Contemporary Family Garden
Contemporary Family Garden in Surrey (700m²)
In 2023, I designed this spacious garden in Surrey for a family with three young children. The concept centered around creating a generous, multi-functional outdoor extension of the home, spaces that would evolve with the family’s needs while maintaining a calm, contemporary feel.
The design introduced a series of connected garden “rooms” on a level terrain, including dedicated play areas, a family dining space, a sunken outdoor gaming zone, poolside lounging, and a secluded garden bar. A calm geometry ties the layout together, softened by natural stone paving with subtle accent patterns, ambient lighting, and richly textured planting. The planting design drew inspiration from the clients’ love of Japanese gardens - subtle, layered, and tranquil.
From the initial brief, it was clear that generous flat areas were key for active children and swimming practice. I created strong visual connections between the updated kitchen and living areas and the lawn, terrace, and pool. A feature pergola and wide steps mark the entrance to the pool zone, while two cosy hideaway spots offer retreat: one for relaxed family time near the games room, and a more secluded adult corner with a hidden bar built into the existing shed.
Proposed levels
Proposed garden space dimensions
Illustrative concept design plan
Relaxing pool side with feature pool wall
Natural stone walls and steps
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GARDEN MOODBOARD:
Mood boards play a key role in the garden design process. They bring together images, materials, textures, and colours that capture the overall style and atmosphere of a garden, helping to communicate the design vision clearly and effectively. This mood board below summarizes the key design principles that I used when drawing up the garden concept plan. It offers a visual reference that reflects the intended look and feel of the space, ensuring that every design decision is guided by a strong, cohesive aesthetic.
Sense of arrival at the entrance
Japanese influence in planting
Accent lighting on garden features
Generous flat areas for garden use
Sunken outdoor seating with fire pit
Large stepping stones with planting beds