Need help to design this garden

6 years ago

Hi!

I have a 18ft x 42ft garden that is in need of redesign.

My plan for now is to have a concrete patio as you come out from the kitchen which extends 10ft. Then 22ft of lawn from fence to fence, with all trees removed. At the back I plan to have a half width shed on the left and a decking with pergola and seating on the right. The right hand fence would be changed to match the left side and I'd put some 4 wall lights on each, decking lights at the back and some wall lights on the shed walls (both facing from and facing the pergola).

Does this plan sound like it would look good? I'm concerned on whether the decking area which would be around 9ft x 10ft might be a bit small. I only plan to have some small seats and a side table as it would be used for relaxing as opposed to eating (which could be done in the concrete patio area).

Appreciate any suggestions or comments!

Featured Answer

PRO

Garden Design Guru

6 years ago

In small gardens some clever arrangement of the space (in 3D as well as 2D) is essential to make it inviting and make it feel bigger than it is at the same time. Three by three meters is a very minimal size for any seating area and it won't work well unless you put built in seating on 2 sides.

The concept of 'hide and reveal' is an essential tool in the garden designers tool kit but one or two other optical illusions would be best in this size of garden.

You either need to do a course, read a great deal or find a really good pro if you want the best result.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

A B
6 years ago
What direction does the garden face and what are the soil conditions? I'm just wondering how well a lawn would grow? If it gets the most sun at the end of the garden it would be a shame to put a shed there imo. I'd start with the sunniest bit and design a large patio there first. I also wouldn't rush to cut down all the trees, as they provide height to the space, and mature trees are very expensive!
Raiyan Bari thanked A B
Raiyan Bari
Original Author
6 years ago
Garden faces north east. Good point regarding the sunny conditions which I hadn't thought about but I think storage would be more important for me and putting shed storage mid way through would look strange?

With the trees, the apple tree in the middle seems to be dying, the apples it bears are usually rotten and it's growing sideways! The tree on the back right was just in the way and I thought made the garden look smaller.
Related Discussions
Need Architect
Q
Comments (3)
This is a great place to start. As Lampert Dias say above - you can search on here for a nearby architect. I cover the North West and London for projects from £50k and upwards.
...See More
Need help with patio and garden design please
Q
Comments (14)
Hi there,potentially a great project.You have a superb blank canvas from which to create a landscape. Freshscaped will be able to assist you,I am sure. Meanwhile,if you seek inspiration.....have a look on my website under Portfolio sections; Landscaping and Poolhouses. A recently completed job in Kent where we added woodland,a stream,wild meadow, an eco office,and a superb Marston & Langinger orangery type building. I would be more than happy to put forward some ideas that Freshscaped could develop, or indeed assist with any Interior Renovations you may be doing also. I am based in Surrey,and work in London & the home counties. Best of luck,and do drop me a line if I can be of any inspiration to you. www.bellawhiteleyinteriors.co.uk
...See More
Need Help with back garden design
Q
Comments (7)
I would get rid of the lawn and replace it with decking and lots of borders: look at this site, a similar but larger garden to see the reason why that can work: http://www.lucywillcoxgardendesign.com/Projects/Pages/Highgate_-_Love_Your_Garden.html I would add a shed/summer house combo to maximise outdoor space or at least one with a porch (sometimes sold as lumber/timber drying areas) as that can double up space for kids toys and storage.
...See More
Help! Design needed for a triangle garden.
Q
Comments (2)
I think you are right to ditch the grass with such a small plot, unless you have young children. I think having a mixture of surfaces, say some paving, some pavers, some gravel, will create interest. Water features are lovely, you can go for a simple bowl with a pump up to a full pond. There are lots that come complete with a pump that plugs in. They come with very long leads so there is a choice of places you can locate them. Primrose have a vast selection www.primrose.co.uk. Lush planting will really make a garden. You can have all sorts of landscaping but if there isn’t enough planting it will never look right. Luckily it’s a nice sunny garden so you can grow so many plants. Place plants in the front of all the fencing such as lovely climbers like Star Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Roses and Clematis is a start. I rather like the garden below where the planting area is in the middle of the garden.
...See More
Emily
6 years ago
Maybe then make your shed a “pretty” one and have your patio coming off the shed so you get the patio in the sun?
One advantage of having a north facing garden is that you could plant trees (small trees 3-5m eventual height) and you won’t block your sun. Also whilst you don’t have th sun on the back of your house it is an attractive view seeing the sun shining on your garden. Which means your shed will be quite prominent so would be best if it were attractive as well as functional.
Raiyan Bari thanked Emily
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I like your evergreen trees on the right corner. Please do not remove them, they grow so slow!

Here is some idea of pergola.
Raiyan Bari thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
PRO
Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
here is idea of seating area
Raiyan Bari thanked Celery. Visualization, Rendering images
rachelmidlands
6 years ago
I also think it would be a shame to lose the evergreen in the right corner. They do take a long time to get to that size and it’s giving you a little privacy from the neighbors. If there is room I would put the shed behind the conifer? Leaving you the left corner where the stone block wall is as a seating area. This should be facing south I think and you could make it pretty by painting the wall and adding some trellis and climbers and a pergola. The apple tree has had its day i think, maybe you could cut it but leave the main trunk and use it as a bird table. Be sure to condition and level the soil before laying new turf, it looks pretty compacted at the moment. Good luck with your garden I’m sure it will look great in the end.
Raiyan Bari thanked rachelmidlands
PRO
Jacksons Fencing
6 years ago
Our garden decking is guaranteed for 25 years.. https://www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk/fencing/secret-garden-collection/decking/secret-garden-collection-decking.aspx?pg=875 Good luck with your garden :)
Mulchie
6 years ago
I’ve just redone my garden that is north-facing also. The patio near the house is always dark and a bit gloomy but at the end of the garden it’s sunny - so sunny I needed a parasol for most of the summer. My advice would be to put the shed near house and use the end of the garden for eating and socialising. Hope that helps, Good luck!
PRO
Gripdeck Ltd
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
If you are looking for decking for your seating area, please take a look at our anti slip decking range. http://www.gripdeck.co.uk/

Good luck with your plans.
PRO
Pearpod
6 years ago
A hanging or free-standing pod could look great in this space, nestled in to the corner as place to curl up and relax. Could make a great feature! They are hand crafted and tailor made in size and shape to fit your space.

Need help to design this garden

Garden Design Guru

Comments (11)

A B

Raiyan Bari
Original Author

Related Discussions

Emily

Celery. Visualization, Rendering images

Celery. Visualization, Rendering images

rachelmidlands

Jacksons Fencing

Mulchie

Gripdeck Ltd

Pearpod

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Need help to design this garden

Comments (11)

Raiyan BariOriginal Author

Related Discussions

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Raiyan Bari
Original Author