skip to main content

landscape design Design Dilemma Gardens

Help!! Garden design

3 years ago

Hi, new poster here. We are looking to design our garden to give us a lovely space to chill and enjoy. Bit of background... since moving in 5 years ago, our energy has been spent on renovating the house so the garden has been neglected. The garden is pretty much split in half by a middle section of trees but whilst this gives us privacy from the house at the back we can't see our son play and the whole thing has become a bit of a dumping ground. We would like to open up the garden but if possible retain or relocate the trees (not conifers) to at least provide partial screening from the house at the back. For the next few years the play area and trampoline need to stay but we have space at the side of the house for the shed to go so that will come out.

The only thing that works currently is the location of our furniture, because it is outside the doors we use it all the time. There is an issue with levels so we need to retain the higher level outside the doors but
ideally we would like to replace the decking with paving. We need to incorporate space in the garden for the hot tub too. We want something fairly low maintenance as we both work full time. We have a budget of 15k so hoping that would be sufficient?

I've attached photos and a plan to show the shape.Also it's a south facing garden. I'd be so grateful to hear your ideas and tips because we are just at a loss at the moment.

Thanks in advance

As well as

Previously we weren't overlooked which was lovely but now the house at the back has removed large trees which means we are directly overlooked.

Featured Answer

Angie

3 years ago

When we were thinking about our garden, I had in mind narrow borders down the sides. Then we engaged a wonderful chap who took our ideas and developed them into a wonderful space which we love and four years on it is still amazing. What he convinced us of was the value of a deep border where we could have a range of plants of various heights and textures. We’ve never regretted it. I thought I would make more work, but it’s actually made it easier to maintain.
We also wanted a curved path and circular lawn and these were accommodated beautifully, and take account of the varying levels in the garden. To us it looked level, but it’s not!
We also have a division part way down the garden, again recommended to us and proved to be just what was needed.
What we did was more than your budget, but we had a lot of excavation work and a very robust Japanese style pond, so I’m sure you could do a great job for what you have in mind.
Here are some pictures to give you and idea of the impact of the wider beds. These were taken just after the work was done. I must find some more recent ones! The recent ones are on my phone, not the iPad!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (17)

PRO
The Kitchen Lady UK
3 years ago
there is a lovely designer called Rocket Design who can help you from concept only, through to completion if required.
Sarah Ch
3 years ago
Trying to visualise it. So there’s the house and decking. Then grass, then patch of trees?
Related Discussions
Garden design ideas
Q
Comments (3)
HI -- That is a big yard . Section off for your needs . Plan a patio and entertainment area close to the house . Then an area for the kids and then an area for a garden if needed and so on . Maybe build a little garden /summer house that has a fireplace or is screened in . Then the left over area you could just have it as a natural meadow with lots of trees where you don't need to mow grass -- the dog would love that . Add lighting too. Use some Eco grass ( no mow ) and lots of perennials and trees . Make a grove of trees like aspens or birches . Because of the size of your property , you should consult with a landscape designer .
...See More
Garden help
Q
Comments (25)
Hi lots of different options and ideas going on. I had a similar wall and understand how mean it can be to little ones. I bought and put up the expanding wood trellis. This instantly covered the area at a very reasonable price. I then planted quick growing climbing plants. I'm not a great gardener so I cant remember what i had but ask at the garden centre they will advise you. But at least you have a barrier in place to minimize accidents.
...See More
Need help with ground floor house design ideas
Q
Comments (5)
Hi ! I think this house will benefit from from plenty of toy storage in the main family living space ( assuming this will be in the extension at rear ) as while little ones are so small they need to be in view - so perhaps you could design with this in mind and add a dedicated laundry room near the WC perhaps ? The current play room could maybe be used as a different function ? Do you need a guest room /study perhaps ? For when family members come to stay ? If so maybe the wc could be upgraded to a shower room ? There's lots of things you can do to make this work for you - just write a list of what could make your life easier now and for the next 5-10 years or so ... Some things will evolve or be ready to change by then - so being clever with your designing and planning now should put you in a good place further down the line too !! If this is something you need help with - hiring in a pro might be a good way of dealing with it - or alternatively put your wish list on here and see if you can get some fab ideas from the helpful Houzzers !!!
...See More
need help to finish patio and cover this bank. i do not want garden
Q
Comments (2)
I would use some tall grasses. The roots would keep that soil stitched together well. They have little maintenance and look fantastic in the light and breeze.
...See More
Sarah Ch
3 years ago
I’d add curves in!!I love wavy lines in a garden. I’d have swag with the decking and have a patio with wide steps maybe onto garden. When a curving paths down to a focal point at tree back.
Melanie D
Original Author
3 years ago
yep, then after the patch of trees is a further area where the trampoline, play area and shed currently are. I'll try and take a better photo of it tomorrow.
Melanie D
Original Author
3 years ago
first 2 photos show the back section of the garden from either side, 3rd photo shows the view back to the house and the last shows the view from the house.
PRO
The Rooted Concept Garden Designs
3 years ago
Hi Melanie,

