Advice or ideas on narrow garden landscaping, partitioning and dealing with a raised patio

I personally think that's too fussy with all the different heights, but it's not my garden. I think you're getting to the point of analysis paralysis though.

You still need to address those steps. They need a handrail. I still think a taller height for the stretch from fence to arch, then a lower height from there along/beside the steps would be the way to go, but it has to be what you like - you're the one living with it.

 

I agree it looks a bit fussy, I'm not sure about it either.

But if I'm going to build it, I have to design it first. So I need to try different things to settle on something.

You think full height all the way across, both sides?

 

I'd have full height on the right, to make the main patio area more private, but lower on the left side of the steps, because I'd also prefer the steps to be wider - ie opened out to the left hand side so that they're at least four feet [or wider] but again, that's just my preference.
As things stand, they're very narrow, and once enclosed, they'll look even narrower, especially with an arch as well.

 

What about something like this? Not sure I can make curves, but it does soften the changing heights of the screening?

 

Like that last version the best @Dan1981

 

Me too.

 

I still prefer it with an arch. It hides some of the rear of the garden better.

 

That works too @Dan1981

 

Hmm. So now to figure out if I can even make a curve. I don't have the ability to bend wood (needs heat, forms, big clamps). I might be able to shape it by leaving some slat ends not supported and cutting them in a curve shape, with an additional mid-span brace.

If I build it on the wall I can use those metal fence post holders which bolt straight to brick. Or otherwise I would have to dig several post holes and concrete them in.

I'm thinking 3x3 posts, so it doesn't look too overbearing. Slats either 2x1 or 1.5x1.

 

I prefer it without the arch, it shuts off the view down the garden and for me would give the patio area a claustrophobic feel.

 

I think I've offered all the suggestions I can here, so I'll wish you well with your project.

Time and budget are important though, so don't forget to factor that in right from the start.

 

I appreciate your input but have I done something to prevent you wanting to offer further advice? Im still only in the very early stages of this and have a huge way to go even before getting a spade in the ground.

After the screening is done I need to think about planting up borders, cutting shapes out of my lawn, providing more screening potentially halfway down the garden. And more.

Im still considering how/if I can widen the steps so I haven't ignored your suggestion. It will just be a huge amount more work excavating couple of cubic metres of material and rebuilding the retaining wall/steps, and I can't visualise how it could look and what shape it could be. Especially given widening it to the left would result in the steps being non-symmetrical to the patio, and remove some of the patio on that left side.

My bamboo arrived today, I will position it where Im thinking and take a picture.

 

Here is the bamboo in the position I'm thinking of putting it. Crazy that it's already 3.5m tall yet only just blocking the view across that corner. I am thinking of adding another couple of brick courses to that corner bed to raise the level of it, as was previously suggested.

 

@Dan1981, I think the bamboo looks good there and goes nicely with the pampas grass behind it. If you can raise the height of that bed, as you say, it would be higher. What does the plant label say the ultimate height might be?

Although it would be better to have wider steps, I agree it would be an immense lot of work and not only that, you'd have to dispose of all the debris somehow. I'm a great believer in what you can't alter easily, you have to learn to live with it. Who knows, in a few years time you might decide to sell up or you might decide to alter the steps anyway.

 

I was thinking of moving the Pampas grass to the left side of the garden, because I don't think it goes well at all with the Camilia it's planted right next to.

I don't particularly like it, it's a specimen/structural plant that suits being on its own I think, rather than as part of a shrub border. And it's really quite large, and I think scruffy looking. But my partner likes it. Also I'd be mad to get rid of another full grown plant when my garden is so bare already.

I'm quite confused on what to do with the privacy screen still. If I only put the screen on the right side, then the left side will look quite odd and bare I think. But the mock ups of screens on both sides, especially without the arch, are just framing the view down the garden and because there is not much to see i think it looks worse.

I'm not sure how I can configure the left side of the patio with either no screen, or a different, non symmetrical screen.