Garden Design Essentials: Achieving Visual Balance

Balance is deeply ingrained in our DNA. We couldn't walk without it. We feel peace in visually balanced scenes; agitation when things appear off-balance. We instinctively know "good balance" but can we explain how and why a balanced environment moves us?

According to Marjorie Elliott Bevlin, author of Design Through Discovery, balance is a basic characteristic of all art, divided into three categories:

• Asymmetrical: Both halves express same visual weight but positioned unevenly. Like a scale or seesaw—balance by shift in weight on both sides of a central fulcrum.
• Symmetrical (bilateral): Both sides equal, mirror images. Like the human body and most clothing.
• Radial: Balance emanates from a central core like sunflower rays or wheel spokes. "Perhaps the most dynamic type, connoting explosive action," Bevlin writes.

Understanding balance lets us decipher why a designed landscape succeeds or fails. Here are eye-catching examples.

Asymmetrical Balance

A modern entry garden balanced by clever use of lines, materials, plants. Graphic entry path creates visual volume equal to front door. Color-block planting bed echoes window volume. Thoughtfully designed space using geometry for playful balance.

No symmetrical elements in this contemporary patio, yet components feel balanced thanks to rectilinear design "blocks" aligned perpendicularly and horizontally with the home's facade. Stepping-stone "carpet" and oat grasses balance solid concrete patio and pool. Asymmetrical arrangement makes textures exciting.

Asymmetrically aligned with the house, a long narrow walkway is often difficult. Here the designer uses exaggerated space: a lush, densely planted shade bed more than balances the linear walk. Urn's presence lends importance and adds a non-plant element.

Symmetrical Balance

Classic but not dated, this French country–inspired residence relies on symmetrical balance. Bubbling fountain in auto court aligned perfectly with front door; four olive trees placed two per side. Garage attached left, visually balanced by dense hedging right.

Elegant entry garden expresses symmetrical balance with curved and straight lines. Walkway, front door, trees, columns in perfect alignment—space feels settled and secure. Gentle lawn curve repeats eyebrow-shaped gable above door; together they soften geometric space.

Radial Balance

Seen in a perfectly round cobblestone patio in a quiet shade garden. A traditional flagstone or concrete slab would appear ordinary. Radial design energizes and enlivens.

Slats of this circular arbor span outward like an open fan, creating a dynamic architectural point of view. Perfectly aligned with distant home, radial lines add interest to formal landscape.

A Hybrid Approach

A private semiformal courtyard illustrates symmetrical balance with a hint of radial. Aligned with urn and gate, a gravel path moves through center, balanced with herbs both sides. At a small circular focal point, path splits into two matching crescents; they continue around urn and reconnect. Adding a circular detail to a straight path turns ordinary into special.

This abundant entry garden feels thoroughly balanced, drawing on both symmetrical and asymmetrical elements. Flagstone path creates strong straight axis to front door. Many plants mirror each side, including two shade trees flanking the path. But freely flowing annuals and perennials prevent perfection—nothing too matchy-matchy. That's why we're charmed.

The pair of raised planters on either side of the wood corridor combines symmetrical and asymmetrical aspects. Same stone, square proportions. But different textures, shapes, colors of vegetation in each planter infuse asymmetrical balance.

More:
A Fine Balance Makes the Space