Patio/decking design for garden after quirky kitchen refurb
Hello please help resolve a disagreement my partner and I are having regarding our garden!
We've just completed work on our kitchen/diner. Simple knock through which included turning a storm porch into a small 'corner box' as part of the kitchen. We now have two sets of doors - existing patios (to the right) and new bifolds, as well as the original steps where the storm porch door was situated.
How would you design decking/patio to flow seamlessly into the garden?
We would like to extend decking/patio out as far as the 'corner box' but are in two minds whether to:
1) Add steps running along the width of this (hand rail added to the right)
or
2) Add steps to the right of this (hand rail added across the width).
My partner is not keen to have steps running across the width of the patio/decking because it cuts off space from one section (in front of the corner box) to the other (the existing patio space). Plus this would also mean potentially losing more of the garden. I'm not keen on having hand rails running across the width!
The reason why we can't raise the entire patio to the same height is that we have quite a drop into the garden. Additionally we would lose a lot of privacy due the height (our adjoining neighbour's garden will be much lower plus we also back onto a public footpath).
I've attached a before pic and and after pic. Thank you in advance.
Comments (7)
Tani H-S
6 years ago
npost123
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Comments (12)What a great picture, and a design that could easily be adjusted for your site, in terms of both hard landscaping and soft landscaping for a Cheshire site. The elements of slabs, wooden boards, rendered walls, low hidden water feature and lush low-maintenance planting can be achieved on a small budget. Water features surprisingly cost quite a bit, even a simple rill such as in the picture with small bubbling jets and lighting. To keep the cost down, you could look for concrete slabs, and use a softer wood and then stain it to the colour you want, rather than going for an expensive Iroko wooden board. Of course, once you start staining you will need a regular care schedule of cleaning it and re-staining it. Perhaps if the budget will allow, you could spend more on say composite decking boards and a stylish piece of furniture, and then use cheaper products elsewhere. A good Internet search will reveal some great products, but don't get carried away. Stick to your idea of how the garden should look and be strict with yourself. Failing that, appoint a garden designer. Regards Mark...See MoreSmall north facing garden design
Comments (14)Start with your budget, what is it? Make a plan, gardening is not an overnight transformation, it takes time but that for many of us is the sheer joy of it. A year of all around plant interest is possible in time. I would spend my budget on getting the basics in place, so decide what you want e.g. do you want a patio and large beds and no grass, or some grass? If your local college has an agricultural course running they might be willing to help you as the students would learn a lot here, maybe ask? What is your soil type e.g. is it heavy clay or sandy? Is it acidic, alkaline or neutral, these facts are deciding factors on whether or not plants will thrive. Look at what plants are thriving in your local area that is a good guide to your soil, e.g. if there are lots of rhododendrons thriving near by then the soil will be acidic. If it were me, I would get it all dug up, lay a patio, add large beds (put in lots of fine bark compost), and no grass, just gravel. Work with your site, right plant right place is a mantra for a very good reason (!), there is no point planting sun loving plants if you get little sun so do your research on plants that thrive in shade, one good website is Plantsforshade. I would add lots of trellis to grow climbers as they will give you height and trick the eye into making your garden appear bigger, climbing hydrangeas, star jasmine ( for scent) some roses but choose carefully. Now draw up a year's plan so you can start planting for all year round colour, take your time and it's not daunting. Add attractive tubs (often on sale on our local Facebook!) and and plant appropriate annuals, there is loads of advice on line. Best of luck....See MoreGarden design/layout
Comments (14)A shed in the location you suggested is a good idea. Build it slightly set back from the fence line so it doesn’t obstruct access to the side gate. You could also house the dustbin in it with its own door. I would be tempted to have it made to your own design rather than buy off the peg. Include shelves and cupboards inside to house all you garden paraphernalia. I’d recommend a green roof because it improves the view from the upper windows. Houzz has some good pages about garden sheds. I agree with rachelmidlands you should keep the patio. One change I suggest is to run a step all the way along its length. You could perhaps edge the patio with bricks the same colour as the paving and use the same bricks for the step. For cohesion use the same bricks to edge the lawn and any paths you decide on. Sticking to a limited palette of hard surface materials and even plants connects all the spaces and makes the garden seem bigger. It also has a calming less fussy effect. If you decide on a circular lawn don’t be tempted to take is as close to the fence as you can. You will need to allow space for your plants to grow otherwise they will flop over the lawn and drive you mad. The best time to transplant that tree would be autumn through to winter. If you can I would hang on until then after it has dropped its leaves. However you could chance it if it was in a pot and was recently planted. It would however need a lot of TLC to get it through the summer and it might still fail. I rather like the last photo that rachelmidlands uploaded. It has a paved area in what would be the sunny part of your garden. I would make it bigger and use the same paving you have used for your patio. Again limit your palette. Growing climbers over your fences softens the edges and helps to make the garden seem bigger. It is also a great sanctuary for wildlife. Don’t forget to create access at ground level to let the hedgehogs and frogs wander about....See More
Carolina
6 years agoVery cool extension, by the way. Looks great! Here’s a sketch of what I mean. You probably need more stages/steps.
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