Would you like to help me plan my garden (please?)

[MovinOnUp]

As I haven't the foggiest where to begin.
I kind of know what I want though. (Or think I do)

I have a strip of grass that measures roughly 22 feet by 8 feet. The 8 feet is to the left of the patio doors as you come out of the back of my house and the 22 feet runs the length of the garden and the back of my house faces East.

At the far end is a black cherry tree, But other than that it's pretty much a blank canvas.

I read recently about a couple who repurposed their baby bath into a mini wildlife pond, I'd love that.
I'd also love to grow something to cover the 22 feet of ugly six foot fence that runs the length of this patch of garden.

I have a dog that needs somewhere to nip out for a pee and a poo so I would need to keep a bit of lawn so I guess I'm looking at a border (does that sound right?)

I'd like to attract as much wildlife as possible, Especially butterflies and bees.
I'd love an Acer too, even a small one.

The best advice I can give is to take it slowly, and do a little bit at a time. If you see a plant you like the look of, do your research first and find out all about it. Then you won't make expensive mistakes or end up with a bunch of dead sticks!

Start with a list of things you'd like to have, and then work out the most suitable place for them. Remember things like bins, washing line and somewhere to keep bikes, lawnmower etc.

Yes, take it slowly, do some planning. For various reasons we waited a year before doing anything so got really used to where the sun was and knew where we wanted a seat for morning coffee, where we got the last of the sun in winter, best place for a table for eating out and the shady spots.

Plan where shed, composter, etc are.

If you are going to put in a border - the wider and bigger the better. You could always have a small circular lawn and some paved area for seating and then a big border.

If you want herbs it's handy to have them by the kitchen door. Plant something that smells nice by your coffee seat.

Make sure you have outside tap.

Put some height in - think of trees and wafty grasses and tall perennials.

It's a fairly long narrow garden so put some curves in so you can't see right to the end!

Suttons, and I guess others too, has a section on their website for bee friendly and butterfly friendly plants plants. Perhaps you can find some inspiration there. A word of warning on the pool though, they can attract mosquitos who then lay eggs.

Thank you for all this advice.
Shed, bins etc are all accounted for, This small strip of land is the only bit I have to create an actual garden.

Maybe a rockery in the lefthand corner with the mini pond in front of it?

I could concentrate on getting the rockery/pond corner done first and work my way up to the cherry tree at the bottom.

We are in the Highlands of Scotland so we get a lot of midgies anyway, Wouldn't want to add mosquito eggs to the mix.
I wonder if there is any way to repel them?
Maybe a plant they don't like or something?

There is a fab thread in gardening - showing a garden transformation I will see if ami can find it!

Thank you @Janesdufflecoat I do love a good before and after.