Can you provide details about the 2 buildings to the left and right of the wide shot? Is one the garage and the other the house? Where are the entry/exit points for the house?

Apologies, I should have added the plan too!
We have been to the site a few times already, so due to the trees and the garage on the left in a wide pic, the sunniest spot is the centre and towards extension part, however the shade isn’t very bad as trees aren’t too dense. I hope this helps. Thanks!

Sorry, garage is on a right in a wide picture!

I don't think the trees are a challenge - they are a benefit. Whatever you do with the garden, those trees will add a sense of maturity.

I would start by looking at where you would like to sit in the garden and which windows in the house you will mostly look out of. I would then look at adding plants that screen the houses from that view. Things to consider are limiting your choice to small sized trees or shrubs that block the houses and not the sky. Also consider whether you want screening from them in the winter in which case they will need to be evergreen. I suggest a mix of trees and shrubs rather than a single species of hedge which will look rather dull.

Lots of choice for plants, eg the following evergreens robinia, ceanothus, arbutus, juniper. Or how about something with flowers such as prunus amanogawa or a crab apple.

Hi Eve,

It looks like you have a very nice blank canvas to work with!

The trees are far enough away from the house, and as you said, they don't cast too much shade so they shouldn't be a problem at all.

I agree with what was said previously. You should observe the garden space in different times of the day and decide where is it that you would like to sit (Maybe it is the case that you would like to sit with your morning coffee in a spot, and have a barbecue at lunch time at another spot). Once you choose where the seating areas will be, you can determine the planting places. There are plants for every situation from deep shade to hot sun, so this is not a limitation, you will just have to match the right plants with the right places. The only thing with planting that you should consider is if you do want to grow vegetables. Then a place in the sun is advised.

I offer a garden sketch that can be done online- a drawing not to scale that gives you an idea of how best to divide your garden to cater for your needs and tastes. This is very cost effective way to have an initial idea when you are stuck. Please do let me know if you are interested and good luck with your new garden!

Thanks everyone for taking time to reply..I think we will have two seating areas-one by the house for morning sun and the other somewhere towards pines for afternoon sun..however I have no idea how to divide this plot, or if it’s better to leave it as one large grassed area with some evergreens by the fence for screening..if anyone has any more ideas please share, otherwise I will try to search the web for some similar gardens to get a better visual idea..thank you!!!xx

Although there are benefits to having the trees there, they may provide some challenges with regard to what you plant below. We had a large pine tree in our garden & grass really didn’t grow properly beneath it. We had it removed (various reasons, inc safety & lack of light) and the grass has dramatically improved. We also have a large fir tree which doesn’t impact on the grass growing beneath it. It might be worth getting some advice on whether or not it’s worth laying grass beneath them or whether a different surface / large bed would work better.