Contemporary Terraced Garden Design, Bishop's Storford, Hertfordshire
Creating a garden that gives you a hug
This compact terraced garden design project in Bishop's Stortford was designed to feel calm, immersive and full of character. The client wanted a contemporary outdoor space that would complement the Victorian-style property while providing somewhere to relax, entertain and enjoy being surrounded by plants.
A garden room formed an important part of the brief, but rather than treating it as a separate feature, the aim was to integrate it into the overall design so that it felt naturally connected to the garden.
Although relatively small, the garden offered an opportunity to create a series of distinct spaces that would feel welcoming, private and rich in planting throughout the seasons.
The Brief
The client wanted:
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A contemporary garden to complement the house
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A garden room integrated into the design
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A comfortable seating area for two
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Plenty of planting and seasonal interest
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A garden that felt private and relaxing
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A design that made the most of the available space
Most importantly, they wanted the garden to feel welcoming and immersive, a garden that felt like it gave you a hug.
The Design Solution
Many of the features that now feel like a natural part of the garden were carefully considered during the design stage. The positioning of the garden room, seating area, pathways and planting were all planned together, helping the garden feel balanced and connected despite its compact footprint.
The layout gently draws visitors through the space, creating a sense of journey and discovery. Distinct areas for sitting and relaxing provide different viewpoints of the garden, encouraging the space to be enjoyed throughout the day.
Careful attention was given to ensuring that every part of the garden served a purpose, helping the space feel larger and more usable than its physical dimensions might suggest.
Creating an Outdoor Room
The garden room provides an additional place to relax and unwind while maintaining a strong connection with the surrounding planting.
Burnt cedar Millboard cladding was selected to complement the warm tones used elsewhere in the garden. Unlike traditional timber products, Millboard contains no timber and is highly durable, making it well suited to long-term outdoor use.
Positioned at the end of the garden, the structure creates a destination within the space and helps draw the eye through the planting.
Planting Design
Planting plays a central role in the success of this garden.
Generous borders soften the hard landscaping and help create a sense of enclosure, making the garden feel more intimate and established. A carefully selected palette of perennials, grasses and evergreen structure provides interest throughout the year while ensuring the garden remains easy to maintain.
The planting was designed to blur the boundaries between different areas of the garden, allowing the space to feel cohesive and natural rather than heavily structured. Fragrant planting and low-growing thyme between the clay pavers introduce additional texture and seasonal interest, while layers of foliage create movement and softness throughout the garden.
As the planting matures, the garden will continue to become more immersive, with the pathways and seating areas increasingly surrounded by greenery.
Materials and Features
The material palette was deliberately simple and restrained, allowing the planting to take centre stage.
Key features include:
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Burnt cedar Millboard cladding
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Clay pavers with creeping thyme
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Contemporary paving
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Garden room
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Intimate seating area
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Layered planting design
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Evergreen structure
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Seasonal colour and texture
Together, these elements create a garden that feels contemporary, welcoming and connected to its surroundings.
The Result
The finished garden feels far removed from its urban setting. Layers of planting soften the structure of the design, while carefully positioned seating areas encourage the garden to be experienced from different viewpoints.
Although compact in size, the garden now feels generous and immersive, offering somewhere to relax, entertain and enjoy the changing seasons. It is a lovely example of how thoughtful garden design and planting design can transform a relatively small outdoor space into a garden that feels both practical and deeply personal.
"Small gardens are often my favourite projects because every decision matters. I wanted this garden to feel like a retreat from everyday life, with planting doing much of the work to soften the space and create atmosphere. As the garden matures, it will become even more immersive, with the garden room and seating areas feeling increasingly surrounded by greenery."
Zoe Kilbride, Garden Designer
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