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Design Dilemma Exteriors Gardens

Garden redesign, need some help guys

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

Hi Guys,

I've been slowly making changes to my garden and reached a point where i feel like i have proper messed up. I kinda want to go back and start again. I created patio and spaces that never get used and really condensed the space.

The top of my garden gets the sun all day and the existing patio loses the sun around 2pm. I really want a garden with low maintenance, area for my daughter to play, id like to get some height with trees or conifers etc to get some privacy from my neighbours.

Existing patio is slate and looks so dirty all the time even after a proper wash. Looks awful and scratches so easily.

I also have an extension built 2 years ago. The bi fold opens up on the patio close to the existing french door, looks a bit too close i think.

Really just looking for some advice, really struggling to think which way to go next, its a east facing garden, I've made a load of hard work for myself so looking to correct it this year.

Thanks everyone.

Comments (4)

rachelmidlands
4 years ago
Hi Matt. My immediate thought is that the picket fence around the shed is creating a barrier and restricting flow for the rest of the garden space, is there a reason for the fence? I’ve got a few ideas which I’ll jot down and do some sketches but on hols atm and internet access is a bit iffy!
matt3135
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks Rachel, the picket fence was because it was supposed to be a playhouse , I did that to stop my 2 dogs from going into that area so my daughter could play and it would be ruined.

But appreciate your feedback and yer any sketches etc would be amazing, just don’t spoil your holiday for me lol
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rachelmidlands
4 years ago
Back from hols, bit of sunburn but I didn’t forget about your dilemma:-). Had spare time today so did some sketches although looking back at your photos I realized the shed has door on the right rather than in the middle but you can alter things as you wish. Please bear in mind that I’m not a professional, just someone who loves garden planning and sketches are rough guesses from the given photos and not to scale.
So far as I can see the majority of the garden is well laid out. The patio by the French/bifold doors, the raised planters and the shed are in a good position and I don’t see any necessity in altering them. There are a couple of issues which i think I’ve tried to address in sketches. The pod seat looks a bit shoved up the corner so I would try and relocate this so it’s more involved in the garden and inviting to sit in. Perhaps replace that corner with a specimen tree or shrub suitable for small gardens. https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/20-trees-for-small-gardens/.
As mentioned before the picket fence I would remove as I think it blocks flow, I think I’d rather fence off the dogs rather than kids so perhaps by re using some of the fence to create gates between the main patio and the rest of the garden would enable you to give a bit more free space for either the dogs or kids, whichever prefers which. I notice the lawn is seeing a lot of foot traffic so by adding another pathway the other side of the raised planters should enable you to access other areas of the garden without stepping over the lawn. In sketch 3 I’ve tried to give you an extra patio for evening sun by extending the triangle but not sure if that’s poss but should be enough for a bistro set. Where I put low or ground level planting I was thinking something like ornamental grasses and such which I’ll post a few inspo pics. I do realize that I’ve decreased the amount of lawn in most but I do feel that the extra planting and pathways will help to bring the garden together and make it feel more intimate. Anyway, I’m waffling on, feel free to carry on or change my ideas. Try different layouts by using a garden hose or string and pegs, but most importantly work out where you’d like to sit out most and what you would like to view when looking from windows and of course pick plants for the right place. (Click on pics to enlarge).
rachelmidlands
4 years ago
Some more inspo.

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