Multi-Level Garden With Office and Privacy Planting

The Brief

The client has lived at the property for many years, and the garden is overlooked from several sides, so improving privacy was a key priority. Due to the very sloping nature of the plot, terracing was required to create functional and accessible outdoor spaces. The client will also be working from home and plans to install a garden office. They wished to retain an area of lawn for their dog, and the existing rabbit hutch also needed to be incorporated into the design. As the garden receives a great deal of sun, a provision for shade was also essential.

Garden Design Solution

The new design is arranged across several levels to accommodate the varying slopes and inclines. To the left-hand side, laid on an angle to the house, is a large area of decking that wraps around the property directly outside the playroom. This space will house an outdoor dining table. Steps lead down to a porcelain-tiled patio positioned in the most secluded part of the garden. A vented aluminium pergola provides shade as required.

The centre of the space features an artificial lawn, raised at one end to create a level surface suitable for the client’s dog. A rendered raised bed introduces terracing to support the level change at the bottom right corner of the garden. This area will house a new outdoor office along with a small porcelain-tiled patio.

Set within the rendered raised bed wall is a simple yet elegant water feature, consisting of a copper pipe flowing into a reservoir to create a calming atmosphere. This can be enjoyed from the integrated bench incorporated into the office structure.

Steps lead back up the right-hand side through terraced rendered raised beds. Plants will fill the gentle slope through the centre of the garden, adding horticultural interest near the house. A mix of evergreen and deciduous trees will be planted along the boundary to improve privacy, provide winter interest and introduce varied textures.

Next to the house, the existing rabbit hutch will be positioned beneath a wooden roof canopy for shelter and integration into the overall design.