How to Design an Oriental Garden Layout

Measure the space you have in mind for an oriental garden. The principle behind these gardens is to mimic nature; in addition, they are designed in proportion to the space available in which to create them. If the space is small, the garden elements will also be small, yet functional. If the space is large, large rocks and benches can be used.

Mark the dimensions of the garden on the grid paper using a pencil. Having a map of the area for the oriental garden will help you lay out the elements of the garden so when you are ready to build or plant it, you will be able to use the blueprint you are creating.

As you choose the elements you want for your oriental garden, place marks on the grid paper. Many plant catalogs or books give the height and width dimensions of plants that will be useful when selecting the plants for the garden and where to use them in the area you have defined for the garden.

Choose the elements you prefer and find soothing for your oriental garden. Proportion and the use of natural elements are important. A water feature like a small pond or a running stream is authentic in nature, whereas a water fountain is not. Another design principle of oriental gardens is to include "white space." Oriental gardens are not crowded with statuary or plants. Instead, they focus on individual design elements. Crowding in lots of objects hinders people from being able to truly relax or meditate in one of these gardens.

Divide the space into separate areas if there is enough space, and use pathways to lead the visitor from one space to another. The pathways need to be defined by rock or gravel edges. Each distinct area has a centerpiece, and if the landscape in the yard already has mature trees or shrubs, use those rather than tearing them out and replacing them. While these landscape designs use plants for accents, they are not found in great abundance.