Haha, we'll never get there! I am thinking I might need a designer of some sort to help me as I mentioned pergola idea to husband and he's really keen but neither of us can figure out where it would go, we don't have the vision!
I think it is quite lovely as it is. Except I would replace the square paving slabs with brick pavers to match what you have. I would lift the brick pavers close to the decking and grade the soil and then re lay them so you have a paved ramp coming down from the decking which smoothly meets the path. Rather than that little ramp. And replace the gravel at the bins with pavers as well - I'm sure you keep kicking the gravel onto the pavers every time you move the bins.
You could still widen the borders against the fence just by cutting the decking. If you want to plant taller things I suggest you may be better planting a couple of small trees along the boundary fence. If you choose the correct location for them you will break up the sight lines to your neighbours. It will still take years for this to take effect unless you can afford to buy bigger trees (and sometimes smaller trees will grow faster than bigger trees!).
As for a pergola - it could be built out from your patio doors to the edge of the decking but be aware that although it will give privacy it will block out the sun so if you are sunlovers this may be a nono.
As for growing something up the house wall. You could build a deep (2 ft) bed behind the bench.
As you can see, I am trying to work with what you have rather than ripping it all up and starting again!
'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
Thanks hogweed. The little ramp was put there by my boys to scoot down! And you are right, the gravel is a total pain... We are in the very fortunate position of having a small sum of money specifically to get rid of the decking (my mum has contributed a bit as she hates how dangerous it gets when wet!) So I think we are going to go for it and get the lot done. I think now we have reached an idea of what we want and will consult with the patio man and see what he thinks... Thanks again everyone!
Elspeth, your pictures don't really demonstrate how overlooked you are because they are concentrated on the ground level.
Since screening is the point of this then my feeling is to have the pergola down the end of the garden where the windows are (I think - hard to tell from the pics).
Under the pergola you can have a table and chairs.
This won't block light to the house.
You might think about sightlines - from the places where you sit. so if you like to take coffee on the patio, what windows can you see and how can you block their view.
Yep, think that's where we'd put it... As for sight line, think we'd be looking at a couple of tall, evergreen shrubby things or climbers if ok with neighbours... Really excited about it, gathering quotes from patio people this week! Looking forward to coffee on patio soon ?
Posts
You could dig it up and regret it and never be able to get it back.
OR
You could leave it in, work around it, find out it doesn't work and dig it up anyway.
Others have suggested that actually it's holding you back from designing the ultimate garden - is it? It's only small.
Personally, I would be reluctant to remove something that has taken time to establish.
I know this isn't helpful!
This +1 from me
Haha, we'll never get there! I am thinking I might need a designer of some sort to help me as I mentioned pergola idea to husband and he's really keen but neither of us can figure out where it would go, we don't have the vision!
Wonder if the Rich brothers are free?! ?
Thanks Chrissie will see what's available (Although budget is tight...)
Here's a couple more pics Doghouse, taken from step ladder to try and give better idea of space!
The last pic is looking down on to bins, hope the other two are self-explanatory!
Question is, where would a pergola go?
I think it is quite lovely as it is. Except I would replace the square paving slabs with brick pavers to match what you have. I would lift the brick pavers close to the decking and grade the soil and then re lay them so you have a paved ramp coming down from the decking which smoothly meets the path. Rather than that little ramp. And replace the gravel at the bins with pavers as well - I'm sure you keep kicking the gravel onto the pavers every time you move the bins.
You could still widen the borders against the fence just by cutting the decking. If you want to plant taller things I suggest you may be better planting a couple of small trees along the boundary fence. If you choose the correct location for them you will break up the sight lines to your neighbours. It will still take years for this to take effect unless you can afford to buy bigger trees (and sometimes smaller trees will grow faster than bigger trees!).
As for a pergola - it could be built out from your patio doors to the edge of the decking but be aware that although it will give privacy it will block out the sun so if you are sunlovers this may be a nono.
As for growing something up the house wall. You could build a deep (2 ft) bed behind the bench.
As you can see, I am trying to work with what you have rather than ripping it all up and starting again!
Thanks hogweed. The little ramp was put there by my boys to scoot down! And you are right, the gravel is a total pain... We are in the very fortunate position of having a small sum of money specifically to get rid of the decking (my mum has contributed a bit as she hates how dangerous it gets when wet!) So I think we are going to go for it and get the lot done. I think now we have reached an idea of what we want and will consult with the patio man and see what he thinks... Thanks again everyone!
Elspeth, your pictures don't really demonstrate how overlooked you are because they are concentrated on the ground level.
Since screening is the point of this then my feeling is to have the pergola down the end of the garden where the windows are (I think - hard to tell from the pics).
Under the pergola you can have a table and chairs.
This won't block light to the house.
You might think about sightlines - from the places where you sit. so if you like to take coffee on the patio, what windows can you see and how can you block their view.
Just some ideas, hope it helps.
Yep, think that's where we'd put it... As for sight line, think we'd be looking at a couple of tall, evergreen shrubby things or climbers if ok with neighbours... Really excited about it, gathering quotes from patio people this week! Looking forward to coffee on patio soon ?
Thanks!