Garden design ⋅ landscaping ⋅ small ⋅ designer ⋅ stoke newington ⋅ st albans
In London, particularly in places like Stoke Newington, many properties have small gardens due to space constraints. After buying a house and potentially expanding it with additions like a new kitchen, bathroom, or loft conversion, attention shifts to garden design and landscaping.
Maximising Your Space
Maximizing space becomes crucial, especially in urban settings, to accommodate relaxation and entertainment areas, storage solutions, and, of course, planting spaces.
Your outdoor area might be restricted, but there’s no need to lose hope. Consider crafting an intimate courtyard garden design in Stoke Newington. Contemplate your garden’s purpose. Do you desire a spot to unwind with loved ones, seek privacy from neighbours, or cultivate a serene green oasis?
Consider introducing a focal point to enhance visual interest in your garden. Whether it’s a small water feature, sculpture, or strategically placed item visible from your dining room or kitchen, a focal point can elevate both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Planting As A Focal Point
Planting can also serve as a natural focal point, such as a specimen tree or shrub in a large pot, mature olive trees, or bay trees and box topiary. A tropical planting scheme in a raised bed at the garden’s end can also work wonders for garden design and landscaping in Stoke Newington.
Consider your storage needs, whether it’s for bikes, tools, or the lawnmower. If you have children or pets and desire a soft lawn, you might be contemplating real grass.
Install Low Maintenance Artificial Grass
Alternatively, low-maintenance artificial grass could be a practical choice. Explore options like sheds, bin tidy solutions, custom bike sheds, or under-seat storage to cater to your requirements.
Consider incorporating additional features to enhance your outdoor space in Stoke Newington. Introduce a paved seating area to create a charming space for relaxation and social gatherings.
Install A Sandstone Patio
Opt for a stylish sandstone patio to infuse your garden with a contemporary flair, offering a sleek and modern aesthetic.
Install Hardwood Decking
Alternatively, indulge in the luxury of a hardwood decking area, providing a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere for outdoor entertainment. Whatever your preference, it’s evident that a well-thought-out garden design and landscaping plan is essential to transform your outdoor space into a haven of beauty and functionality in Stoke Newington.
Start by choosing a garden design theme that matches your taste, whether it’s modern, traditional, or vibrant tropical. This theme sets the tone for your garden design in Stoke Newington, bringing together all its elements. It helps you pick the right materials for landscaping and plants, ensuring a cohesive and appealing look for your outdoor space.
Space is tight, so you’ll need to compromise. You can’t have it all and still keep things spacious. Focus on what’s essential to avoid clutter. Make sure there’s a spot for sitting, relaxing, and entertaining. Natural stone works well for flat gardens, while decking is perfect for sloped ones.
MATERIALS • PLANTING
When it comes to materials, choose quality natural options like sandstone or slate paving, which lend elegance and texture to the design. For low-maintenance options, consider incorporating box hedging, crocosmia, and lavender.
Relaxed Curves • Formal Lines
Emphasize relaxed, rambling curves over formal lines, and prioritize planting tight, symmetrical arrangements with classic choices like lavender, alliums, hebes, and gaura for bursts of color.
GRASSESS • ARCHECTURAL ELEMENTS
Incorporate grasses like stipa and miscanthus for added interest in larger beds. Traditional garden designs are particularly well-suited for period properties, with options ranging from sandstone paving to slate for an opulent touch.
Less Is More
When it comes to planting, a restricted palette such as an all-white scheme with climbers like jasmine or clematis can create an elegant look, complemented by white flowers like magnolia and iris. Additionally, add architectural elements like box balls, pittosporum shrubs, and bay trees for structure and interest.
Contemporary gardens combine modern style with timeless charm using clean lines and minimalism. They avoid trendy colors and flashy decorations, opting for neutral tones and natural materials for a calm atmosphere.
A Functional Garden • Eco Friendly
Everything in these gardens has a purpose, like seating areas or eco-friendly elements. Overall, contemporary garden design achieves a balance between modern looks and lasting elegance, creating a fresh yet timeless outdoor space.
