that lead visitors through your garden or to define peaceful seating areas where you can relax with a good book. Natural shades like Autumn Brown, and Raj Tumbled complement the earthy tones of rocks and gravel and bring a touch of warmth and sophistication to your garden.

At the end of the day, though, it's about what you want in your garden, and we have way more shades of beautiful Indian sandstone paving available other than Autumn Brown and Raj Tumbled, such as Kota Black, Kandla Grey, and Golden Leaf. So, if you're considering building a zen garden and would like help choosing your stones, we're only a phone call away. Get in touch with our friendly team today on 01282 860571, and we'll be happy to help!