CASE STUDY
Urban Garden – Creating a Private, Romantic Retreat
Our clients envisioned a private, inviting urban garden that maximised every inch of their outdoor space while combining practicality with charm. The brief focused on creating a space that was welcoming, low-maintenance, and full of character, reflecting a romantic, cottage-style aesthetic.
Design Brief and Considerations
During our initial consultations, several key requirements emerged:
Built-in seating area for socialising and relaxation
Romantic, cottage-style planting scheme
Storage solutions for cushions and essential garden tools
No lawn to reduce maintenance
Easy access to drains at the rear of the house
Privacy from neighbouring properties
In addition, we needed to retain practical features, such as:
Parking for one car within the garden
The existing interior fireplace, to remain in its current position or be re-used
Balancing these needs meant creating a garden that was both functional and full of charm, a true extension of the home.
Creating a Cottage-Style, Wildlife-Friendly Garden
The design centred around a built-in seating area, providing a comfortable focal point for relaxation and social gatherings. Surrounding this, a cottage-style planting scheme was carefully curated, combining flowering perennials, climbing plants, and fragrant shrubs.
Key benefits of the planting choices:
Wildlife-friendly: Offering food and shelter for birds, bees, and other pollinators
Seasonal interest: Colourful blooms throughout the year
Romantic atmosphere: Soft textures and layered planting create a cozy, enchanting feel
Practicality Meets Style
The garden incorporates clever storage solutions discretely integrated into seating and structural elements, keeping cushions and tools easily accessible without disrupting the aesthetic.
Parking was thoughtfully planned to accommodate a single car while maintaining the garden’s overall design flow. Hard landscaping materials were chosen to allow access to drains and ensure durability, while complementing the natural feel of the planting.
A Private Urban Retreat
The result is a charming, intimate garden that perfectly balances beauty, wildlife, and functionality. From the inviting built-in seating to the cottage-style planting, every element was designed to enhance outdoor living in a private, urban setting.
This garden demonstrates that even in a compact urban space, careful planning and design can create a peaceful retreat that feels far removed from the city, while still meeting all practical needs.