From multi-level garden to a better use of space
Hello,
We have moved into a house with a small back garden which has got potential to be our little sanctuary. We just struggle to find any vision for it. The lawn area on the left of the photos is at an angle. There are other areas that are higher and lower than the main lawn.
The fence fell apart completely, so we are replacing it in the coming weeks and then painting it (possibly an inviting shade of beige or grey?).
The fence will run in a straight line along the left edge of the photo from where the old fence is still standing.
The raised bed with the washing line will be going to free up the space. We would like the brick mini-wall going down to the bottom to go too because we see no purpose for it (there is about 0.5-0.6m of lawn space being wasted between these bricks and where the fence will be). Unless you think the bricks are there for a specific reason? Could the removal of bricks cause structural ground issues?
At the bottom of the garden, where the lawn ends, there is a big step down to the triangular area where we want to put decking (with a table and chairs or table and benches) on top of the pebbles.
I would be very grateful for any ideas that we could implement ourselves, to make the best use of the space. Bench? Archway? Swing?Flower border? Leave the brick wall or remove it?
Thanks you for taking the time to read my post!
Comments (17)
Carolina
6 years ago
keentolearn00
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Maximising small(ish) garden space
Comments (7)Thank you for your sketches! Sorry I'm just replying, had a lot going on at work! Yes, keeping the grass and having a slabbed patio sounds good. Would it work to have the patio along the fence opposite the garage? Just enough tiles to fit furniture on and a few plant pots maybe....See MoreUsing corridor space for bigger kitchen good or bad idea?
Comments (17)I agree completely with OnePlan. There are lots of ways this house could be altered to suit you and your family and I presented just one option. A design professional would help you think about what you need out of the house and what parts bother you most and need addressing. They would also consider sunlight, regulations improving the flow, sight lines, aesthetics and correct sizes. Getting the design right is so important and most people don’t. They either make changes organically (make a small change then see what they want to do next) which never works, or make plans based on their budget concerns but don’t really know what things cost (By this I mean that they plan lots of little changes thinking that they are managing the budget or preferring to pay for lots of little jobs rather than one big one). In my opinion the best route is to get a great home is to get together a plan and to stick to it even if you can’t do everything all at once....See MoreFrom Rags to Riches –a garden story | NE London suburban modern garden
Comments (9)Looks like a good quality job. I like the steps and the garden office. It does feel rather 'linear' to me though. All straight lines and angles, which seem to produce a somewhat harsh look, not helped by the formal style planting. However, if the client is happy, It's a successful make-over....See MoreMulti functional space - how to fit two workstations into one bedroom!
Comments (3)Thanks so much for the quick replies! :) @colourhappy a worktop had actually been our original idea, but our windows are quite long (the bottom stops about 68/69 cm from the floor) and I don’t know if it will be too awkward running a slab across the window. If I go at the height that wouldn’t cut across the window I’m worried it will be too low? @OnePlan in an ideal world we would split across separate rooms, but this is the only room other than the dining room that could accommodate a desk setup... and that room is going to be completely ripped out and insulated/plasterboarded/rewired soon so it will be out of bounds for a while :( maybe I could convince my husband to add a garden room to our list of renos, the beer fridge might convince him :) I’ll have a look into the drop down table option!...See More
rachelmidlands
6 years agokeentolearn00
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoHere are more photos, with my back to the back fence. The fence will go up to the red pole beside the house. We will keep the drop from lawn to pebbles as it is for now, and are hoping to put some furniture and bbq on the pebbles. The lawn will hopefully be all level, unless we discover an old patio under there.
The fence will be going along the neighbours shed in a straight line towards the camera (in my 2nd photo of the original post).
We have a small garden area at the front of the house with a flower border and a patch with hydrangeas (that may or may not come to life). We also have over-rail hanging planters on the steps to the house. So we are not too bothered by planting too many flowers in the back garden, since it's not that big, but could maybe put up things like trellis and flower pots to dress up the garden a bit?