Contemporary Gardens • Vertical Greenery
For a contemporary garden, maximize your space by adding vertical greenery and choosing light paving. Use simple straight lines and large stones in a clean pattern.
Sandstone • Lush Planting
Consider contemporary materials like Kandala grey sandstone or granite. Plant tall, colorful plants with lush foliage, and add movement with grasses and ferns. Think about hot colors like alliums and verbena for vibrancy. With these elements, you can create a modern yet enduring garden design.
Choose quality materials like single-sized pavers such as 900 x 600 sandstone, especially Kandala grey, or porcelain, which is easy to clean and durable.
Granite Edging Setts • Raised Beds
For contemporary gardens, consider adding curves with granite setts or EverEdge edging. Raised beds, made from softwood or hardwood sleepers, can enhance the look, but horizontal installation is quicker. Vertical sleepers are great for curves but require more effort and may not last as long. Rendered raised beds, especially with a slatted fence, add a stylish touch.
Porcelain Paving · Granite Edging Setts · Rendered Raised Beds · Decking
Planting is the finishing touch for your contemporary garden design and landscaping in Stoke Newington. For raised beds, consider adding phormiums, Stipa grass, hebes, euphorbia, and verbena.
Olive Standards • Bay Standards
Grey-toned plants like olives and bays complement the modern aesthetic. In larger gardens, consider planting a single-stemmed avenue of silver birch for added elegance. To introduce spring interest, include a magnolia tree in your design.
Its great to have a seating area to relax in. This could simply be a shady bench. Enclosed with planting. You may opt for a table and chairs, for outdoor dining. Or you could build, a custom timber, seating area. With raised beds and planting.
Keep the paving simple. Go for a strong bold look. Soften with planting. Create beds. For height and impact add raised beds with lush planting. Add edging setts to frame beds and borders.
Create a comfortable sized space. For 4 people, allow a minimum of 3 x3m. With a cooking area, allow 4 x4m. Add planters around the seating, to soften the look. Box standards for a formal feel. Phormiums for a more contemporary, tropical feel.
You will need some type of storage. Whatever size you have, you will fill overtime. Space is limited. It’s a good idea to ©fertile ground landscape ⋅ add it, around the edge of the garden. Not taking up room. In the sun trap. In the middle of the garden. Think about your access points, in and out of the garden. Especially, if you need to move your children’s bikes. In and out of the garden area.
Privacy and noise can be an issue in your courtyard garden. Add a tall thin storage shed. Along your boundary fence. Creating privacy, without taking up valuable floor space. Plants such as bamboo or hedging. Will also help, with the noise.
Create furniture or planters with hidden storage. Great for garden equipment, or seasoned wood, for the chiminea.
Create a raised bed. Great for adding planting height. And interest to a courtyard garden design . For a light, contemporary feel. Choose a white rendered wall, planter. For a more classic traditional landscaping, stoke newington. Choose natural stone cladding. Sleepers work well in zen or tropical garden design.
Choose plants with good height or compact and interesting shapes. Make sure you have good drainage in your beds. Bamboo, palms, and ferns. Work well in contemporary, tropical and zen garden design.
Traditional retaining walls ⋅ rendered walls ⋅ k render ⋅ design clad
First, think about where you might view the garden from. In your house. Windows or a bi-fold door. Next think about the garden. Where will you sit? How will you walk through the garden? These are your key areas, for focal points. Leading the eye. Making the garden appear larger. Remember, don’t overdo it. They should appear natural. An integral part of the garden design and landscaping, stoke newington. Not artificial. Or added as an afterthought.
It’s always good to match your focal points. To your gardens theme. For a contemporary garden design and landscaping, stoke newington. Add a contemporary stone or steel sculpture. Add corten steel for that weathered look. Or may be a minimalistic stone fireplace or fire pit. Specimen plants, can also act as a focal point. Topiary, a row of cypress trees, a cloud trees or pleached trees. These can really pull a design together. If space, is at a real premium. Make the ‘dining area’ the focal point. This could include a BBQ area or a chiminea.
