Project Description

Sensory Family Garden Design Project

The Garden Design Brief

This project in Chiswick, E7, was designed for a family currently renovating their home and looking to transform their garden alongside their interiors. With three children, including one who is neurodiverse, the clients wanted a space that could offer fun, creativity and calm in equal measure. They envisioned a garden full of colour and texture, combining areas for play, sensory stimulation and year-round entertaining.

garden design

A Garden Designed for the Whole Family

The design focuses on creating a practical yet stimulating outdoor environment that supports both family life and relaxation. The clients enjoy entertaining and have already built a pergola to provide shade and shelter, allowing them to make full use of the garden throughout the seasons. The new layout complements this structure while introducing a more dynamic flow and purpose to each area.

Vibrant Patio and Water Feature

Directly outside the back doors sits a small porcelain-paved patio, designed to form a seamless extension of the indoor living space. A decorative tiled raised bed runs along the front of the paving, introducing colour, pattern and an attractive focal point when viewed from inside the house.

Nestled between the paving and raised bed, a bespoke stainless steel water rill runs flush with the ground, fed by three water spout pipes set into the raised bed. This gentle movement of water enhances the sensory appeal of the space, offering a calming visual and auditory element that can be enjoyed all year round.

To the right-hand side of the patio, a timber bench has been incorporated alongside a second decorative raised bed, providing a practical seating spot surrounded by fragrant herbs and lush planting.

Playful Pathways and Entertaining Spaces

An informal pathway winds its way down the garden, made up of porcelain plank stepping stones interspersed with low-growing ground cover plants such as sedum and creeping thyme. This softens the hard landscaping and introduces a tactile, sensory quality underfoot.

The pathway leads up to the existing decking beneath the pergola, which will be expanded with matching porcelain paving to form a larger, more cohesive entertaining area. The family’s barbecue will be positioned in the right-hand corner, while a chunky timber beam spans the width of the patio, supporting climbing plants and fairy lights for a warm, atmospheric feel.

A bespoke drop-down dining table has also been designed to attach to the timber beam, allowing flexible use of the space for family meals and social gatherings.

Interactive Play and Sensory Features

Further timber beams and posts will extend from the pergola, creating secure suspension points for children’s play equipment, including a cargo net, swing and monkey bars. This thoughtful integration of play into the design allows the children to engage physically with the space while maintaining the garden’s overall style and structure.

Throughout the garden, colourful planting and tactile materials bring a sensory richness that appeals to all ages. Movement, sound and scent combine to create a garden that evolves beautifully throughout the year.

Before The Garden Transformation

The resulting design drawings showcase how the new elements come together to form a space that is both engaging and functional. The before-and-after images highlight the remarkable transformation from a plain, underused garden into a joyful, multi-purpose outdoor retreat that perfectly suits the family’s lifestyle.

Before

Sketches, Concepts & Design

This Chiswick sensory garden design perfectly balances playfulness with tranquillity. From the soothing water rill to the vibrant planting and imaginative play zones, every feature has been carefully crafted to engage the senses and enhance family life. The result is a garden that feels uplifting, personal and designed to be enjoyed in every season.

As with all ED Gardens projects, the design began with an exploration of sketches and inspirational imagery provided by the clients. These ideas reflected their desire for a vibrant, family-friendly garden with strong sensory appeal.

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