Unlocking the potential of a shaded suburban garden

Designer:
Rob Hughes
Area:
170m2
Location:
Didsbury
Buildtime:
2 months

This north-facing, shaded garden came with a few challenges for a young family who wanted space to unwind and play football all year round. One of the first priorities was to address the lawn, which suffered from poor drainage and was often too wet to use.

We installed a new land drainage system early in the build, creating the foundations for a flat, hard-wearing lawn that now stands up to year-round use. The existing slope across the garden was carefully regraded to form three distinct, level areas, making the space more usable for children’s ball games and better suited to family life.

Hard landscaping features Grey Luna porcelain from London Stone, laid in a clean grid bond. The pale grey tone and subtle texture bring warmth and simplicity, setting the tone for the contemporary layout and working in harmony with the house.

Planted borders run along the rear and side boundaries, softening the black batten fencing whilst adding form and colour to the space. These low-maintenance beds help define the space and create a calm backdrop for the cedar hot tub and relaxed seating area beneath the Renson bioclimatic canopy.

We also installed a bespoke Da Vinci Concrete bar complete with fridge, storage, heating and integrated seating. This extends the use of the garden into the cooler months and provides a dedicated space for hosting and entertaining.

Access to the rear garden was narrow, but by temporarily removing a section of fencing and coordinating with neighbours, we were able to bring in larger machinery and carry out the groundwork efficiently. This early access made it possible to deliver the two-month build without delays.

The result is a well-zoned, low-maintenance garden with smart drainage and hardwearing surfaces. It’s a space that works for family play, quiet moments and year-round entertainment.