The choice of decorative garden things is ovewhelming. Would an archway look out of place somewhere (photo atrached)?We are hoping to start a family soon so it would ve great to make the garden practical as well as inviting and beautiful. I would love a coordinated look in terms of colour and style. Any ideas are much appreciated!
rachelmidlands
6 years agoNice sketch Carolina:) I like the idea of a circular lawn. I had a similar idea but not quite as circular and not coloured in:) So I definitely agree with knocking the wall down between the house and the lawn to floor level, purely because I think it looks ugly. Then where you have the raised bed with the washing line at the moment I would mirror it to create a semi circle at the bottom of the steps and pave over it. From there I would take the bricks out dividing the lawn and create a curved brick path leading to the gravel area (you could also use some of the bricks from the knocked down wall for this). I may also create a small border in the grass on the gravel side and plant some easy maintenance low growing plants (hardy geraniums would be perfect). As for the rest, it’s just about making it look pretty. I’d put a trellis on the garage wall with climbing plant and garden bench in front, archway or gate between the house and garage, some climbers on the fence, potted plants on the gravel etc. Hope this helps. Here’s my go at a sketch and some ideas.
keentolearn00
6 years agoCarolina, thank you so much! We never even considered a circular lawn! The path along the house stairs needs to be kept clear as an emergency fire escape route for the mid-terraced neighbour, unfortunately, otherwise would have been great to have a bench and flower pots against the house wall. Love the flower pots ideas, thank you again for taking the time to sketch!
I've just realised I never attached the archway photo, sorry! Here it is, together with a couple of other ideas I like, but I just can't decide what will go well in this space without looking like I went on a shopping spree in the dark.. Hammock is probably a silly dream in Scotland:)
keentolearn00
6 years agorachelmidlands
6 years agokeentolearn00
6 years agoWill definitely get slate chippings! I remember Googling this a whike ago and feeling strangely comforted that I'm not alone in this:)
I guess we can decide on furniture after the fence is up and we see what the space looks like.
My partner was saying last night that it would be easier to leave the whole cemented path along the house clear rather than installing a 6ft gate in the fence for the neighbour's emergency access (there is a big step up from the grass area and hard to level it out). He is suggesting framing the lawn with the fence (dash line in my clumsy sketch attached). To me that makes our garden look smaller and the path is still our property, not the neighbour's. I would rather remove the ugly brick wall that's framing the top end of the garden between our garage and neighbour's garden and include the path in the garden design.
Then a gate could be installed between the garage and the house and another gate at the bottom of the house stairs?
Carolina
6 years agoRachel and I obviously are/have great minds ;-)
I'm all for removing the ugly brick wall.
Levelling out a garden is never easy. But I think it's worth the trouble if you want to enjoy spending time in the garden in the future. I'm including some photos for inspiration :-)
Frensham Garden · More Info
Frensham Garden · More Info
New steps, terracing, retaining walls, planting and the BBQ house · More Infokeentolearn00
6 years agokeentolearn00
6 years agoCarolina
6 years agokeentolearn00
6 years agorachelmidlands
6 years agoGreat minds think alike Carolina:) some great inspiration pics. Was just thinking about neighbours emergency access. How about a something like a half arch attached to the house wall. Think it will create a visual barrier but not a physical one and could be a lot cheaper in the short term. Long term I’d be looking at a gate which can accessed from both sides but big wooden gates don’t come cheap. Or how about western style saloon doors:) will probably need a catch to stop them flapping about in the wind...anyway, I’m just brainstorming. Gate at the bottom of the steps probably not necessary but I would think about one at the top of the steps if you plan to have any escape artist toddlers. Like you say the path is in your garden so a tall fence between path and lawn would spoil it imho. After all how often will your neighbor need to use the access. I’m rattling on. Here’s some more inspo pics for half arch/saloon doors. Would love to see your progress when you’ve done the fence. All the best.
keentolearn00
6 years ago
Carolina