Traditional garden design ⋅ landscaping
A classic water feature, is always a winner. Adding sound and movement, to your garden design and landscaping, stoke newington. A weathered stone trough, and a simple aged wall mounted, spout. Add pots and pebbles, to soften the trough. Statues are a matter of taste. Remember, they need to be in scale, with your garden design. Again, specimen plants, can act as a focal point. Especially, when displayed in large planters.
Zen ⋅ tropical garden design ⋅ stoke newington
Focal points should be natural and laid back. Aged timber structures and zen statues. Partly hidden by foliage, waiting to be discovered. Here, you can have fun. Add multiple small focal points. Each an accessory to your garden design and landscaping, stoke newington. Water features work well, if you have the space. Avoid pools of water, which can be a hazard for the young and old.
Whatever you add. Needs to be ‘aged’ for the antique look. Aged mossy boulders, pebbles and rock monoliths. Specimen planting can include tree ferns, palms, and acers. Soften with ground cover. Thyme carpets or pachysandra mats.
Add some theatre to your garden design and landscaping, stoke newington. Add lighting to your garden design project.
At the design stage. It’s a good time to think about your lighting. Cables can be easily laid under the paving areas by a professional electrician. Hidden from view. Great for illuminating focal points. Or for creating a great atmosphere, for an evening’s entertainment. Proper planning will enable you to easily have a power supply. In your garden room or shed. Or your outdoor waterproof sockets.
Very small ⋅ simple ⋅ modern ⋅ ⋅ contemporary ⋅ front garden ideas ⋅ landscaping ⋅ on a budget ⋅ photos ⋅ UK
Garden design Landscaping · Stoke Newington
Looks like the real thing! No mowing. If installed properly it won’t waterlog. Child and pet friendly. Can be used all year round!
Cut down your watering , during those long hot summer months. Reduce your weeding. Add decorative bark to your flower beds. It captures water. And prevent waterloss. Creating moist conditions. Great for plant growth. Great for insects, including worms. Great for your soil!
Sit down and relax with a programable irrigation system. Drippers are efficient. Reducing the amount of water wasted, due to overwatering. Great for pots, beds, and window boxes. Entry level systems and now very affordable. Running off your garden tap. Power by a 9-volt battery.
Selecting Stones · Tools · Laying Natural Stone · Porcelain Laying
Most gardens designs will need a seating area. Great for entertainingand relaxing. Decking and paving work well. Creating a flatarea for a table and chairs. Or add decking for garden sofas. Is temping to use shingle, as a cost basis. However, if you have ever walked barefooting. It’s worth avoiding!
Natural stone paving works well in any garden design project. It’s great value for many. Especially compared to the inferiorconcrete products. It’s natural in appearance. Unlike the printed concrete pavers. It’s available in a variety of finishesand colours.
Naturals stone paving agesand wears well compared with concrete. And is easy to clean and look after. Especially if the stone is sealed!
There is a variety of stones available for your garden design project, Stoke Newington. At a variety of prices. Natural stone includes Sandstone, Granite, Limestone, and Slate. Most stones are available in four and five sizes. 300x 300, 300 x 600, 600 x 600 and 900 x 600.
For a traditional pattern lay a four stone pattern. Most stones are now laid in a more contemporary single size pattern. Usually 900 x 600 or 600 x600. This style pattern looks great in both a traditional and contemporary garden design.
A single size pattern looks better with cleanerlines and an unfussypattern. It makes laying a patio a lot simpler. And copes with unsquared areas and unusual shaped gardens.
Stone supplier will be able to supply single sizes packs on request. It leads to and you won’t run out of any stone sizes. It’s quicker and more efficient also to lay for your friendly paving contractor. less wastage. Most online stores will want to sell patio packs. But this generally leads to more wastage.
Sandstone Natural Stone Paving ∙ is great value for money. Even when compared with cheap concrete pavers. It ages and wears well. And can be sealed. Creating an easy to clean. Low maintenance paving Area.
