This luxurious urban garden transformation reimagines a once-blank canvas into a striking private retreat, rich in detail and layered with design complexity. Positioned in the heart of the city, the garden now offers a serene, high-end escape—thoughtfully crafted to deliver visual impact from every angle, whether viewed from inside the home or experienced within the space itself. Though the original plot was level, we introduced the illusion of depth and dimension through elevated design elements, including Schellevis floating steps, which lend an architectural elegance and subtly define spatial zones without disrupting the garden’s flow. Strategic planting anchors the layout, with four distinctive specimen trees—two Dicksonia antarctica, one Feijoa, and one Trachycarpus fortunei—each contributing to carefully curated focal points that guide the eye and enhance the sense of scale. The rear shed is artfully concealed using vertical timber posts, positioned behind the Feijoa to maintain natural beauty without visual distraction. A custom bespoke metal pergola adds verticality and contemporary flair, creating a sculptural frame that draws the eye upward and balances the garden’s horizontal lines. Together, these elements work harmoniously to create a garden that feels expansive, immersive, and deeply refined.

Jo Fenton
Small classic back formal fully shaded garden for spring in London with a garden path and natural stone paving.

Design ideas for a classic formal garden in Sussex with a garden path.

Design ideas for a classic back formal garden seating in Other with a garden path and decking.

Inspiration for a small classic back formal fully shaded garden in London with natural stone paving and a raised bed.

The circular steps lead from the corner of a large patio towards the first level of lawn. Richard Brown Photography Ltd.
Inspiration for a large classic formal full sun garden in Cheshire with a retaining wall.

Contemporary back formal partial sun garden in Christchurch with a garden path.

Contemporary townhouse wildlife garden, with meandering gravel paths through dynamic herbaceous planting with corten water features.
Medium sized contemporary back formal full sun garden in West Midlands with a flowerbed and decorative stones.

Private garden with raised flowerbeds.
Medium sized contemporary back formal partial sun garden in London with a flowerbed, natural stone paving and a wood fence.

The design of this garden provides a seamless transition from house to garden,the placement of the pleached trees provide an inner courtyard within a larger space. This garden has been designed to make the client feel peaceful, private and spacious. The client wanted to create a stylish and classically contemporary garden, he particularly wanted structured formal planting without too many ‘flowers’ which I considered in the design phase.

Ruth Willmott
Design ideas for a medium sized modern back formal garden in London.

Lush back garden planting, with flowering perennials, grasses and evergreen ground covers. The tree is a mature Amelanchier (Serviceberry). A large boulder that was found on site sits in a bed of Irish Moss (Sagina) and Japanese Acorus Grass.

This is an example of a medium sized mediterranean back formal partial sun garden for summer in London with a living wall and concrete paving.

New double tiered beds two months after planting out. Front bed with country style perennials in blue and purple colour scheme. Rear bed planted with shrubs to provide year round interest and eventual screening of the rear fence.

These classic surface mounted step lights create a lovely wash and accentuate the curve and texture of this wall.
Photo of a medium sized contemporary formal full sun garden in Adelaide with a retaining wall and natural stone paving.

This large, neglected back garden was full of tired, overgrown shrubs and weeds. Some of the trees and hedges were removed to create more light, and the garden opened up. Two sets of circular steps link to the different levels of the garden, whilst attractive brick walls create different terraced beds that have been planted to provide colour and interest throughout the year. Richard Brown Photography Ltd.

Large country formal full sun pergola for autumn in Melbourne with natural stone paving.

Ph Dubreuil
Classic formal partial sun garden in Paris.

Roberto silva
Inspiration for a small classic back formal garden in London with a potted garden and decking.