An idea is for fake grass which my parents suggested and I don't mind - but my husband hates. Would you use this on the whole area or leave a border of stones around it instead? Was going to get some purple slate perhaps or white stones to cover the ugly ones and give it some lift.

Shed integrated into covered seating area, back of shed has door opening onto street/ lane. I am guessing that you are UK based, hence the covered seating area. You could put doors on the 'open area' and have it as a garden room too with a sofa and small stove?. Nice for those Sunday mornings with a hot cup of coffee and the Sunday papers. Curved path laid on nidagravel, edged in steel Turf lawn Plant herbs and veg instead of shrubs Two beds either side of decking area Replace fence and top with trellis for privacy

Last one. Bit more formal but in a modern way. Deck and gravel area are raised up a little with a step for the change in levels. Would need a little more working out I think but definitely achievable. Small strip of planting area between trampoline and gravel area I was thinking could be trellis with some climbing plants such as clematis. Doesn’t have to be too high just enough to cover the view of ugly trampoline legs 🙂. Water feature could be something very modern looking but you could just use a planter with some topiary perhaps to keep costs down. For the base of the play area you could use bark chips or I think you can get recycled rubber chippings, not sure how much these cost but bark chips are readily available. Anyway hope this gives you something to think about. I think first thing to do is get the fence replaced then get a few quotes in for patio as this is likely to be the highest cost. It’s possible to diy paving but you do need to make sure that the drainage and levels are correct. A big job best left to experts I reckon but do ask landscapers if there are ways you can help to keep costs down.

Lelandii are forest trees and should never have been planted in domestic gardens and all of them need chopping down, but I don’t have to tell you that! How about planting some dwarf trees? They grow to about 10ft high. You can get dwarf fruit trees such as apples, cherries or pears as well as ornamental ones. Buy carefully as some sellers don’t know the true height of trees they sell. For fruit trees Blackmoor grown good quality trees. Another group of trees that are a bit taller but not monsters are the Rowan tree and the Crabapple. Whatever you plant make sure it’s not too near a neighbours border or near any building or paths. Here’s some pics and wish you lots of luck.