Small Garden Design Help!!

3 years ago

Looking to update my outdoor space to make it more suitable for hosting. Would like to make it into a nice place to sit and have drinks outside. Any idea on what I can do?

North facing garden overlook by a small terrance from the house above. Currently split level to maximise the sun on the back half (otherwise it drops behind the buildings shadow) The kitchen / living room open ups onto the patio area at the bottom. Would like to add some raised beds and a bbq. Any suggestions on how to best layout the space / modification / colour choices would be apprechiated!! Looking for a modern / contemporary style.

Thanks in advance!

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Comments (2)

nancyorford
3 years ago
First of all, paint the fence. Natural wood says rustic not modern - lots of nice colours in the cuprinol/own brand ranges, or poss pale grey if it feels dark in garden.

Reduce the width of steps, so you have about a third of central steps and then build up either side so you have 2 large curved raised beds either side to level (or above) of top terrace. Plants in these beds should include some shrubs to act as a barrier, and perhaps some sort of low fence if you have children.

Some architectural very tall pots on the lower level.

Some low level lights on the steps & lower level walls - for looks & safety
christineacy
3 years ago
Hello Nick, What you want does depend of children and their ages. Sunlight etc And budget as excavating and making safe will cost. And style.

Some ideas:

1. Create 2 levels one at the same or just higher than you walk out level. This will be you BBQ area seating area. The rest grass and raised beds.

2. Create a sunken garden area taking out the middle where you would sit, eat...

3. Add large and small, potted plants on steps. The back of the garden add a trellis and grow rambling roses or clematis, This will soften the back. In between add lights.

4. Depending on you age and how much you like gardening. Very large pots can act as your planting area. Or create theraised bed all at the back.

5. Lighting on the wall all the way around. Above it an outdoor mirror to reflect light into the garden. Can be framed or not. Or a steel, aluminium... screen, with some sort of cut out design. The light behind and or in front of them.

6. Create a living wall. The living wall can be a mixture of edibles as well as flowers. Paint the white wall a different colour.

7. Make use of the steps. Take off the top and plant inside them, or add plant pots in them. Add decking to the grass, a circle or oval of decking. From the decking create a path going down, by covering the steps in the same decking. For a modern take on decking alternate concrete with decking. eg. a border of concrete which will match your white walls then decking in the middle.

8. Take out the steps at the side and make a large deep square or circular planting area out of concrete. Then you could plant a tree. (check appropriate sizes and growth time)

9. Your back wall can just be a fusion of different coloured lights, random or structured and or can change, or can be daylight bulbs.

10. Move your seating area to the brightest side / edge. This area an have built in seating, an out door banquette with storage underneath. The flooring in tiles or decking to zone off the area.

11. If you have a particularly dark area, why not put a structure there. A modern pegola and or light structure, sculpture with lights to brighten.

I hope these ideas help or a combination of them. They can be a modern or classic twist depending on what your style is.

Have fun :)
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Small Garden Design Help!!

Comments (2)

nancyorford

christineacy

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