Finishes include both contemporary and traditional. For a traditional design. Select a riven stone. Autumn brown works well. For a more contemporary feel. Select sandblasted or honed sandstone paving. With a smooth non-riven surface. It’s easy to cut and easy to work with.
Slate Natural Stone Paving ∙ it’s a luxury product. And one of the more expensive natural stone products. Deep in colour and luxurious in appearance. It’s easy to clean and generally doesn’t require sealing.
The slate looks great, in front of the house. And works well with both traditional and modern contemporary properties. Lay an alternating 600 x 600 and 600 x 300 two stone pattern. Add pots and plant with ornamental bay trees to complete the look.
Granite Natural Stone Paving ∙ sits between sandstone and slate in prices. It’s extremely hard-wearing. And available in smooth and textured stones. It’s a great looking stone with a slight sparkle. Great for a contemporary garden design. Choose single size 600 x 600 for creating paths. Linking key areas in your garden design Stoke Newington.
Limestone Natural Stone Paving ∙ Similar price to sandstone paving. It looks a little like slate paving. But at half the price. It can fade a little in colour over time. And is slightly prone to staining. It’s a good idea to seal your limestone paving. Always try your sealant on a test piece before sealing the entire patio area.
Porcelain Paving ∙ is not a natural product but man-made. It’s very consistent and appearance. And available in a variety of colours and finishes. Some contemporary. And other more traditional.
Porcelain paving is extremely hardwearing and resistant to staining. Spills some oil. Simply wipe off and clean with water. This is because porcelain is extremely impervious to staining.
Porcelain paving is slightly harder to lay than traditional natural stone paving. Firstly it’s extremely hardand brittle. Making cutting the stone slightly trickier.
Always invest in a qualitydiamond blade. Spectrum blades are great for cutting all kinds of stone. Always select the right blade for the right stone. A porcelain diamond blade for a porcelain stone.
The second problem is the impervious nature of theporcelain stone. Thenon-porous nature of porcelain. Means you need a bridge bond. This helps the mortar to stick to the underside of the stone. SBR can be used. Or specific bridge bond is better. Which is easier to apply to the stone. You can still lay on your 4:1 sand cement mortar bed. There are other systems available. Using reinforced beds. Allowing you to lay a thinner 25mm bed. Just remember it’s the weight of the mortar which holds the stone in place!
Remember to be careful when using SBR. It will stick to anything in sight. Trowels, buckets mixers. Only us thing in contact with the SBR. That you are happy to throw away at the end of the project. Once your stain a stone it’s very hard to remove without specialist solutions.
After clearing the site. Your first task is to excavateyour ground for the crushed concrete or type 1 MOT. You need to add about 100mm (that’s the depth when compacted).
The paving will need to fall away from the house. This is particularly important when considering the damp course. The paving need to be at least 2 bricks below the damp course or air bricks (about 150mm).
Always com squareoff the back of the house. Not the fences or garden paths. A large bricklayers square will give you an easy right angle. Helping you to create a square patio. Use metal stakes.
Cut down some rebarand use the brick line. Drive in the stake. Find the line-height using pegs and level. Mark the stale with a small strip of duck tape. And then add your line. The duck tape will allow you to remove the line. And reset it without getting the level out again. Saving you time and effort.
Gloves ∙ These will protect your hands from mortar burns. Which can cause your hands to dry out and crack.
Steel toe Capped Boots ∙ a must. Drop a stone on your stone. An addedlevel of safety when cutting stone with the angle grinder.
Levels ∙Essential for levelling your patio and creating straight edges. Helping you to mark stone for cutting. Have the longest level possible – 6ft. And aslightly shorter level. Around 900mm. Always go for a quality heavy. That is easy to read.
Spades ∙ Trowels ∙ Add the bulk of the mortar with the spade. And find tune it with your trowel. Have a large trowel. And small trowels for hard to reach areas. Great for your garden design project and landscaping, Stoke Newington.
Large stones need a lot of mortar for your 50mm bed. Taking ¾ a barrow per large stone. You are going to need a mixer and probably a couple of barrows. Set up the mixer on a couple of plyboards. There are also used full to create walkways to prevent you from staining the stonework.
