How to Design a Garden Planting Feature With Pavers and Pots

Measure the width and length at the widest and longest point of the area where you want to transform to determine the number of pavers you need. Step outside at different times of the day to check the amount of sunlight the area receives, so you can select potted plants according to the sunlight exposure.

Transfer the measurements to a graph paper. Use a square to represent 1/2 to 1 foot of space. Highlight the outline of the area you will pave to determine the shape of the enclosed garden. Depending on personal preference, you can keep the original shape or change it slightly by making the edges slightly rounded to enhance the appearance. Include a key at a corner of the graph paper that highlights what each colored pencil you will use stands for.

Select the boundary and represent it accordingly. Ideas include natural fencing such as boxwood or other short hedges, a small wall or fencing. Use a green pencil if you opt for the hedge, brown for a wall and off-white for a fence.

Determine the entry point for the planting area. Keep it in the middle of a side or on a corner, away from buildings or nearby structures for ease of entry and exit.

Decide the type of pavers you want to install over the ground. Pavers are available in a wide variety of materials including concrete, brick and stone (granite and flagstone). Each type features a myriad of shapes, sizes and colors. Select the type that blends with the exterior of your house and meets your budget. You can use the same color of pavers throughout, create a zig-zag pattern using two bold colors or use a bolder color to outline the space.

Consider a focal point in the feature, such as a circular arrangement of pots in the center highlighted by an attractive star or circular arrangement of pavers underneath, a fountain or fish pond. Add a bench or two nearby to provide seating.

Determine the location of pots. Place pots in isolation and form islands by grouping them together to represent "garden beds" for added appeal. Use planters, urns and a variety of small and large pots that accommodate a host of plants, flowers or herbs. Space islands sufficiently apart to provide easy passage between them. You can also arrange pots in ascending order, with the smaller ones in the front and taller ones in the back.