November is here, the leaves are falling, and most of us have retreated indoors. But Winter is actually the best time to plan your dream garden. By finalising your vision and securing your trusted local landscaper now, you ensure your project is at the front of the queue. Planning your hardscaping—everything from patios and paths to retaining walls—in November guarantees you beat the spring rush and your beautiful new outdoor space is ready to enjoy as soon as the sun returns.
Here are five key landscaping trends that will define gardens in Portishead and Bristol in 2026, helping you plan your perfect outdoor space.
Gone are the days of small, fussy flagstones. Large-format paving is dominating modern design, and porcelain is the material of choice.
Why it's trending: Porcelain tiles come in huge formats (up to 1200mm x 600mm), which means we install your patio with minimal grout lines for a cleaner, more expansive look. For customers in and around Portishead, the main advantage is durability. Porcelain is non-porous and highly resistant to stains, fading, and—crucially—it withstands the relentless coastal salt and wind we experience due to our location on the Severn Estuary.
Porcelain is perfect for achieving that highly sought-after seamless flow between your home and the garden. By laying the same large format tile both indoors and out (or choosing a perfectly matched colour), we can make your patio feel like a natural extension of your kitchen or living area, blurring the lines between the two spaces. Choose muted grey or warm taupe colours for a sleek, contemporary finish.
The way we eat outside has changed! Outdoor dining is now more than just a barbecue; it’s a permanent, fully functional kitchen, built right into your patio. This requires careful planning to make sure that the water and power connections are right from the start.
Why it’s popular: Homeowners now want spaces that are perfect for entertaining and that will add value to their home. Adding built-in elements like worktops, sinks, fridges, and pizza ovens makes hosting effortless and adds fantastic functionality to your garden.
How we build it: We'll design your cooking area using tough, easy-to-clean materials like granite or concrete worktops. Handling all of the hidden technical details, ensuring all plumbing and electrical lines are safely and neatly hidden beneath durable paving, we'll ensure your outdoor kitchen is instantly ready for any appliance.
Vertical landscaping is a fantastic way to introduce greenery and softness without sacrificing valuable patio or dining area.
Why it’s popular: Vertical gardens add dramatic texture, while landscaping features walls (finished with materials like timber cladding or stone veneers) provide sophisticated, low-maintenance backdrops for your key entertaining zones or lighting.
Stop thinking of your garden as one big space! Modern design moves away from single, vast patios and focuses on Defined Zoning, which is like creating separate outdoor rooms. Different hardscaping materials are used to clearly mark specific areas for different uses—whether you're dining, relaxing, or cooking.
Why it’s popular: Defining these zones adds visual interest and magically makes your whole garden feel larger and more purposeful. It also gives you more flexibility to use high-end materials where they matter most, helping you manage your budget across the entire space.
Don't make the mistake of waiting until spring when every landscaper's diary is full! Use this quieter November period to secure your winter design consultation with us.
Planning now means we can dedicate the necessary time to perfect your detailed design, finalise all specifications, and lock in your installation slot in our diary, ensuring your beautiful new space is completed in time for the return of the sunshine.
Ready to start designing your dream space? Call Nick White Landscaping now to book your consultation and avoid the spring rush!
Mobile: 07725 817863
Or, if you'd prefer, you can fill out the form in your own time with details of what you're looking for and we'll get back to you shortly with an estimate.
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Areas covered: Portishead, Clevedon, Yatton, Weston-super-Mare, Weston in Gordano, Nailsea, Avonmouth Bristol, and all surrounding areas in North Somerset.
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