Reading a designer's portfolio before you hire

You've scrolled through Instagram garden accounts and visited a few show gardens. Now you're ready to call someone. But before you pick up the phone, you need to know whether a designer's actual track record matches what you're hoping for. A portfolio tells you far more than a résumé ever will—if you know what to look for.

A portfolio is a designer's proof. It shows real gardens they've built, not renderings or dreams. When you're comparing potential designers, the portfolio is where you separate the ones whose work genuinely appeals to you from those whose style or standard of execution won't suit your space or budget.

What a strong portfolio actually shows

Start with variety. A designer who shows ten different gardens—ranging from townhouse courtyards to suburban plots to larger estates—is telling you they can adapt. If every project looks identical, they may be relying on a formula rather than responding to each site's unique constraints. Look at the *before* photos, too. A portfolio that includes before-and-afters is more honest; it shows what the designer inherited and what they transformed.

Next, examine the detail. Close in on paving joints, planting combinations, the condition of hardscaping after a season or two. Does the stonework look well-laid? Are the plants thriving or struggling? A garden photographed in spring flush might look good, but a portfolio that includes shots of the same garden in different seasons—or years later—tells you the designer thinks about longevity. Look for evidence of maintenance: are the edges crisp, the mulch fresh, the edging defined?

Consider the range of conditions. Has the designer worked in full shade? In exposed, windy spots? On slopes? With difficult soil? The more varied their problem-solving, the more likely they can handle your specific challenge.

Matching the portfolio to your vision

A strong portfolio doesn't have to match your taste perfectly—but it should show that the designer *understands* the aesthetic you want. If you love clean-lined, minimalist gardens with bold architectural plants and their portfolio is full of cottage-style borders, that's a signal to dig deeper. Ask them directly: do they have other work in the style you're after? Can they show you a project closer to your brief?

Watch out for portfolios that feel curated only for social media appeal. Lush, colorful borders photograph beautifully but may not suit your climate, time, or maintenance capacity. If a designer's entire portfolio is high-maintenance showstoppers and you've told them you want low-fuss planting, the mismatch will become clear only after installation.

Also look at scale. If you're redesigning a small urban courtyard, a portfolio packed with sprawling country estates may not tell you how a designer scales down. Do they have experience in compact spaces? Can they make a small garden feel generous, or do their projects always need acres to shine?

Reading between the lines

When you're reviewing a portfolio, ask yourself these questions:

• Does the planting look healthy and established, or newly installed and sparse?
• Are the hardscaping materials consistent with what thrives in your region?
• Can you see evidence of smart drainage, access, or practical features?
• Do the designs respond to the houses they frame, or do they feel disconnected?
• How many projects does the designer show? (A thin portfolio may mean limited experience.)

If something in the portfolio strikes you as exceptional, ask the designer about it during your first conversation. What was the site's condition? What were the main challenges? How does it compare to your own garden? A designer who can speak thoughtfully about their past work—and doesn't just hand you a folder or link—is usually someone who's genuinely invested in outcomes.

Once you've found a few designers whose portfolios resonate, you're ready to move forward. On Strove, verified garden designers include portfolio images and client reviews—so you can compare not just their past work but also what clients say about working with them. Reviewing a portfolio is your chance to confirm the designer's eye matches yours before you commit to a brief or proposal.