• About
  • Contact
  • Media kit
  • Interiors
  • DIY
  • Crafts

Growing Spaces

Inspired ideas for family interiors

October 19, 2016

Modern garden makeover

Modern garden with black fencing | Growing Spaces

It’s been a real labour of love, but finally our garden makeover is finished and I can share some proper pictures. We have an odd, L-shaped garden and the bit we’ve focused on is an awkward area that runs along one side of the house. It’s a tricky space as a lot of it is shaded, plus it’s an access route through to the side gate, and it’s where we keep our dustbins. It also had dirty and broken concrete paving slabs, and a large and ugly 1970s concrete screen wall.

I guess I’d better show you what it looked like before, although every instinct I have is telling me not to admit how bad it really was…

before

We’ve never been sure what to do with this area – we built raised beds (in which we mainly grew weeds and nettles), we knocked up a mud kitchen for the kids (now relocated elsewhere in the garden), and to be honest, its main function seemed to be a dumping ground.

Modern garden with black fencing | Growing Spaces

Our number one priority was to tackle that horrible 1970s wall. We couldn’t tear it down completely, so we’ve hidden it behind a fence panel constructed from rough planks of 100mm sawn treated timber. I prefer the clean lines made by the planks to a standard fence panel. I was determined it needed to be black (like our living room wall), and so we went for Nevermore from Valspar’s Garden Colours range. As soon as the paint went on, it totally transformed the space – I couldn’t stop gazing at it through the window. It immediately felt more considered, and really tied the exterior in with the interior.

Modern garden with black fencing | Growing Spaces

We wanted to create a built-in seating area. Originally we planned for this to go by the black fence, but realised the opposite wall is a sunnier spot, so we switched the design around. Ben built this (similar to our DIY kitchen banquette) in 89mm planed softwood. Originally the top was square but the edge really dug into your back when you sat on it, so he took the top plank off the seat back, and angled it, which has made it much more comfortable. We’ve treated the planks with an oil treatment, but I’m not 100% happy with the colour so I think we may experiment with this a little more.

The meandering pathway has been constructed using short lengths cut from decking planks from B&Q (who’ve helped us out with this makeover from the start). I love the curves, and how it gently leads you out to the lawn and garden at the back of the house.

Modern garden with black fencing | Growing Spaces

We have a fire pit! Again this was a DIY job – we picked up some old bricks on eBay, Ben sourced a untreated steel bowl from Amazon, and then he built the brick surround. The bowl kept filling up with water, so Ben drilled some holes in the bottom. All the camping we do has fostered a love of sitting around the fire in the evening, and now we have the perfect spot to do this at home.

Modern garden makeover with black fencing | Growing Spaces

Garden herb wall shelves | Growing Spaces

I’m a total amateur gardener, so when it comes to plants I’ve kept it simple with ferns and architectural Astelia (Silver Shadow),  which are hopefully hardy enough to require minimal maintenance, plus pots planted up with alpine succulents. I also got Ben to knock up a vertical herb garden (planted up with hardy herbs), which we’ve painted in Nevermore to match the fence. This is a couple of metres from our kitchen door, so I can pop out and grab whatever I need when I’m cooking. Don’t worry, the parsley has had a good water and is looking a lot happier now!

Modern garden makeover with black fencing | Growing Spaces

I’m a huge fan of festoon lights and have already amassed a rather large collection inside the house. That black fence was crying out for some lights, and they create the most lovely atmosphere when they’re on at night. We light them whether we’re outside or not, as we can see them twinkling through the window.

Modern garden makeover with black fencing | Growing Spaces

Modern garden makeover with black fencing | Growing Spaces

I chose white pebbles (mixed in with white cobbles) from B&Q to cover the ground because of the striking contrast with the black fence. They add a contemporary feel to the whole space, and also make it feel bright and welcoming.

Modern garden makeover with black fencing | Growing Spaces

Modern garden makeover with black fencing | Growing Spaces

DIY log store | Growing Spaces

The DIY log store has two functions – obviously we use it to store wood for the fire pit, but it also screens off the dustbins and recycling boxes so they aren’t an eyesore anymore. I didn’t plan on buying a eucalyptus but it’s my all-time favourite plant, and when I saw one in B&Q I couldn’t resist sneaking it onto my trolley.

Modern garden makeover with black fencing | Growing Spaces

DETAILS:

Paint on fence: Nevermore by Valspar, available from B&Q
White pebbles and cobbles: B&Q
Festoon lights: Lights4Fun
Ferns: Wyevale
Herbs: Wyevale and B&Q
Astelia, Eucalyptus and succulents: B&Q
Untreated steel bowl: Amazon

 

Disclosure: This post was written in collaboration with B&Q and Lights4Fun but all images and content are my own.

Posted In: Design Ideas, DIY, Interiors, Our Home · Tagged: black, design, exterior, garden, garden design, garden ideas, interiors, modern, outside space, small garden design

Comments

  1. Loop the Loop says

    October 24, 2016 at 1:41 pm

    Wow, what an amazing transformation, you’ve done a fantastic job. Love the colour of your wooden panelled fencing, and the fire pit will be perfect for these Autumnal evenings x

    Reply
  2. Nicky says

    April 4, 2017 at 4:38 pm

    I’ve been inspired! Thank you, your garden looks beautiful.

    Reply
  3. Paula astbury says

    April 14, 2017 at 2:47 pm

    Amazing job . I love it.

    Reply
  4. Patrick says

    April 18, 2017 at 8:37 pm

    Looks great, I especially like the path made from decking. Can I ask, how did you secure the individual decking boards to the ground so they don’t shift around?

    Reply
    • Heather Young says

      May 1, 2017 at 7:29 am

      Sorry Patrick, I’ve only just spotted your comment! We did secure the boards – I’ll double check with my husband how he did it and reply properly later…

      Reply
      • Jennifer says

        April 27, 2018 at 5:35 pm

        I would also love to know more about the path and how it is secured so it doesn’t move. Please?

        Reply
    • Jenny says

      August 1, 2018 at 4:11 pm

      Please can I ask what all this cost you? I hope that’s not too rude. I absolutely love what you’ve done. This is the very definition of a makeover. GORGEOUS,

      Reply
  5. Sandy says

    April 24, 2017 at 8:16 pm

    This is quite modern and I like it. We’ve seen a lot of rustic make overs lately. Great job and perfect for your lovely home.

    Reply
  6. Kali says

    May 4, 2017 at 10:11 am

    LOVE this and will def be copying your fence and vertical garden..!!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Best of UK Pinterest 2017

Best of UK Pinterest 2017
nominated ”FEATHR50 Top 100 Interior Design Blogs for Home Builders

categories

archives

Copyright © 2025 Growing Spaces · Theme by 17th Avenue