'We now have an EXTRA ROOM'

Keen to transform her neglected garden, Mel created a low-maintenance outdoor space that’s great for relaxing

- ANNABELLE GRUNDY

Revamping the back garden was way down the agenda when we moved here,’ says Mel, ‘as we were a busy family with some ambitious renovation plans for the house. We had a lawn in the front garden with space for the children to play, and we could eat outside there too, so the back garden wasn’t a priority. It was mostly tatty concrete paving, plus some mature trees and shrubs, and lots of weeds. Apart from a bit of cutting back, we hardly ever went out there. Even so, we knew it definitely had potential, and we talked about making more of it one day.

Work on the house took several years, so by then I’d developed some really clear ideas for the back garden. I visualised a chilled, outside lounge that would be useful for years to come.

Planning the design