Our Garden Patio Renovation & Seating Area Before/After

I am really excited to be sharing our garden renovation! Since we moved into our home, we’ve tackled one room at a time. Many of which I’ve shared here on the blog.

But today, it’s all about the exterior. It’s the last of a long list of big jobs we were tackling. The reason for the long wait with the garden makeover? Our kitchen extension. We just couldn’t do too much before then.

In this project, we had to do:

• Garden wall with render
• Lighting
• Steps
• Patio tiles
• Border planting
• Retaining wall

Ready to check out the patio before and after? Let’s dive in.

Patio Before The Renovation

Over the years little changed with the patio. The walls were crumbling and no amount of jet washing seemed to save the slabs. We removed lots of conifers and bushes to replace them with pollinator-loving plants, flowers and trees. As well as install new fencing, a raised veggie patch and an inground trampoline.

We’re very lucky to have such a large space, but that being said it’s a big project that is going to take some time. One thing I’ve learned from gardening is certainly, patience. Not one of my strengths, but when it comes to growing, it simply takes time.

We removed an old lean-to conservatory which is where our new extension is now. So the shape of the patio has changed somewhat. We’ve also made it larger to allow space for our seating area and BBQ, where we can host loved ones without needing to spill out onto the grass.

We wanted to change the walls, the slabs and the lighting too, as well as complete the fence and have a rendered garden wall. Planting is massively important to me and I really had a vision of not only how I wanted the space to look, but the feeling when I am in it.

Seating Area & Garden After

Pattern Patio Tiles

First up, the biggest decision for us has to be the patio tiles. We searched high and low, but as soon as we spotted Mandarin Stone’s Casa Grande Porcelain Tiles (AD/Press Discount) we were in love! I really wanted a pattern tile, that wasn’t Victorian in feel, but more modern to suit the new extension.

So these bold pattern tiles were perfect for our corner outdoor sofa area to break up the patio space.

We chose the light grey matching tiles to bring cohesion to the whole space. They also work beautifully with our concrete effect kitchen floor tiles for a really gorgeous flow when the sliding doors are open.

 

Sleeper Retaining Walls

To add softness and natural material, we chose to have wooden sleeper retaining walls. Our garden slopes gently so we needed something to replace the brick and I think the wood really adds some rustic charm. We chose pressure-treated wood to hopefully ensure they last many years. I am excited to see them weather and silver to match the fencing as the years go on.

I also hope to have some plants gently cascading over the sides of them as they start to bloom and grow.

Metal & Wooden Fencing

I did much research on the perfect fencing without breaking the bank. We wanted a fence that would last many years, but I didn’t really like the concrete posts and wooden posts don’t tend to last as long. That’s when I found DuraPost. I love the dark grey posts against the locally sourced fence panels. I think they make a great backdrop to the plants as well.

 

Planting

I can’t not mention my beloved plants. I am somewhat hooked on plants, seeds and garden centres! Whoops. In the garden currently, I have gone for purple and white flowers and I may also add another colour soon. I just can’t decide!

For the shadier side of the garden we’ve planted:

• Silver Birch
• Hydrangea
• Allium
• Tulip
• Fern
• Hosta
• Hellebore
• Japanese Anemones
• Ravenswing
• Cosmos
• Ammi Majus
• Viburnum
• Climbing Rose
• Clematis
• Cat Mint
• Lady’s Mantle
• Lupin

On the sunny side of the garden we’ve planted:

• Peony
• Dahlia
• Lilac
• Star Jasmine
• Rudbeckia
• Grasses (including Pampas Grass)
• Tulip
• Lupin
• Catmint
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Callicarpa
• Budlia
• Eucalyptus

I am sure we will continue to add more perennials, trees and shrubs as the years go on. I also grow annuals from seed and dahlias from tubers each year. I just love watching them come to life over the summer months.

Garden & Patio Lighting

We installed modern black wall lights, but we haven’t really used them much yet. They are smart lights we can control and change the colour with an app.

I wanted a cosy feel to the patio, so we decided on installing festoon lights with a warm glow over our corner sofa. We picked ours up from Lights4Fun and installed a wooden post to make sure they are really secure. I would like to add some soft lighting to the borders at some point but want to make sure they are eco-friendly and solar-powered. And not contributing too much in terms of light pollution so I will be having a think about that over the coming years.

Corner Outdoor Sofa

After searching high and low for a good quality outdoor sofa with great reviews, which is also timeless in style. We purchased the set from Club Rattan which we’ve now had for a couple of years and it’s really comfy. I love lounging on it with a view of the garden. The table raises to dining height too and we love al fresco dining on it in the warm weather.

 

Further Reading

• 1930s Kitchen Renovation Before/After
• Living Room Renovation 1930s
• Hallway Renovation 1930s House
• 1930s Bathroom Renovation