Garden design ideas.

[GardenParden]

I've got vague garden ideas, but they are not fully formed garden ideas.... Can anyone tell me where to start?!

We've got a decent size garden. There is a large old shed on one side which needs to come down, and I'd like to replace it with a multi purpose garden room/office. But also that whole side is a bit shady and unloved, and the fence there is ropey - I'm thinking new fence and a paved area for shade/BBQs extending beyond a new garden room. I'll still need a small garden shed for the lawnmower etc somewhere. There is a summer house/glorified shed in the other corner useful for children's garden toys storage. There are several trees involved both sides, and a wide developing border which could do with properly defining on the sunny side.

I wish I was one of those people who could 'see' ideas and options but I've got to accept that I'm not ☹️ Where do I start in nailing this down? I feel like I need a design "plan" before asking for quotes for fences and offices etc, but I'm struggling to create that on my own!

Any ideas where to start would be great!

Hiya @GardenParden . Firstly, can you post some pics of what the starting situation is? Secondly, there's a gardening board and they (we) LOVE this kind of challenge - especially with pics!

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I'm a garden designer and would happy to look. Advice would be to list what you would like to include.

Outdoor dining area or kitchen/BBQ area?
Lawn
Kitchen garden
Play area etc

Then work out best locations for these and how you connect areas.

Edging is important for maintaining and defining areas.

Dm me if you like.

Can you do a sketch, showing where north is, and apprx heights of things like trees, neighbours houses, overlooking windows, stuff you cant move, any significant gradients, etc.

Then list all the things you have to have..priority (1).
Followed by the things your household REALLY want to have...priority (2)
Then the things you'd prefer to have but could live without (3).
Then out and out luxuries... (4).

From there, you can figure out a layout. EG the bit that gets evening sun and isnt overlooked is probably good for a patio, but the shed can go somewhere out of sight, the bit where you want children to play probably best to be in sight of the house.

Try not to get bogged down in plants, just decide on what shapes and heights will work for your layout.

Thanks all! I'll get some pics later today, and maybe even a diagram ooooh 😄 I dithered where to post this as it's more patio and shed-y than planty, but maybe I should've gone with Gardening.

@GardenParden to be clear, it's not that I didn't think you should post it here, just thought you might get more help on gardening. No reason not to post on both! 😄
Look forward to seeing some pics.

Need some inspiration to make this cold concrete jungle of a backyard into a serene peaceful paradise. Help 🙌 me

Hi Vicki? I think this didn't get any attention because it wasn't on its own thread?

I'm a garden designer and happy to help if you are still interested. DM me if so.