An extension of home: Scented plants, an outdoor kitchen and sunken firepit seating area have transformed this underused Surrey plot into a welcoming space for outdoor living.

A conversation on holiday led our clients to completely rethink their plans for more home improvements. Instead of doing more work to their house as originally thought, they decided to reshape an underused part of their family garden in Surrey to be a multipurpose outdoor living space for all of the family to enjoy.

During a holiday conversation, Lisa and Carl Davies decided to rethink their family space in Surrey, transforming an underutilized part of their garden into a multipurpose outdoor living area. Their existing plot, which enveloped their 1981-built home, had been functional but lacked cohesion and comfort for family gatherings. Despite improvements over the years, the layout hindered their ability to host large family barbecues, prompting them to envision a more accommodating outdoor environment.

Design

The recent reshaping of the house changed the dynamics between the indoor and outdoor areas, particularly after removing the old conservatory and extending the kitchen with sliding folding doors. With three teenage children and a rescue dog, our client Lisa realised the garden could offer much more. Inspired by her family’s love of activities like table tennis and pizza-making, she desired features such as a pizza oven and a dedicated dining space. Lisa sought the expertise of Garden Club London, where Founder Tony Woods, helped translate her vision into a comprehensive design, ensuring the new outdoor space harmonised with the house.

Tony’s initial site evaluation revealed that the existing garden, primarily a disused kitchen garden, lacked the size and functionality needed for the family. The paved and storage areas were insufficient for comfortable use. The goals were to integrate the new kitchen extension with a functional outdoor kitchen featuring a pizza oven, create a dining area, and enhance the shed and storage functionality. Additionally, a covered area for table tennis was critical to cater to family gatherings while ensuring privacy.

Preparation and Build

Site clearance found that some structural elements of the garden such as a brick wall were suffering from subsidence. We worked quickly with the clients to devise a cost-effective solution to the problem and keep the project and budget on track. Existing paving and subbase materials were crushed and recycled on site to help manage the change in levels. Sawn sandstone steps were used to create a beautiful and understated flow from the house to the garden. These provided contrast detail with the texture of dutch clay pavers, a robust and timeless choice for heavy foot traffic.

Planting

Understanding the challenges of shade and mature trees in the garden, Lisa was initially unsure about plant selection. She wanted a design that effectively incorporated resilient plants that could thrive in those conditions. With Tony’s help, the final design included strategic planting to enhance the ambiance and usability of the space, fostering an inviting environment for family activities and gatherings. Together, they crafted a dynamic outdoor living space that perfectly balanced functionality with aesthetic appeal. Aromatic herbs provide both beautiful flowers and scent as well as being used in the outdoor kitchen.