A binfilled with water will speed up the mixing process. Add plasticiser and frost-proof if needed to the bin.
Sponges ∙ Emusifier pads ∙ Finally you need to clean your stone. To prevent mortar stains. Sponges or even better emulsifying pads. Use plenty of water!
Here is our guide to what is new for garden design in 2022, Stoke Newington.
Outdoor Cooking ∙ Garden Design ∙ Landscaping ∙ Stoke Newington
Outdoor cooking is big in 2022. Forget the small BBQ. Full blow grills and oven are in. Accessorised with outdoor fridges, sinks and storage. BBQ is bigger with more features. With food preparation areas in storage. BBQ fuels include charcoal, gas cylinders and electric hookups.
BBQs have become bigger. And with more features. Smokers are popular for meats. With build-in thermometers. Some thermometers can actually blue tooth your phone! Great garden design and landscaping Stoke Newington.
Ceramic egg shape BBQs are popular. Such as the Kamado Joe. These can be free-standing or can sit on a purpose-made countertop. The Kamado Joe works on charcoal. And has a built-in thermometer. It is great for BBQ Meat. Grilling Vegetables. Or Smoking fish.
Free Standing BBQ ∙ Freestanding BBQs are great if you want an occasional BBQ that will overwinter in the garage. They aren’t as robust as a built-in BBQ unit. And the gas cylinder is on show. It’s a good idea to invest in a good cover. Freestanding BBQ can have a tendency to splash oil and Grease onto your BBQ. Seal your paving or sit the BBQ in a tray of sand.
Built-In BBQ ∙ a more stylish option is to create a built-in BBQ. The BBQ units are available in matt black or stainless steel
Block Work ∙ Brickwork ∙ your BBQ workstation can be constructed out of blockworkand rendered. For a contemporary feel. Or brickworkfor a more traditional. Storage works well. And food worktops. Worktop options include polish concrete, slate, marble or porcelain.
4 free-range chicken thighs , skin on, bone in
4 free-range chicken drumsticks , skin on, bone in
1 fresh red chilli
RUB ∙ GARDEN DESIGN ∙ LANDSCAPING ∙ STOKE NEWINGTON
2 heaped teaspoons fennel seeds
1 heaped teaspoon smoked paprika
1 heaped teaspoon golden caster sugar
1 level teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
BBQ SAUCE
200 g light soft brown sugar
200 g tomato ketchup
200 ml fresh unsweetened apple juice
100 ml bourbon whisky
4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 heaped teaspoons English mustard
2 oranges , juice of
a few splashes of chipotle Tabasco
1 pinch of sea salt
Outdoor kitchens are gaining in popularity. Most units have a high-end stainless steel finish. And are modular. Enabling you to decide on which elements you want to add to your outdoor kitchen. Modules include Grillsand ovens. Available in gas or electric. Stainless steel outdoor fridges. Stainless steel storage units. And plumbed in stainlesssteel sink units.
500g lamb mince
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander
2 fat garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp chopped mint
oil for brushing
PIZZA OVENS ∙ GARDEN DESIGN ∙ LANDSCAPING ∙ STOKE NEWINGTON
Everyone loves a good pizza. It’s great for entertaining and fun to make. Pizza ovens are gaining popularity. Fuels include traditional wood burners. Gasand electricity. Pizza ovens are available in a variety of sizes and finishes.
Small Pizza Ovens ∙ Garden design ∙ landscaping ∙ Stoke Newington
Small portable units are great. And convenient. Are can be stored away when not in use. Finishes include stainless steel and mat black.
Pizza kits are available for large pizza ovens. They can be built with food preparation areas and storage. Finishes include contemporary white render. Or brickwork for a more traditional feel. Always use quality bricks. To avoid that cheap 70s look. Reclaimed brick looks great. But are quite expensive. New tumbled bricks are available for a worn-in look.
