How to plan to include a larger than average garden building

PRACTICALITY IS KEY in any garden design. The garden has to work for the owners in whatever way they need to use it. After that, it's a case of making it interesting. This client will soon convert their garage into extra living space, so their number one priority for the garden was a large building (to house all the stuff in the current garage).  They were struggling to know what else to do with the garden.

I was delighted to be contacted by this client, whose sister's garden I had designed over 16 years ago.  This client had watched her sister's garden mature, and now she asked for my expertise to help plan with her own garden.

THE BRIEF

• Provide space for a large timber building, part bike store, part general storage

That was pretty much it for the client brief, but I could also see some other issues......

• There was not a great deal of planting, but what there was, was all in shade, so in the height of summer, there was no colour in the garden.  
• It was difficult to get through the narrow side path of the house to the garden, past various dustbins and recycling boxes. The new shed was to house bikes, so a clear run was a must!  
• The current patio seating area was directly in front of the living room patio doors. (something I always avoid if possible, since it blocks the view from inside)

THE SOLUTION

• There are two enormous Oak Trees with TPOs in the neighbouring gardens, so there would always be shade, ( and leaf fall!) however, there was a large sunny area right in the middle of the lawn, for a good few hours each day in summer. My design would make the most of that space, providing colourful planting.
• In order to give more plants a chance to get established near the tree roots, timber raised beds 20" high, would give the plants a good start, getting their roots established, and maturing to screen the fence.
•  I suggested a bin / recycling store should also be top priority, so that the side path is clear.
• Move the main patio space to between the patio doors and kitchen window, therefore the view is no longer blocked from the patio doors. Have a second seating area, outside of the new garden building, offering views back to the house. The central sunny border than can be enjoyed from both sides, and  much more of the garden will be USED, rather than sitting only next to the house wall.

The client is only part way though painting the fences, and the garden building is not yet in place. I will revisit next year, but for now can share how the garden looks after planting today.  (December)

The client was nervous about loosing so much lawn in the design, but I hope now convinced (and certainly by next year when it's full of colour) that they will use and enjoy so much more of the garden now.

(Before photos at the end)

This will be the view looking back from the front of the new building when it arrives.
The gravel channel (drainage) will be the front edge of the building, the paving area in front will be pathway
leading to a small seating area further to the right. The gate on the left is one of two gates giving access to a bin store, and will be painted to match the fencing, and therefore becoming more seamless. (the BBQ will be stored elsewhere)
On the fence, an evergreen Jasmine and a climbing Rose, will clothe the fence.

In the central sunny border, glaucous foliage of Eurphorbia and Dianthus provide evergreen
structure, and will be joined by a range of sun loving plants next spring.

This will be the view from a seating area in front of the new building.  (BBQ storage next to the timber beds.)
View to the right are the shade beds and to the left the sunny border across the centre of the garden.
Next spring, the deciduous shrubs and perennials will completely transform the planting areas. 

Coming into the garden from the side path, a gate (to the right) allows
access to a bin store.

The central sunny border has medium height "see through" planting, including Salvia Caradonna,
which teams up well with silvery Ballotta.  A small Magnolia, Fairy Rose, Sedum, Gypsophilla are amongst other long flowering plants, giving seasonal interest in this sunny border.   In the background, the raised bed for shade plants including
Photinia, Holly, Sarcococca, Ferns, Hellebore and Brunnera

BEFORE.....

BEFORE. The patio barely big enough, and the rest of the garden mostly lawn.
Easy to maintain, but no inspiring to sit  in.

BEFORE. A large sunny area in the centre, but only lawn, and a garden shed

BEFORE. Kitchen window view. The old shed, pretty, but not large enough for the future plans.
Lots of bare fencing, which is never pretty to look at. Focal point is a covered BBQ.

BEFORE. Side path. Difficult to navigate.