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Big house small garden

26 replies

Ldnbuld · 13/07/2025 11:45

We are seen a house on very good road but garden is shallow just but wide plot

Our kids are in teens now and we are bit in delimma should we look for biigger garden

The house is under our budget houses on that road go well above the price for bigger gardens

We are in delimma should we go for it or look for bigger garden.

OP posts:
Archert · 13/07/2025 11:52

Depends if the shallow gardens means you are overlooked by neighbours or the garden wont get any sun. How old are your teens - do they still use a trampoline, play cricket or use goal posts?

I am keen to downsize from my huge high maintenance garden to something small and sunny - enough room for dining table, pots and a trellis is enough for me.

Iloveeverycat · 13/07/2025 11:52

Do you need a large garden. How long is it.

Ldnbuld · 13/07/2025 11:53

The house is on corner plot and garden is l shape they do play sometimes not much

OP posts:
housethatbuiltme · 13/07/2025 11:53

Why, do you live in the garden?

Gardens are a nice luxury extra but if you are on a budget always prioritize the house over the garden, the house is the practical bit.

Having teens means you don't really need a garden too, its younger kids that benefit from being able to play out in a safe space.

Iloveeverycat · 13/07/2025 11:55

As long as you have enough space around for table and chairs, few pots and a shed. That's all I have now

Ldnbuld · 13/07/2025 11:55

The garden is 21m wide but depth is just 8m

We would need some clever garden desgin to look big

OP posts:
Nourishinghandcream · 13/07/2025 11:56

Has the house been extended or built on what was the garden of a neighbouring house as either of these often means the house can be too big for the plot?

Personally I would hate a garden that was too small, I love having my own space and a natural barrier between neighbours.

diterictur · 13/07/2025 11:59

To state the obvious, it really depends on your preferences.

I would love it!

It's nice to have some garden to sit in and to store things in a shed but beyond that, for us it's just extra work

Iloveeverycat · 13/07/2025 11:59

I wouldn't call 26' length that small 68' wide is massive.

CorrectionCentre · 13/07/2025 12:00

I think the ratio of house:garden is a big factor.
You haven't said how big the house is. A 3+ bed house is a family home so size of garden will affect potential buyers if/when you sell.

But if the price, size of accommodation and location are perfect for you then you might want to ignore resale issues.

Ldnbuld · 13/07/2025 12:02

The house ia 4bed 2 bath plus utility and large internal garage around 2600 sqft

OP posts:
NoisyParakeet · 13/07/2025 12:03

8m depth is the average width for a terrace or semi - they are often less than that. 21m width is longer than many gardens so the overall size is not that small. It depends where you live what is average for you.
If you are a keen gardener, you would want bigger but for most people that is enough. Teens will not use the garden much.

BeMintFatball · 13/07/2025 12:13

Because the depth is shallow does that mean there is a neighbouring house at the back that feels close?

Also how old are you? Age creeps up and before you know it a lovely big garden is physically too much to manage.

We also live on a corner plot. Twenty years ago it was fab. The children could have lots of garden toys and there was a constant stream of friends here. But now we have a dog with pancreatitis and arseholes throw rubbish over the fence that separates us from the pavement. It’s a worry in case she eats something she shouldn’t. I’m not in good health and there is just too much garden to maintain. I’m now 59 . Love the house wouldn’t move but the garden is too much.

CorrectionCentre · 13/07/2025 12:17

Ldnbuld · 13/07/2025 12:02

The house ia 4bed 2 bath plus utility and large internal garage around 2600 sqft

Edited

There's definitely a mismatch between the size of house and size of garden. My garden is pretty much the same dimensions but length ways. I think it's a lovely size. But my house is a 2 bed Victorian semi and I only I have 1 dc. Growing up the garden was big enough for her to have a swing , play games, have a paddling pool etc.
I can host 10/11 outside if wanting to sit.

dogcatkitten · 13/07/2025 12:23

The question is do you like to garden? I like a big garden to potter around in, grow a bit of fruit and veg, have a greenhouse for tender plants and just a nice big private outdoor space. If none of that is important to you then no need for a big garden, particularly if there is a huge price difference to similar houses with big gardens.

sunseasex · 13/07/2025 12:35

How do you use your garden? Will it get any sun?

We moved from a detached 4 bed with big garden, to a terraced 5 bed townhouse with a tiny garden. The trade off was that the townhouse has stunning sea views.

GreenGully · 13/07/2025 12:35

If you aren't into gardening then it will suit you. Personally, I couldn't be without a large garden because I spend so much time outside.

Archert · 13/07/2025 12:44

Do all the houses in the street have the same shallow gardens? Is the price reflective of the smaller garden?

DuesToTheDirt · 13/07/2025 12:58

I'm faffing around on mumsnet procrastinating, because I don't want to do the weeding. The last couple of days I've pruned some big shrubs and I feel that's enough for the month! Our garden is not large, but really we only use one part of it regularly - the sunniest part, near the house, with chairs. The only person who goes in the rest frequently is me, to do the gardening!

I'll bet your teens won't care, and unless you're a keen gardener neither will you.

housethatbuiltme · 13/07/2025 13:05

I mean put in perspective we have a 4 bed house and our garden (well patio as its paved) is 3m x 5m (so 15sqm) and we do have young children that want to be outside. We prioritized have enough bedrooms and inside space that can be used all year round though.

Your garden sounds massive, far bigger than the one I had as a child which fit 2 big play frames.

Ldnbuld · 13/07/2025 13:39

Yes price is refective of that as larger gardens have much higher price which we cant afford.

Should we hire garden desginer to help it look nice .

OP posts:
LightCameraBitchSmile · 13/07/2025 14:14

21mx8m is not a small garden! I’m trying to buy a 4/5 bed with a 5mx4.5m garden - that’s small!

LightCameraBitchSmile · 13/07/2025 14:14

Do you mean ft not m maybe?

Lafufufu · 13/07/2025 14:18

If its metres not feet and it's not north facing i think thats fine tbh Its 1800 sq ft of garden....its just wide instead of long.

They wont be playing 5 a side but its big enough for plants a table & chairs and some interesting plants...

it sounds like a good solution in that it gives you all the living space you need in a location you want under budget...

BluGreenBlu · 13/07/2025 15:39

What direction does the garden face and are you keen gardeners? If its south or west facing it would either be sunny all day, or you would get evening sun. I've got a similar garden, and no young kids, so what I'm toying with (when finances allow!) is to take out the lawn completely, put really deep plant beds on all three sides and a patio the middle, something a bit like the images attached. Taking out the lawn, and have deep borders would make it easier maintenance too (big, established shrubs in big borders are generally easier to care for that lots of fiddly little plants or annuals in skinny borders, and no lawn maintenance to do.)
As the house you are viewing has such a wide garden you could put a huge shed in one far corner, and then 'hide' it by planting the really deep plant beds on that side in front of it. Its probably not something you'd want to do imminently with two teenagers in the house, but to be honest, the advice is usually to live with a new garden for at least a good year, so you can see what's already growing there and where the sun hits.

Big house small garden
Big house small garden