How to Plan a Garden Redesign That Suits Your Lifestyle

Do you ever step into your backyard and feel like it doesn’t really match the way you and your family live? And if you could redesign your garden so it actually fits how you relax, entertain, and spend time together, would you say yes to that? A great garden isn’t just about nice plants or a neat lawn. It’s about creating outdoor spaces that work for your real life. You may want a spot for weekend BBQs, a safe area for kids to play, a quiet corner to unwind, or all of the above. When you plan your garden around your lifestyle, it becomes an extension of your home rather than just an extra space to maintain.

Let’s go through simple ways to plan a garden redesign in NZ that suits how you live, entertain, and relax.

7 Simple ways to plan a garden that fits your lifestyle

A garden redesign works best when it matches how you actually use your outdoor space day to day, not just how it looks in photos. 

Here are simple ways to align your garden with how you live, entertain, and relax.

1. Start with how you really live, not just how it looks

Before you think about plants or paving, think about your life:

• Do you have friends and whānau over often?
• Do kids or pets need space to run around?
• Do you like quiet time outside with a coffee or a book?

Write down the top 3 ways you want to use your garden. These become the “jobs” your outdoor space needs to do. When you’re clear on this first, every design decision becomes easier.

2. Create simple zones for different activities 

Lifestyle landscaping is really about zones. Instead of one big, vague lawn, break your garden into clear areas, for example:

• Entertaining zone: deck or patio with seating and maybe a BBQ.
• Play zone: safe space for kids or pets – lawn, soft surface, or courtyard.
• Quiet zone: a small corner with a bench, chair, or hammock.
• Practical zone: washing line, bins, shed, veggie garden.

You don’t need big walls or fences. Changes in level, surface, and planting can gently separate these spaces while keeping everything connected.

3. Place your entertaining area where it actually works 

If you love having people over, make your entertaining space easy to use:

• Keep it close to the house, especially the kitchen or living area.
• Allow enough room for a table, chairs, and space to move around.
• Think about shade and shelter from wind and rain – very important in NZ.

It makes it easy to carry food and drinks, and means you’ll actually use the space more often, not just a few times a year.

4. Make play and pet areas tough and safe

For families and pet owners, your garden redesign should be practical as well as pretty:

• Choose strong, durable grass or artificial turf in high-use areas.
• Avoid spiky or toxic plants where kids or pets spend time.
• Make sure fencing and gates are secure so you can relax while they play.
• Leave open space for running, ball games, or a small play structure.

This way, your garden can handle real life, muddy shoes, zooming dogs, and energetic kids.

5. Match plants and materials to the time you actually have

Be honest about how much maintenance you’re willing to do:

• If you’re busy, choose low-maintenance shrubs, groundcovers, and NZ natives that suit your climate.
• Use mulch to reduce weed growth and help the soil retain moisture.
• Keep lawn areas to the size you’re happy to mow and edge regularly.
• Pick hardwearing surfaces (pavers, decking, gravel) in high-traffic zones.

Your garden should fit your energy levels, not make you feel guilty every weekend.

6. Think about sun, shade, and comfort in every season

In New Zealand, sun and wind make a huge difference to how comfortable your garden feels:

• Notice where the sun lands in the morning, during the day, and in the evening.
• Place seating where you’ll enjoy warmth but not get cooked in summer.
• Use pergolas, umbrellas, trees, or screens to create shade and block strong winds.

When your garden feels good to be in, not too hot, cold, or windy, you’ll naturally spend more time outside.

7. Make moving between the house and the garden easy

The easier it is to step outside, the more you’ll use your outdoor space:

• Create clear, safe paths to key areas (deck, washing line, play area, shed).
• Make paths wide enough for two people, prams, or carrying trays.
• Add simple outdoor lighting so you can use the garden comfortably in the evening.

Good flow between indoors and outdoors makes your garden feel like a natural extension of your home.

Design a garden that truly fits your life with Zones

At Zones Landscaping NZ, we specialise in lifestyle landscaping. We listen to how you and your family actually use your space, then design and build a garden that matches your routines, priorities, and budget. From cosy entertaining areas to kid-friendly lawns and low-maintenance planting, we bring everything together in a clear, step-by-step process.

If you’re ready to turn your backyard into a space that finally feels “just right” for your lifestyle, get in touch with Zones NZ and let us help you plan a garden redesign made for you.