How to design a Japanese garden

Fountains and ponds, maple trees and bamboo, winding pathways and rocks... Sound good to you? If so, the good news is that you have lots of options. You can invite a bit of Japanese zen garden tranquility into your outdoor space with a few little touches here and there or even go all out with a fully themed space. From plants and structure to decorative touches, here are our top tips to create your own mini (or not so mini!) Japanese garden.

Consider yourself a bit of an artist? Well, that's good news because a Japanese garden is a bit like a painting. And right in the foreground you're going to want a splash of water. Don't have a garden pond? Go for a Japanese-style garden fountain and surround it with 'Ishi', or just some carefully selected worn stones picked up on a nature walk. The idea is to emulate the look of fallen rocks or the banks of a lake. In short, it's an opportunity to get creative!

Already have a Japanese maple or some bamboo in the garden? Lucky you! You might want to give the art of 'Niwaki' a go. Literally translating to 'garden tree' the process involves sculpting trees to restrict their growth, a bit like a bigger version of a bonzai. Otherwise, you can focus on low, ground cover-type vegetation like moss and ferns. Even a patio can be used to accommodate a mini Japanese garden. Some plants typically found in Japanese gardens do very well in pots. Slow spreading bamboo, lime moss and even little Japanese yews can be grown in wooden planters to transport you to the land of the rising sun (if only!).

If you love the idea and you have the space to pull it off, you can lay some traditional stepping stones. These large flat stones can form pathways to provide structure and add a touch of romance to the garden. This is really an opportunity to play with curves so forget the tape measure and have fun with different shaped stones! Trust us, you'll soon be right back to your school days playing hopscotch over your beautiful stones — and you won't have to step a foot on the lawn! Concrete stepping stones can be a good, durable option on a budget. The same goes for non-slip reconstituted stone. For fans of minimalism, go for a stripped-back Japanese dry garden that's all about stones, moss and carefully raked gravel.

Don't let all your efforts go to waste in the dark! Gently light up your Japanese garden with the help of a few pretty lanterns. Choose from options like bamboo pendant lights, solar lanterns or even candles for a glowing garden. A set of paper or rattan string lights can also help to create a festive vibe for sushi nights with friends!

Now your décor is sorted, it's time to think about comfort. After all, you're going to need a comfy seat to enjoy your little slice of Japan. Natural materials will blend in perfectly with the atmosphere you've created. Outdoor furniture crafted from materials like teak, eucalyptus and other exotic woods work very well. But more traditional materials like oak and pine can also do the job nicely. Woven resin furniture is a perfect match for Japanese gardens and can always be topped off with a few cushions in neutral tones like black, white or grey.

All that's left to do now is to bring a little personal touch to your space. A garden statue in the shape of a dragon? A set of wooden wind chimes for a soothing twinkling as the wind picks up? A kazamidori or Japanese-inspired weathervane? Origami cranes hung from a tree branch? A beautiful stone incense holder? Now is the time to get creative and add the finishing touches to really wow your guests. At this stage, there is only one rule: do exactly what you like!

Once you've picked out your Japanese-style ornaments, it's time to roll up your sleeves. One last quick tip: odd numbers are said to bring luck in Japanese culture. Whether you're picking plants or decorative objects, work in threes, fives or sevens to invite zen and harmony into your outdoor space.