Create a hint of the seaside wherever you are with this easy-care garden look

1. Ideal for a small courtyard or patio garden, coastal style is a low-maintenance option that would suit a hot, sunny site.

2. Mix cobbles, gravel and decking and add some weathered driftwood for classic seaside style.

3. Furniture should be smart, sleek and streamlined, or rustic painted pieces with a touch of beach-house chic. For fabrics, choose soft neutrals or seaside stripes.

4. Opt for plants that are drought-tolerant, including aromatic evergreen Mediterranean types, scented lavender, alpines and elegant grasses in soft colours.

5. Mix Accessories, from galvanised metal and enamel to weathered wood and painted pieces in coastal blues, reds and yellows.

This style can be as formal or relaxed as you like, just keep it refined and chic

1. The timeless look of a traditional, country-house garden is best suited to medium-sized and large outdoor spaces.

2. Create different zones or 'rooms' in a bigger garden, such as dining spaces and seating areas, all united with pathways. Planting schemes can include specific varieties to mark each zone, such as a rose garden, rock garden, herb bed or wooded glade.

3. Choose paving with soft indentations and subtle shading to create a time-worn appearance.

4. Elegant Furniture suits this look. Try classic pieces in wrought iron, teak or rattan, which will stand the test of time and look better with age.

5. Accessories should blend into the garden or add a decorative focal point. Choose cast iron, terracotta, glassware, copper or brass.

Whether you go for a bold Mediterranean or tropical look, make sure it looks bright

1. This style is ideal for a small enclosed town garden or roof terrace, as it can really maximise every inch of space.

2. Terracotta tile paving has the right warm colour and feel underfoot, and works especially well in courtyard and patio gardens.

3. Choose bold colours found in the plants common to Greece, Turkey and Italy, such as fuchsia, bougainvillea and lemon trees.

4. Furniture can be rustic painted wood or wrought iron. Alternatively, build rendered concrete benches, paint them white or in bright tones, and cover with cushions.

5. Dot oversized planters and pots around your space for a quick-to-establish, low-maintenance garden.

Inject some bold, brash colour and fun features to create a haven for children

1. A family garden should have an easy-going, informal style containing elements that appeal to everyone.

2. Choose easily grown, low-maintenance and child-friendly plants, such as shrubs, groundcover and a specimen (immature) tree to plant in the lawn.

3. Practical and robust furniture is the best option. Go for durable materials like stainless steel, and also invest in small-scale pieces specially designed for little ones.

4. A playhouse, sand pit or tent will add the fun factor.

5. Invest in lawn turf, which will withstand ball games and busy playtimes.

6. Encourage children to help with the garden by buying them a miniature gardening set, complete with watering can, tool set and colourful gardening gloves.

Smart, cool and contemporary, this is a minimal style with lots of striking details

1. The modern-chic look works best for streamlined, contemporary houses and urban roof gardens.

2. Just a few plants in strong, eye-catching shapes is all you need to make an impact. Go for interesting textures and bold large-scale varieties with lots of foliage, such as bamboo or fatsia.

3. Create an outdoor room with space for dining and lounging. A firepit makes a great focal point and is ideal for taking away the evening chill when entertaining.

4. Wooden decking, largeformat paving or shiny slabs, like granite or slate, will look great underfoot.

5. Glass, chrome and wood furniture in sleek, contemporary shapes will suit this unfussy style of garden.

6. Choose just a few stylish accessories– less is more with this look.