STEP OUTSIDE
Before they built their new extension, Judith and Adrian Macbean's garden wasn't used much and felt disconnected from the house. Now they can open the glazed doors up completely to enjoy life al fresco
‘Our garden is an unusual shape, forming a triangular point towards the back end and bordering with four neighbours,' says Judith. 'We wanted a low-maintenance coherent planting scheme, with a lot of evergreens so there would be year-round interest. It was important to transform the garden into somewhere we would want to spend our time.
‘Anna Penning-rowsell designed the planting. We’ve kept established trees and a few of our favourite plants and brought everything together using a scheme of repeating shrubs and grasses. Large pots filled with annuals and evergreens add further interest and colour. Originally we were going to have the horizontal fencing on both sides of the garden but the cost was too prohibitive, so we painted the other fence dark grey to tie in with the house's window frames and the garden furniture. Climbers on both fences grow on stainless steel cables arranged in grids, which are revealed as a modern structural design feature in winter.
‘Some of our favourite plants include an actinidia, which is a climber with beautiful pink tipped leaves, and agapanthus. They work as striking “bookends” to the border, flowering towards the end of the summer. The patio is York stone relaid by our builders during the extension build, when the garden levels were changed. We bought the festoon lights from Amazon. We spend so much more time in the garden. During lockdown we even did exercise classes outside – no doubt to the amusement of our neighbours!’
COSTS & CONTACTS
Fencing £4,090
Planting design and work £3,342
Astro turf & miscellaneous £2,450
Total project cost £9,882
Architect Edwards Rensen, 020 3227 0122, edwards-rensen-architects.co.uk
Planting designer Anna Penning-rowsell, annapenningrowsell.com
Decking & fencing Inside Out, insideout-gardening.co.uk
DESIGN & MAINTAIN
First, map out the garden and see how much space you have to create different zones. Even small spaces can be designed to include a place to sit and relax, and one to grow plants. If you have more room but want something low maintenance, consider how much of the area will be covered by grass that you'll need to mow. You can lay a new lawn between early autumn and early spring, or plant seedlings, which will cost you even less. If you want artificial grass, bear in mind that it will cost more than real grass as it requires more prep work, but you can lay it at any time of the year. Using potted plants lets you add interest and colour without having to work large patches of soil. For the illusion of more room, establish zones using different materials: for instance, a patio or decked area with seating that’s suitable for dining and connects to the interior, a lawn area for children to play, or a vegetable or flower bed.
HARD EDGE
Almost no garden is complete without having some sort of hard landscaping. You might already have a patio area that just needs to be spruced up. Try pressure washing the area to remove years of built-up dirt. If you have some broken and uneven slabs, these could be repaired or replaced. However, if you want to replace all the slabs entirely, or transform this area into a raised deck, call the experts in to help you prepare and fit everything. Decking is ideal for gardens on a slope where you want to level things out. You can choose from composite materials, which come in a wide variety of colours, or a timber material that can be refinished when it starts to fade.
INSIDE AND OUT
Adding large swathes of glazing creates a visual connection between internal and external spaces. You can blur the lines even further by using the same type of flooring so that the internal and external zones flow into one another. Ensure that the chosen flooring is suitable for both indoor and outdoor application, such as slate, some porcelain, travertine and limestone tiles.
SORT STORAGE
The trusty shed doesn’t have to be dull and boring: consider repainting a tired one in a fun shade, or hang colourful plant pots on it. If you don’t have the space for a shed, you can incorporate smart storage solutions into your garden scheme. Choose multifunctional furniture or designs that are easy to put away – like bench seating that opens up to provide space for tools, or a folding bistro set that can be hung onto a fence/wall. Built-in seating can even be incorporated around a tree or along the edge of raised beds.
OUTDOOR CINEMA
While we haven’t been able to get to the cinema in a while, people have started setting up their own. It’s a great way to enjoy movie night with the entire family while making the most of the warmer weather. The set up is something that can be done relatively easy and involves getting your hands on a projector and a white wall, sheet or screen and speakers. You’ll be ready to project films or photos in no time.
FAMILY FUN
Whether you have small children and pets who want to run around, or young adults keen to relax with friends, acknowledging needs will help you create a space that works for everyone. A hanging egg chair, tree-hung rope swing or hammocks could provide fun for all, while teepees can be just as engaging as a tree house, but taken down easily. Before installing a permanent and expensive play set that takes up lots of space, consider how long the children will use it for, and whether there are temporary additions you can incorporate. Check whether designated play areas receive enough protective shade at the height of summer.
QUICK REFRESH
A fresh coat of paint can work wonders, whether applied to a tired fence or masonry wall, or used to upcycle old wooden furniture. You can spray paint metal vases and plant pots to add pops of colour when your flowers aren’t in bloom. Creative types have even used concrete paint to stencil over patio slabs, which is time-consuming but can give great results. Replacing broken fencing and adding a trellis will instantly make the space look more cared for.
THROW SHADE
If you’re fortunate enough to have established trees in your garden, you might be able to use them for natural shading in the summer: simply add loungers underneath to create a comfortable seating area when temperatures rise. You can also keep it simple by using an affordable parasol, which can easily be stored away when not in use. A striking pergola can create an entertainment area with climbing vines to finish. Fit a retractable awning to the exterior wall for wider protection.
LET’S TALK LIGHTING
Get your garden lighting right and you’ll be able to enjoy the space on warm summer evenings. Whether you illuminate the patio or decked area by fitting wall-mounted units to an external wall, or hang a chain of festoon lights along the fence, you can enhance the natural features of your garden space or create mystery and magic. Illuminate a pathway to guide your way to different areas, or try hanging an Ip-rated pendant above your table for outdoor dining mood lighting. LED solar powered light sticks are great for highlighting particularly striking plants. They require no electrical prep work: just pop them in raised beds or plant pots.
WITHIN LIMITS
Updating your garden doesn’t usually require planning permission unless you’re in a Conservation Area or listed building, where you could require consent to remove or install hard landscaping. One planning restriction that will affect most UK homes is that you cannot build a boundary wall that is higher than two metres, or one metre if it’s by a road. You will also need consent if you intend to lay impermeable paving in your front garden. If you choose to install decking, it cannot take up more than 50 per cent of the garden.
AL FRESCO COOKING Take your summer BBQ sessions to the next level by creating an outdoor section dedicated to preparing summer meals. It can be as elaborate as you want, and having one means that you don’t have to leave your garden party to prepare and collect food and drinks. Even if you’re not great at
DIY, you can still build your own bar or kitchen using a moveable trolley or carts to store tools and utensils. What better excuse could you have for building a pizza oven?
PERFECT TIMING
Winter is a good opportunity to get an idea of the bare bones of your garden: the leaves will have died back and you can see the space that you have to work with, which will help you when preparing your design. If you want to have a garden that looks good by the summer, depending on whether it needs a complete overhaul, you might need to get to work during late winter and early spring – especially if you’re changing the landscaping and installing new beds.
PLAN FOR PLANTS
Growing from seed will save money, but it requires patience. Find out what type of soil you have and your drainage conditions so that you can choose the flowers that will thrive. Take time to see how the sun moves around the space so you know where to position flowers that respond well to sunlight or are happier in the shade. If the soil conditions aren’t great, create raised beds or use plant pots instead. Choose plants that flower during different seasons for year-round colour. Try mixing annuals, which flower once, with perennials, which will flower every year, and even biennials, which flower for two years. Get inspired by visiting garden centres and nurseries.