600 ml – 2.5 cups water (room temperature)
1 kg – 35 oz Le 5 Stagioni Napoletana Pizza Flour, Tipo 00 (RED)
30 g – 5 teaspoons of salt
1-2 g – half teaspoon of fresh yeast
32 oz can San Marzano tomatoes
3 tablespoons good olive oil
1 large garlic clove, pressed or very finely minced
1 teaspoon dry oregano
3–4 cracks freshly ground black pepper
Kosher salt to taste (usually about 1 teaspoon)
For the base
1 batch white sourdough (see step 1)
strong or plain flour, for dusting
For the topping
2 x 400g cans plum tomatoes
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to serve
1 tsp dried oregano
300g mozzarella, torn into chunks
small bunch of basil leaves picked (optional)
Natural stone paving will look great in any garden design. Both contemporaryand traditionalgarden design. Creating a seating area for relaxation and entertaining.
Stains can be a problem for your new patio. Foodand drinkstains. Oil stains from bikes. And general wear and care from childrenand pets.
Slate ∙is a naturally stain resistant stone. It’s pretty imperviousto stains. If anything. The slate won’t seal well due to its non-porous surface.
Porcelain ∙ is a man-made product. That’s gaining popularity. It’s available in a wide range of shades and textures. Some contemporary and some traditional. In appearance. It’s extremely hard wearing and stain-resistant. Spill oil on your next porcelain paving. Porcelain simply repels oil and grease. Mop up the oil and grease with a rag. And wash down your porcelain paving with water and clean with a cloth.
There are two main types of sealant available for your paving project. Epoxy or polyurethane type sealants or water base.
Epoxy Sealants ∙ These tend to give your paving a wet look. They do somewhat enhance the paving colour of your patio. Many feel it gives your paving an unnatural or synthetic look. They are generally hard and messyto apply. Always test a small area. Before sealing the entire patio. Once apply they are hard to remove!
Water Base Sealants ∙ These are easier to work with. And generally, give you paving a natural look. In many instances, it’s hard to tell whether or not the paving has been sealed. They can be removed. Again, always test your sealant on a small area. Before applying to the whole patio!
Here are our tips, for successfully applying a water-based sealant!
If your paving is newly installed. Leave it to the weather in. For a few months before sealing your paving. First, give your patio a brush or blow. To remove any loose dirt and debris from your paving.
Apply a patio cleaner. Dilute in water. And apply with a deckingbrush. Be careful around ponds! Let the solution dwellfor the allotted time. Don’t let the cleaner dry on the surface of your paving. Finally, rinse off.
Next pressure washes the paving. To mechanically remove any stubborn dirt. Before careful not to place the nozzle too close to your paving. It will mark the surface.
The final stage is to seal the paving. Apply the water-based sealant with a roller or brush. Work from one end of the paving to the other. Most sealants recommend two coats.
Weather is important. Avoid wet days. The rain will wash off the sealant. It needs to be warm for the sealant to cure. And not too hot for the sealant to evaporated too quickly!
Contemporary ⋅ zen ⋅ tropical garden design
Month by month ⋅guide
Hardcore ⋅ garden ⋅ waste disposal ⋅ lawns problems
Paving plans ⋅ natural stone guide ⋅ setts ⋅ stone cladding ⋅ finishes ⋅ buying stone
Clearance ⋅ fences ⋅ climbers ⋅ screens ⋅ painting ⋅ trellis ⋅ screening
Outdoor ‘rooms’⋅ slatted fence ⋅ vertical greenery ⋅ raised beds ⋅ climbers
Getting the beds ready⋅ selecting plants ⋅ growing conditions ⋅ how to plant ⋅ watering
160 ⋅ GARDEN DESIGN IDEAS ⋅ HARPENDEN
Contemporary ⋅ traditional garden design ⋅ Paving ⋅ decking ⋅ Retaining walls ⋅ sleepers ⋅ render ⋅ cladding ⋅ ordering bulbs
Sandstone ⋅ finishes ⋅ natural stone edging ⋅ stone walling ⋅ porcelain paving
Types ⋅ construction ⋅ balustrades ⋅ lighting ⋅ millboard composite
Slatted fence ⋅ add curves ⋅ trellis ⋅ create curves ⋅ add interest