For a formal type of setting, the most important factor is that the design be harmonious with the surroundings. If the home is a colonial architectural design, an Italian garden style will not work. The formal garden should also not be crowded with statuary and architectural features that it becomes over whelming, resembling a museum. Often, good taste demands restraint. The idea is to create a harmonious and pleasing effect, and when that has been accomplished, then you should stop.
A formal room works best as an extension of the home. If the property is level this is especially nice, as it will save a lot of time and effort. However, un-level plots can offer a charm of their own. A lower or raised grade will add a certain magic to the setting, as it has the power to make one go up or down. This is why a sunken garden is so celebrated.
Planning out a formal garden can be quite exciting, as you begin to envision specific patterns or design; beautiful schemes have a way of making themselves known.
Some of the most attractive formal garden settings are those that leave the center planting free. This will help to decide the direction the paths take. A focal point is an important feature to an outdoor living space. In a formal garden setting, the focal point could be in the center of the room, located on a central axis, while other times it is best to place the focal point outside of the room, as something to look at.
These suggestions should get you well on your way to creating a formal or informal garden setting. You should be able to understand the important features of each style, thus allowing you to pick a style that suits your personal tastes. Determine what the space should look like before you begin the planting. Create a plan of arrangement of paper, and create a rough draft of the scheme you want to create. In this plan indicate where the plants, flowers, and shrubs should be located. Then use this plan to create your outdoor space!