Bicester

Bringing modern indoor living into the garden

PROJECT OVERVIEW

This project in Bicester focused on transforming a tired garden to reflect a newly renovated contemporary home.

The aim was to extend the feel of the interior outdoors, creating a seamless transition and a series of spaces designed for relaxing and entertaining.

PROJECT DESIGN BRIEF

  • Update an outdated garden to match a modernised home
  • Create an “outdoor room” feel connected to the house
  • Provide space for socialising and dining
  • Incorporate a feature with running water
  • Create a terrace for evening use
  • Introduce planting to soften and structure the space
  • Maintain a simple and manageable garden layout

 

Landscape design plan with garden layout and photos

A detailed landscape design board showcasing a contemporary garden layout. The plan combines technical drawings, planting ideas and material references.

Suburban garden with lawn, shed and potted plants

The Challenge

The garden no longer reflected the style or quality of the updated house, feeling disconnected and dated.

The design needed to create a stronger link between indoor and outdoor spaces, while introducing structure without overcomplicating the layout.

OUR DESIGN APPROACH

We focused on creating a clear flow from the house into the garden, using materials and layout to define distinct yet connected spaces.

Each area was designed to support a different way of using the garden, while maintaining a cohesive overall feel.

Modern garden patio with table, chairs and water feature

KEY FEATURES

Seamless Connection to the House

Millboard decking has been installed flush with the dining room, creating a smooth transition from inside to out and reinforcing the sense of the garden as an extension of the home.

Defined Patio and Outdoor Dining

The main patio is finished with decorative tiles, forming an ‘outdoor carpet’ that clearly defines the dining and social area while adding visual interest.

Water Feature and Atmosphere

A Corten water table introduces a gentle flow of water, adding sound and movement to the space and enhancing the overall atmosphere.

Gin Terrace for Evening Sun

A dedicated decking area provides a more relaxed seating space, designed to capture the evening sun.

With comfortable seating, a slatted fence and outdoor mirror, it creates a private and inviting retreat.

Structured Planting and Borders

Planting wraps around the main patio, softening the hard landscaping and bringing texture and seasonal interest to the design.

Garden Journey and Pathway

A pathway leads through the garden towards the rear, creating a sense of movement and progression through the space.

Planting and Soft Landscaping

A simple but effective planting palette combines evergreen structure with perennial colour, supported by spring bulbs. Fruit trees and Hydrangea paniculata frame the path, adding height and seasonal variation.

The Outcome

The finished garden now feels fully connected to the house, offering a series of well-defined spaces for dining, relaxing and entertaining.

By combining clean lines with carefully considered planting, the design achieves a balance between modern living and a softer garden atmosphere.

Modern brick house with landscaped patio garden
Modern garden patio with grey outdoor seating

Before & After

This project was a clear transformation, taking a tired and outdated garden and reshaping it into a contemporary outdoor space that reflects the style of the house.

The images below highlight the difference between the original garden and the finished scheme, showing how the layout, materials and planting have come together to create a more usable and connected space.