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Terraced house owners often struggle with maximising their garden space. Access can be tricky, especially when several homes share the same gate. Gardens are often long and narrow or small and boxy in shape. Then there’s the challenge of privacy, shade, and lighting to think about, too.
If you’re looking for a solution to improve your limited plot, this guide is for you! You can use a few techniques to make the most of it. These terraced house garden ideas will help you do just that, so keep reading.
Planning and Consent
Designing a terraced house garden requires careful planning, starting with focusing on function. Will it be a space for relaxing, entertaining, or gardening? Take the time to study the layout of your outdoor space to figure out what will fit and what changes are needed. This way, the space works for you, and you can style it to match your needs.
If landscaping is involved, it may need plenty of digging and a lot of materials being brought in and out of the garden. This is where the other part of planning comes in—having a mutual agreement for all parties involved whenever necessary. This is especially important if your terraced home is in the same block as the other three houses or shares an internal or party wall with neighbours.
Changes can affect shared spaces like fences, gates, or pathways. So, be sure to get everyone on the same page to avoid disputes! After all, you can never truly enjoy your renovated terraced house garden if your neighbours are unhappy.
Tip: Take a good look at the surrounding gardens and any objects that could affect where you want to sit in your garden. Your neighbours might have large garden furniture, low fence decor, or overgrown hedges you want to avoid.
Get Ideas Around Your Neighbourhood
If you live in a block of terraced houses, there are likely plenty of gardens around you to get ideas from. Seeing what your neighbours have done can spark some inspiration for your garden. You might find new ways to maximise your plot and get recommendations for landscapers and reliable shops for outdoor furniture.
This technique is also a great way to see what works well in your area, i.e. plants that thrive better in the shared climate of a row of houses. If you’re honing your green thumb, you might find someone seasoned who can share insights on what you can grow for a starter.
And let’s not forget the practical side! If one of your neighbours has handled garden shade or privacy issues, you can pick up helpful tips to tackle yours.
Change Your Terraced House Garden’s Direction
Many garden designers use the 45-degree angle to add visual interest and depth to what might otherwise be a straightforward, rectangular space. It’s worth considering if you want to create zones and achieve the illusion of a wider and more spacious garden. Break up the linear sightlines in your narrow, long garden to make the space feel wider!
Or consider circular designs if you want something other than straight lines and sharp corners. Large, deep, circular beds can give you more room to plant a mix of flowers, shrubs, or even a mini vegetable garden.
Leave enough space for taller plants or denser shrubs so you won’t have to worry about prying eyes. Vertical planting works as an alternative for adding height and privacy, too. Go for climbers like Clematis that can scramble over your pergola or trellis.
Once you’ve finalised the layout, take some time to find the perfect spots for your seating areas and walkways. The best place to sit and relax is somewhere that catches just the right amount of sunlight. Check out our guide, ‘Where to Position Outdoor Furniture in Your Garden,’ for more ideas!
More methods are out there for you to try, but the ones on this list can give you a great start. Take this opportunity to extend your living space outside and build the garden of your dreams, no matter how small or awkward the plot is.
For more inspiration, read our next guide: Terrace Garden Design Ideas for City-Dwellers
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