it looks like you have a very nice plot to work with! Definitely opening up the garden will give you a very good result! You could exchange your decking for a raised paved area, but that would be a bit more expensive job. Other info such as some measurements would help to have an idea of how best to organise it (and locate the hot tub in the best place possible).

I offer a garden sketch service which is a very basic and affordable version of a garden design plan that can give you an idea of how your garden could best be best organised to suit your needs and make a strong visual statement. Please do get in touch if you are interested!
Melanie D
Original Author
3 years ago
We've sketched out this rough plan as something that could work for us. What do you guys think?
Angie
3 years ago
I should have said the first was the "before" picture.
Melanie D
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks Angie, you have a beautiful garden. I see what you mean about the borders, we definitely have the width to be able to accommodate wider ones so will look at that. What paving is your patio?
Angie
3 years ago
Some more recent photos. The far end is for fruit and cut flowers.
Angie
3 years ago
The paving was some kind of sandstone. I can’t recall exactly what it was.
I’ve just realised the latest pictures were a couple of months back. It looks so different now!
Melanie D
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks so much, really helpful.
PRO
Gerbera Designs (Garden Design)
3 years ago
Hi Melanie. I would definitely widen the borders. Your design looks quite linear. Maybe that's your preference but I think curves would work well in your space. It would also be good to have some focal points in the garden. It's definitely worth engaging a garden designer that can give you options. It could save you money in the long run. Regards Joanne
Oli I
3 years ago
Hi. We have a really similar garden layout and went through a revamp of our garden about 3 years ago.

My single piece of advice: Hire a professional designer.

It’s the difference between nearly good and really good.

Otherwise in 5years time, like us, you’ll be thinking “I should have done this, added that etc” they can also sense check your quotes for you.

There’s an article....

https://www.houzz.co.uk/magazine/how-much-would-it-cost-to-redesign-my-garden-stsetivw-vs~127833468

....Which helps.

Good luck!
Melanie D
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks for the advice, it is much appreciated. We will look into designers in the area. We did start off with a designer but it was quite a negative experience for us in so much as we got a design we were happy with but it was twice our budget and from then on in, the compromises we had to make to bring it within budget left us with something very plain. We have learnt a costly lesson though to talk about budget at the outset!
PRO
Gerbera Designs (Garden Design)
3 years ago
Yes budget is important. You could also phase the project from a build point of view.

Sponsored

Reload the page to not see this specific ad anymore

More Discussions

How would you lay out this bathroom?

10

Belgian style renovation of small building to office/ studio

0

Panelling hallway & cupboard

0

bathroom renovation advice

0

Tiles for open plan space

5

Ireland

Tailor my experience with cookies

Houzz uses cookies and similar technologies to personalise my experience, serve me relevant content, and improve Houzz products and services. By clicking ‘Accept’ I agree to this, as further described in the Houzz Cookie Policy. I can reject non-essential cookies by clicking ‘Manage Preferences’.