Garden Renovation ideas / help / suggestions please
Hi
So we have an area to the side of our house that I would like to make nicer for this upcoming summer.
We currently have our rattan corner sofa there, with table and large round wooden table, that seats 6 and our bbq behind.
This wraps around to the back garden where we currently just have the old paving slabs continued round. The paving slabs in front of the house are quite narrow so we couldn’t put any furniture or anything there.
We have a large dog and 2 children so needs to be practical for them as well.
Our back garden also has the front entrance to the house-as the house is old the entrance is actually in the back garden.
We currently have some very old paving slabs down that I think we would need to start again with. We also have gravel to one side of the area which is coming through from our driveway. So it is a bit of a mix and match at the moment – there is a flowerbed that separates the paving slabs and the gravel.
We have about half an acre garden - we do not mind losing some of the turfed garden in order to get a really nice outside dining space.
In summary, I guess I would like to get some sort of alfresco dining area done that would look nice to the side of the house and to the frontage of the house. The French doors lead onto our kitchen
Please let me know if more photos would help.
Thank you in advance for anyone’s suggestions or help.
Comments (16)
4 months agoGetting the paving jet washed can hugely improve the look. My paving was awful after a few years but then I got someone to power wash it and it’s such an improvement. However if your paving is very uneven then perhaps new paving is the best idea, especially as some of the paving is too narrow. You could opt for sandstone paving for a more rustic country look, or porcelain paving for a sleeker, modern look. The sandstone comes in a riven finish or sawn which has a smoother look. I also think maybe a pergola over the seating area adds interest and you can plant climbers up it (first pic), especially as the garden is so big. Pinterest and Houzz are great for ideas with tons of images.
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Comments (1)Hi Swati, I'd be happy to help consult you if you'd like some 1 on 1 help email me kerrybryaninteriors@outlook.com , I'd be happy to help in return for a review. :) Kerry...See MoreNeed help with redesigning my rear garden after house renovations .
Comments (23)Ta da! Hope you can see the photo ok, had to use the flash (click to enlarge). Tried to keep things fairly simple without compromising on the lawn space and just bear in mind the sketches aren’t to scale. From what you say I think you’ll definitely be wanting a path to link the different areas together but what materials you use for the path is entirely up to you. Hopefully the sketches are self explanatory but I’ll give a little more info. Sketch 1, I added a water feature on the left but you could put anything here, it just breaks up the border a bit. Sketch 2, I brought the pergola forward a bit so it’s not so shoved up the corner. I think this will more pleasing especially as you’d have room for planting behind. In both 1 and 2 the shed is positioned widthways as again I think this would look more pleasing. Sketch 3 is going from Jonathan’s idea of using a curve. Pergola would have to be custom made tho. Used a corner shed and circle patio in bottom left is mainly for decorative purposes. Sketch 4 I’ve swapped things about and created a little yard area for shed on the left which is surrounded by trellis. This might be a great way to disguise unsightly things like compost bin etc. The feature could be anything like a little water fountain, statue or bird bath. Anyway hopes this gives you some inspiration and feel free to plan things how you’d like them and I’m pretty sure Sonia can advise on planting suggestions 🙂. Love 💕 your extension btw....See MoreGarden Idea help please
Comments (4)Hi Danny, I think that overall, this rough shape that you have already established (an area for patio outside the house, a lawn with a path down the middle to a second - possibly seating? - area) looks good for a modern formal design for a garden of your shape. I don't really know the measurements, but from the pictures it seems that the patio area outside the house seems a bit on the small side. I would make it a bit bigger so that you can put some seating provision in it, maybe with a fire bowl (since as I understand it this is a shady area?). You also need space for planting to make this garden come alive. I would create planting areas around the seating areas and also along the lawn area. I didn't really understand where the change in level is (and hence where you want to put the retaining wall), but I would possibly plant along that retaining wall as well. I would go for an elegant planting scheme with grasses and discrete whites and maybe cool blues and possibly use some box balls or something similar to line the borders, so that the planting also has a modern look to go with the design. If you need any further help, I offer a range of online affordable garden design services - from sketches and planting plans only to garden plans with planting plans and 3D visuals add ons. I would be very happy to help with a tailored solution for you lovely space! Good luck with your garden, Deborah The Rooted Concept Garden Designs...See More1960s open tread staircase renovation suggestions please
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Also love the brick underneath on this one…Do you know what surface is used here around the brick? Looks stoney?
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Hi Lucy, love your inspo pics. Plants good for climbing up a pergola and have a romantic feel are Wisteria, Climbing Roses, Honeysuckle, Clematis Montana and Jasmine. There are two types of Jasmine - common (fast growing and frothy) or Star Jasmine (evergreen and slower growing but tender, mine died last winter). Rambler roses are gorgeous but very, very vigorous so need space. If you choose a brick patio (so French!) use clay pavers which are very hardy. House bricks are not frost hardy and will start to fall apart over time. Clay pavers are not cheap but so gorgeous. I’ve seen sandstone paving edged with clay pavers which looks lovely and a cheaper way to have them.
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mii2