Though small in size, this garden was full of potential - including a characterful dry-stone boundary wall that was revealed after removing large sections of overgrown ivy. Tired and outdated, it needed modernising to make better use of the space and create somewhere that would grow with the clients and their young children.

We retained and remodelled the original raised beds, increasing their height and giving them with a smooth painted render finish for a fresh, cohesive look. These now frame a central lawn that provides an open, versatile space. To unify the space, we extended the raised beds along the remaining boundaries to wrap around the garden and form part of a new dining area. Here, we introduced timber slat screen fencing and tall evergreen planting to improve privacy from neighbouring properties, while a bespoke bench with built-in storage adds a practical feature to the space.

Despite the small footprint, the garden now contains three distinct zones: a lawn to play, a sociable dining space, and a feature walkway. The planting, carefully chosen to suit the mix of full sun and shade, combines evergreen shrubs with colourful perennials to provide year-round structure and seasonal interest. The finished garden is now a private and functional space that provides this family with a calm and peaceful oasis within the heart of the city.