Every area of gardening is covered here - from deciding and drawing up detailed plans, to creating and planting the garden of your dreams. Trouble-shooting tips, checklists and plant lists offer user- friendly advice. Ideas, from water features to decking, are included.

This guide to making and maintaining a stylish, contemporary outdoor living space covers every area of gardening, from deciding on a design and drawing up detailed plans, to creating and planting the garden of your dreams. Trouble-shooting tips, checklists and plant lists offer user-friendly, at-a-glance advice. Step-by-step photography provides fresh ideas for garden projects, from water features to decking. Whether you have a tiny suburban plot, a rooftop patio, or a weed-ridden courtyard, you should find inspiration and advice here.

Part 1 Making plans: assessing the plot
preparing a plan. Part 2 Styling space: urban, contemporary
formal
courtyard garden
front garden
informal garden
low-maintenacne garden
foliage
plant lover's garden
wildlife garden
oriental-style garden
roof garden. Part 3 Small issues: maximizing space
enhancing space
creating privacy
disguising essentials. Part 4 Modern surface: design considerations
hard landscaping materials
changes of level
paving
decks and decking
gravel
lawns. Part 5 Beautiful boundaries: walls
stylish fences and simple screens
hedges
entrances and exits. Part 6 Creative touches: water garden basics
scree and gravel gardens
raised bed
rock garden
pergolas and arches
obelisks and tripods
ornaments
mirrors, mosaics and trompe l'oeil. Part 7 Elegant containers: conventional containers
unusual containers
seasonal displays
grouping and moving containers
windowboxes and hanging baskets
planting tips and maintenacne. Part 8 Effective planting: small plants for a small space
plant shapes and positioning
creating structure
planning a border
year-round interest
using colour
small-scale kitchen garden
planting tips and maintenance. Part 9 City sanctuaries: the urban garden
design features
successful planting. Part 10 The outdoor living room: seating (benches and seats)
furniture (tables and chairs)
dining and entertaining
lighting
children.