Furniture Design Ideas

There are many designs of gates suitable for use in most places, made of sawn timber with galvanized steel hinges and fasteners. If there is a risk of people leaving gates open, self-closing devices can be used, such as rising hinges, weights and automatic latches. Special leaning gates can be used in deer fences, but […]

At certain points along many trails there may be fences, walls or other barriers to be negotiated. Such fences may be needed to control livestock, to keep deer out of forests, or to prevent access by horses, motor cycles or all-terrain vehicles. Unfortunately, they can also be barriers to trail users, in particular people with […]

Along the length of the trail it might be helpful to hikers for shelters to be located at appropriate locations to provide shelter from inclement weather, shade in hot conditions, or camping opportunities. They can vary from simple roofs to give rain and sun An interesting small shelter along a trail, made in four prefabricated […]

A variation on the theme of viewing towers is platforms constructed to jut over a cliff or steep slope in order to provide a better and safer view of an exciting feature by a number of people. Examples include a more dramatic view of a waterfall or a downward view into a canyon or river. […]

Sometimes landforms and woodlands help to focus views of landscape in particular ways. For successful appreciation, the orientation of the view should be controlled or guided by the direction of the path, the position of a seat or the use of foreground vegetation. As the composition is important, any foreground clutter or features that may […]

Where trees are widely spaced with clean, straight trunks they can form a partial screen or filter in the foreground. These views also offer safe vantage points, with a greater sense of being hidden from the external landscape. A path passing through dense forest and approaching its edge can exploit this device, contrasting the increasing […]

These are usually obtained at high points such as cliff edges, mountain tops or the edges of steep escarpments. The broad sweep of the view should be unimpeded by foreground trees, bushes or artefacts. The immediate foreground to the view should be as simple as possible to avoid competing with the splendour of the scene. […]

Viewpoints, sitting places and wildlife-viewing areas should be included from the outset as part of the overall design of the trail system. There are several different kinds of viewpoint, each with its own requirements for design and maintenance to keep them open by removing overgrowing vegetation. Different types of view: (a) A panoramic view, where […]

The small-scale landscape created by the vegetation next to the trail should be considered as well as the larger-scale landscape, the sequence of views and features of interest described in the section on trail design. If the trail is in a forest, the first few metres/yards away from the path into the edge of trees […]

On most trails, especially those used by families with small children, people with disabilities or elderly people, some resting places should be provided at fairly regular intervals. Where possible, benches should be positioned with good views or in attractive places. As in all aspects of design, benches should reflect the landscape setting in which they […]