Set within a new-build property, the garden already had a clean, contemporary framework. Our role was to blur the lines between indoors and out, reinforcing the idea of the garden as an outdoor room – somewhere to be used year-round, not just viewed from a distance.
Influenced by Japanese garden principles, the courtyard garden design focuses on flow, balance and sensory experience. A key feature is the bespoke water trough, designed and adapted by our team as a cost-effective yet highly refined way to introduce moving water, a key element of Japanese garden design.
Low maintenance planting takes inspiration from Japanese gardens while being tailored to the clients’ lifestyle. Structural planting provides year-round interest, with tree ferns adding texture and presence, Japanese acers bringing seasonal colour, and grasses introducing softness and movement.
Low-growing alpines are encouraged to weave through the rocks over time, allowing the garden to evolve naturally and become more established with age.
The bespoke water channel carries moving water, one of the main principles of Japanese garden design
The small courtyard is perfectly designed around the central water feature
Blurring the boundaries between indoors and out
A small space designed to be used large, for entertaining when the family descends
The courtyard acts like an extension of the home
Low maintenance planting and organic rocks soften the look of the retaining wall
Result
The finished courtyard garden design is small but perfectly formed – a space that feels welcoming, balanced and deeply usable. It offers the clients a peaceful retreat for everyday life, while remaining flexible enough to host family gatherings when the house is full again.
More than anything, this project shows what’s possible with good design. It’s a reminder that you don’t need a large garden to create something special – you just need a space that’s designed around how you want to live.
