How to Incorporate a Trampoline in Your Garden Design

A Guide to Creating a Beautiful and Functional Outdoor Space

A trampoline can be one of the best investments you make for your garden — it promotes active play, brings families together, and encourages kids to spend more time outdoors. However, without thoughtful planning, a trampoline can also look like an awkward afterthought that dominates the lawn or disrupts the garden’s aesthetics.

So how do you incorporate a trampoline into your garden design in a way that’s both stylish and practical?

Whether you’re designing a garden from scratch or retrofitting an existing space, this guide will walk you through creative, attractive, and functional ways to make a trampoline feel like a natural part of your garden — not an eyesore.

🧠 1. Start with Purpose: What Role Will the Trampoline Play?

Before deciding where and how to place your trampoline, consider the function it will serve in your garden:

Is it mainly for children’s daily play?
Will it be used for fitness or adult exercise?
Do you want it to blend in or stand out as a central feature?
Will it be temporary or permanent?

Understanding its intended use helps determine size, shape, placement, and the level of integration with landscaping.

📏 2. Choose the Right Size and Shape for Your Garden

Trampolines come in various shapes and sizes, and choosing the right one is the first step in making it feel like part of your garden design.

Shapes:

Round Trampolines: Classic choice, great for central positioning; bounce draws users to the middle.
Rectangular Trampolines: Sleeker, space-efficient; ideal for narrow gardens or tucked-away spots.
Oval Trampolines: Combine space efficiency with a large bounce area; good for multi-user play.

Size Guide:

Small Gardens: 6ft–10ft round or rectangular trampolines
Medium Gardens: 11ft–13ft oval or round models
Large Gardens: 14ft+ round or professional rectangular models

🛠️ Tip: Don’t just measure for the trampoline itself — allow at least 2 feet of clearance around it for safety and comfort.

🌄 3. Pick the Right Location

Location is everything. A well-placed trampoline can feel purposeful, while a poorly positioned one can look intrusive.

Ideal Locations:

Back corners of the garden to minimise visual disruption
Near patios or seating areas for adult supervision
Integrated into raised beds or enclosed play zones
Sunlit but not too exposed, ideally with some shade

Avoid:

Blocking main garden walkways
Placing directly under trees (leaf and branch fallout)
Areas prone to pooling water or uneven ground

🧭 Consider orientation: If you plan to add privacy screens or landscaping, think about where shadows fall throughout the day.

🕳️ 4. Consider Going InGround or FlatGround

One of the best ways to integrate a trampoline into your garden visually is to choose an InGround or FlatGround model.

InGround Trampolines:

Partially recessed into a shallow pit
Trampoline sits slightly above grass level
Easier for children to access
Less visual impact than above-ground models

FlatGround Trampolines:

Fully flush with the lawn
Practically invisible when not in use
Sleek and ideal for modern garden design
Easier to mow and maintain surrounding area

While these options require excavation, the results are often more visually appealing and make the trampoline feel like a designed part of the landscape.

🌿 5. Blend With Landscaping and Natural Elements

Trampolines don’t need to sit in the middle of a lawn like a spaceship. With some creative landscaping, they can be softened and surrounded by nature.

Ideas to Blend a Trampoline Into Your Garden:

Surround the base with low-growing shrubs or ornamental grasses
Use raised beds or timber edging to frame the area
Install a trellis or pergola nearby for visual balance
Add climbing plants on nearby fencing or screens

For InGround models, you can even use stone edging or wooden decking to create a subtle frame that gives the trampoline a “sunken terrace” effect.

🌸 Bonus: Plant lavender, rosemary, or other aromatic herbs near the area for sensory appeal.

🎨 6. Match Colours and Materials

Many high-end trampolines like those from BERG come in neutral colourways (black, grey, green) that won’t clash with garden tones. Choosing muted colours helps your trampoline:

Disappear into foliage
Match modern patio schemes
Complement outdoor furniture

If you're adding surrounding features like:

Decking
Stone paving
Garden fencing

...try to match the materials for a unified, intentional look.

🛋️ 7. Create a Multi-Functional Play Zone

If your trampoline is mainly for children, turn it into a dedicated play area with:

A soft mulch or rubber safety surface
Stepping stones leading to the trampoline
A small garden shed for toys
A shaded bench or hammock for adults

This keeps play concentrated in one area and prevents garden-wide sprawl. It also makes it easier to supervise and maintain.

🌞 8. Prioritise Safety Without Compromising Style

Every trampoline should be installed with safety in mind, but that doesn’t mean it has to look clunky.

Safety Considerations:

Always leave buffer space around the trampoline
Install safety nets — especially if children are involved
Choose rounded edges and padded poles
Use anchor kits to prevent movement in windy Irish weather

📌 Tip: For a stylish finish, opt for BERG’s Deluxe or Deluxe XL safety nets — they’re higher, more robust, and designed with aesthetic appeal.

📸 9. Use Trampoline Covers for a Neater Look

When not in use, a weatherproof trampoline cover keeps the mat clean and your garden tidy. Covers help:

Protect from UV damage
Reduce leaf and dirt buildup
Make the trampoline less visually obtrusive

Covers in dark green or grey are subtle and blend well with lawns and landscaping.

🪴 10. Design for All Seasons

In Ireland, gardens have to cope with rain, wind, and frost — sometimes in the same week. Make sure your trampoline design can withstand the elements.

All-Season Tips:

Install drainage gravel under FlatGround trampolines to prevent water buildup
Keep surrounding foliage low-maintenance
Use modular landscaping that can be updated seasonally (e.g., potted plants, movable screens)
Install solar garden lights around the trampoline zone for safer evening play

🪜 11. Add Stylish Extras

To elevate the look and usability of your trampoline area, consider thoughtful accessories:

Ladders that match your garden’s aesthetic (e.g., black steel or timber)
Storage boxes for shoes, covers, or accessories
Removable canopies or tents that provide shade and create a den-like feel
Basketball hoops designed for trampolines — fun and non-permanent

By treating the trampoline area as an extension of your home’s style, you create a seamless indoor-outdoor experience.

👀 12. Address Privacy Considerations

In smaller Irish gardens, privacy between neighbours is often limited. A trampoline can raise children above fence height, making some neighbours uncomfortable.

Privacy Solutions:

Install hedges or bamboo screens near the trampoline zone
Use L-shaped trellis walls with flowering climbers
Choose InGround models to limit bounce height visibility
Speak to neighbours if necessary — a friendly conversation goes a long way

✅ Summary: Key Tips for Stylish Trampoline Integration

Design Tip	Benefit
Choose the right shape and size	Fits proportionally with garden layout
Go InGround or FlatGround	Discreet and modern appearance
Use natural landscaping	Softens visuals, improves garden flow
Match materials and colours	Creates harmony with rest of garden
Add privacy features	Maintains neighbour relations
Include extras like lighting or shade	Adds comfort and functionality
Plan with safety in mind	Peace of mind while maintaining visual appeal

🎯 Final Thoughts: Form Meets Function

A trampoline doesn’t have to disrupt your garden’s flow or style. With thoughtful planning, the right model, and a few clever landscaping tricks, it can be a beautiful and permanent feature — one that enhances your outdoor space while promoting health, joy, and family connection.

At Trampolines Ireland, we’re here to help you find the right trampoline for your garden and lifestyle — whether you’re designing a sleek modern courtyard or a rustic family lawn. From BERG FlatGround trampolines to custom installation advice, we’re your local trampoline experts.