Project Description

Modern Family Garden with Dining and Entertainment

Family Garden Design with Dining and Play in Leigh

This client, based in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, had recently completed extensive building work on their property and was ready to turn their attention to the garden. They wanted a space that complemented their new extension – modern, functional, and family-focused.

The brief was to create a garden with multiple areas for dining, relaxing, and entertaining, while also providing a safe and inviting space for their grandchildren. Beyond the existing rear fence lay an unused patch of land, which the client wanted to reclaim as part of the garden to maximise the available space.

The overall vision was to create an inside-outside flow, connecting the new extension to a beautifully designed garden that could be enjoyed throughout the year.

garden design

Outdoor Kitchen & Lounge Area

To the left of the patio doors is a cube fibreglass planter and bespoke storage shed clad with London Stone DesignBoard deck boards. To the right of this area is a powder coated aluminium water table beside a second cube fibreglass planter, placed to create a focal point from the house interior.

The middle section of the roof garden features a vented powder coated aluminium pergola to provide shelter and shade in all weather. Two fibreglass planters installed down the left-hand side add colour and foliage. A large, low, bench/day bed constructed from DesignBoard decking at the far end of the pergola offers opportunity for seating and sunbathing, with space underneath to store a wooden sandpit on wheels.

There is ample space towards the rear of the terrace for the client to add an L-shaped sofa at a later date. Tall fibreglass planters installed along the parapet on the rear boundary add further colour to the space.

Family & Play Area

The rear section of the garden has been extended by reclaiming land beyond the existing fence. This newly incorporated area will become a dedicated family zone, complete with a swing, trampoline, and plenty of space for additional play equipment.

This thoughtful layout ensures the garden remains beautiful yet functional, appealing to both adults and children – a hallmark of ED Gardens’ approach to family garden design.

Planting Scheme & Finishing Touches

Throughout the garden, a combination of rendered concrete and fibreglass planters in elegant blue tones adds visual interest. These are finished with tile detailing that reflects the colours found in the client’s kitchen – subtle blues, oranges, and neutrals for a unified aesthetic.

The planting scheme features a refreshing blend of purples, whites, and lime greens, with accents of yellow for contrast. Closer to the house, evergreen plants provide structure and year-round appeal, while herbaceous perennials towards the rear add texture and movement.

A bespoke water feature runs through the garden, bringing a sense of calm and continuity that ties each area together beautifully.

Before & After

Before the redesign, the garden felt disjointed and underutilised – particularly the unused section beyond the fence. With ED Gardens’ expertise and bespoke design sketches, the space has been transformed into a contemporary family garden that blends style, comfort, and functionality.

The before and after images illustrate this transformation, showcasing how thoughtful design can completely redefine an outdoor space.

Before

Garden Design Concept

Directly outside the patio doors, the new design features a composite decking walkway that runs along the full width of the house. This deck links the home to the outdoor space, creating a cohesive transition between indoors and out.

To the right-hand side, steps lead down to a stunning patio framed by raised beds and a bespoke water feature. This patio is spacious enough to host a dining table with fixed bench seating, making it perfect for al fresco meals and family gatherings.

Above this area, a custom-built pergola made from hardwood timber and steel tubing will offer shade and privacy, with climbing plants softening the structure over time and enhancing the garden’s natural charm.

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