The Principles of Garden Design and Their Application Beyond Landscapes

Gardens have been around for thousands of years. The first concept of gardens dates back to 1400 BCE starting in ancient Egypt [1]. Initial gardens were sanctuaries of water and shade where people could privately cool down. This same sentiment is still reflected in Middle Eastern and Hellenistic garden styles today. Now, gardens take on a similar role: allowing a quiet and beautiful space outside of the rush of everyday life. 

There are many different types of gardens and each serves a specific purpose. Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid, for example, is a botanical garden created by the Spanish royal family to preserve and study a variety of plants and their medicinal properties [2]. Community gardens like the ‘Art in the Garden’ project in Pittsburg, PA helps increase local access to fresh food while improving air and soil quality [3]. Central Park, one of the most visited urban parks in the United States, is considered a garden that provides the community with a place to gather, access to clean air, and a space away from busy city life [4]. All of these gardens were built with a goal in mind which shows how landscape design combines functionality, beauty, and maintainability—principles that apply to all areas of design.

 Figure 1: The Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid is featured in the city-center of Madrid.

Landscape design is built on seven integral principles: unity, balance, line, contrast, repetition, simplicity, and focalization. These principles don’t just apply to gardens—they can transfer to product and mechanical design when applied appropriately. Understanding how to carry these ideas into other disciplines can help designers of all kinds create more intentional, user-centered, and aesthetically compelling work.

Unity

Unity refers to the overall harmony of all the design elements to create a cohesive whole. It allows for each garden component to compliment the next, creating harmony and a consistent theme for the space. The principle of unity should be applied during the planning stage to ensure that the garden is cohesive and makes sense for its intended purpose. As designers, we can use this principle as a way of accounting for every detail. Is every element beneficial to the overall effectiveness of the product? Are aesthetics enhancing function, or simply adding clutter?

Balance

Balance is an equilibrium on both sides of a landscape space. However, it’s not strictly creating a complete mirror on two sides of a space—you can mix it up with one big element on one side and several small elements on the other. Balance gives gardens their peaceful, calming quality. In product design, balance relates not only to visual harmony but also to how well a product meets user needs. A well-balanced product performs its function efficiently while providing a satisfying user experience.

Line

Line dictates and defines smaller spaces and directs movement. Line is also important to direct where your eye follows and where you want people to walk. This can be determined using hardscape (concrete, rocks, stones, etc.) and contributes to the overall human-nature connection to the space. Within mechanical design, your lines on a product can direct the user toward important features. For example, a product interface might use lines to draw the eye toward a button or screen. The way you design lines can enhance both usability and aesthetic impact.

Contrast

Contrast describes two contradictory but complementary elements that work together to create visual interest. This principle adds energy and focus, making certain parts of a design stand out. A pop of pink among a sea of green or a stone path cutting through soft grass both create contrast. As designers, look for the features of your design we want people to look at. Then, highlight it using a contrasting color, texture, or size. Contrast is a tool for emphasis.

Repetition

Repetition reinforces patterns and creates rhythm in a space. In garden design, this might mean repeating certain plants or colors. It’s especially important when working with annuals and perennials, helping tie the design together across seasons. In branding and product design, repetition builds familiarity and consistency. When customers recognize a repeating design element across your products, it creates brand unity and builds trust. 

Simplicity

Simplicity is prioritizing the most important designs and focal points and getting rid of excess. It’s  cost effective, intentional, and allows key features to have their moment. We can adopt this same principle as we look at cost and usability. In engineering and product design, the KISS principle—“Keep It Simple, Stupid”—reminds us that simplicity often leads to the best user experience [7]. A clean, straightforward design is more likely to be understood and used effectively.

Focalization/Emphasis

Focalization (emphasis) is about creating a standout feature that gives the space a visual anchor. This could be a water feature, a raised garden bed, or a seating area. The focal point should contribute to the purpose of the space without overwhelming it. As designers, we need to use emphasis to help users instantly understand what matters most—whether it’s a primary function, a call-to-action, or a signature element of your design.

Figure 2: This landscape design features all seven design principles while accounting for its limited space.

Conclusion

Gardens are more than just decorative spaces—they are designed with intention and serve meaningful roles in communities, homes, and history. As designers, our goal is to keep people at the center of our work. These garden design concepts not only are user-centered, but keep in mind the overall role and purpose of the garden. When applied thoughtfully, these principles can help us design products, systems, and experiences that are not only functional, but meaningful.

Works cited 

[1] Eckbo, Garrett and Clifford, Derek Plint. “Historical development in garden and landscape design.” Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/art/garden-and-landscape-design/Historical-development. Accessed 30 March 2025.

[2] “Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid and Casimiro Gómez-Ortega.” Dumbarton Oaks, https://www.doaks.org/resources/online-exhibits/botany-of-empire/gardens/novarum-aut-rariorum-plantarum-horti-reg-botan-matrit-descriptionum-decades. Accessed 6 April 2025. 

[3] “Get inspired with these 3 successful community gardens.” Ioby, 8 April 2019, https://ioby.org/resources/get-inspired-with-these-3-successful-community-gardens/. Accessed 6 April 2025. 

[4] Sain-Baird, Jessica. “How Central Park Keeps New York City Healthy.” Central Park Conservancy, 25 April 2017, https://www.centralparknyc.org/articles/park-city-healthy. Accessed 6 April 2025. 

[5] “The 7 principles of landscape design.” Eichenlaub, https://eichenlaub.com/7-principles-of-landscape-design/. Accessed 6 April 2025. 

[6] “Water Wise Landscape Design:

Principles of Landscape Design.” Colorado State University, https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/413.pdf. Accessed 15 April 2025. 

[7] “Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS).” Interaction Design Foundation, https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/keep-it-simple-stupid#:~:text=Keep%20it%20simple%2C%20stupid%20(KISS)%20is%20a%20design%20principle,of%20user%20acceptance%20and%20interaction. Accessed 15 April 2025. 

To cite this article:

Sunday, Emelia. “The Principles of Garden Design and Their Application Beyond Landscapes.” The BYU Design Review, 21 April 2025, https://www.designreview.byu.edu/collections/the-principles-of-garden-design.