Original Designs

Inspirational Ideas

Creative Transformations

Original Designs

Inspirational Ideas

Creative Transformations

Original Designs

Inspirational Ideas

Creative Transformations

Original Designs

Inspirational Ideas

Creative Transformations

Hot tub garden, Great Missenden


This medium-size rear garden was laid mainly to lawn with a handful of shrubs and a very large protected mature oak tree to the rear. The design brief was to create a stylish, contemporary yet low-maintenance space to complement the interior of the house. At the same time we had to keep a large shed and provide space for a new hot tub. The garden was completed shortly after lockdown and so provided the owners with the perfect staycation garden during the early summer months enabling the whole family to take full advantage of the new space.

The design divides the garden into three interconnected zones: a dining and bbq area; an outdoor lounge space, and a dedicated area for the hot tub. The hot tub sits on a composite deck and is surrounded by bespoke contemporary trellis panels on two sides to give a sense of enclosure and privacy. New bi-folding doors open out onto a new outdoor lounge-style patio in large porcelain tiles while the dining and barbecue zone is readily accessed via the client's kitchen doors.

Pathways link each zone with a sloping ramp enabling garden equipment to be moved with ease to and from the shed. To reduce the shed's dominance in the garden it was painted black, along with the existing fence panels. Garden lighting was used to extend use of the garden after dusk and also to highlight key garden features, including pathways and plants and, of course, the hot tub zone. A simple, low-maintenance, easy-to-care for planting scheme provides year-round interest and colour with bold, exotic/architectural foliage featuring specimen Camellias, Acers and Hydrangeaas along with grasses and perennials. A row of five espaliered Photinias create instant height and privacy from neighbouring houses.