Garden landscaping principles...where to start....

[another20]

Our back garden is wide, NW facing and looks out over fields.
Need to do some landscaping and looking for ideas that won't break the bank. House is modern flat roofed single storey with wide glass sliding doors from kitchen/diner, lounge and 2 bedrooms at the back. What are the things I need to consider?

You need to decide on the style - urban/cottage/contemporary? Also what the garden is to be used for - looking pretty/space to eat and entertain/race track/football pitch? Do you need to hide bins/sheds/other utilities? Washing line or rotary dryer space, or not? Might need a path so you don’t get wet feet.

It was a stunning cottage garden when we moved in - wealthy retired lady with a gardener 3 times a week - we then had 4 kids - so it became a football pitch, badminton court, dens, swings, slides and now a massive trampoline - kids are teenagers now but still use the trampoline regularly (have my eye on it) - so really need it to be low maintenance space for eating and entertaining. Bins and dryer are around the side of the house. I think it needs to be contemporary to match the style of the house.

It is on two levels - one higher up directly outside the house and then large lawn on the lower level - really just need to concentrate on the area up by the house.