Charming Small Townhouse Garden with Pergola

“Our small, north-facing garden presented quite a design challenge, and we were struggling to visualise how to make the most of the space. Nick and Doug came up with a fabulous design that completely transformed the space, creating three distinct, usable areas. They even managed to incorporate four planting borders and three potted trees, far more than we imagined could fit. A huge improvement from the grey composite decking and 2 unhealthy trees we had previously.

We wanted something low-maintenance and usable year-round. They incorporated an all-weather space into the design and came up with the brilliant idea of lowering the ground level to maximise the sense of space and volume.

Everything ran so smoothly, within a couple of months of getting in touch, the design was done, the landscapers were lined up, and the project was completed in two weeks.

They timed the work around a trip we had planned, allowing the hard landscaping to be completed in our absence. Since then, they’ve been back several times to check on the planting and ensure the garden continues to look its best.

We couldn’t recommend them highly enough, they were a real pleasure to work with.” - Suki & Dimitri W4

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When we were first approached to design this petite garden in West London, it soon became apparent that our clients had big ambitions for the space. Their primary requirement was an all-weather pergola capable of accommodating their gym equipment, which is used on a daily basis. In addition, they wanted an outdoor seating area surrounded by wildlife-friendly planting to create an inviting and vibrant environment for themselves and their adorable young son.

It was also essential to ensure the garden was flooded with natural light, as demonstrated in the image below. This shaped the overall design, influencing the placement and structure of key features to maximise the light throughout the area.

As you can see in the image above, taken just after completion, the small pergola is set on a lower level to alleviate any issues of it dominating the space, and so that its overall height stayed well below that of the boundary fences.

This thoughtful positioning ensures that the pergola integrates seamlessly into the garden, maintaining an open and spacious feel. By lowering the pergola, the design prevents it from overshadowing the garden or creating an imposing presence, which is especially important in a compact outdoor area.

The outdoor seating area is characterised by a distinctive Dutch paver ‘bridge’ that stretches from the corner of the pergola to the boundary. This feature is constructed from small brick Dutch pavers, which are softened by the inclusion of ground cover planting nestled within pockets of gravel. The interplay between the hard landscaping and the planting gives this part of the garden a real focal point.

To further enhance the structure and privacy of the seating area, we incorporated large terracotta pots planted with ornamental trees. These pots not only provide a sense of enclosure but also introduce vertical interest and additional foliage, contributing to the overall ambience and visual appeal of the garden.

On the left is a closeup of the planted ‘bridge’. The taller planting of the border that runs along the pergola becomes lower to allow visitors to walk easily into the seating area. On the right, is a view from the pergola down the small side return to the house.

As with all our gardens, the use of subtle lighting creates a wonderfully restful atmosphere, perfect for relaxing with family and friends when night falls.

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So, if you are looking to make the very best of your outdoor space, no matter how small, why not get in touch?