Garden Design

Garden Design in Kelvedon, Essex

Location: Kelvedon, Essex

A new-build garden transformed from a blank canvas into a calm, welcoming space. A curving gravel path, young trees and grasses, and a timber pergola create an inviting journey from patio to seating, with planting designed to mature and gently soften the boundaries over time.

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Overview

This Kelvedon garden began as a typical new-build plot: straight lines, bare fencing and very little sense of character. The clients wanted a simple, low-maintenance design that would feel welcoming from day one, but also improve steadily as the planting established.

The space runs alongside a brick garage and is framed by tall evergreen trees beyond the rear fence, so the layout needed to make the most of a long, narrow footprint while softening hard edges and drawing the eye toward a destination at the back of the garden.

Curving gravel path creating a relaxed route from patio to seating.
Low-maintenance planting beds with grasses, perennials and shrubs.
Timber pergola and lawn panel forming an informal outdoor room.

The brief

The key priority was to move away from a stark, rectangular layout and introduce a softer, more informal feel without overcomplicating the space. The clients were keen for the garden to be easy to look after, with planting that would gradually build character and soften the boundaries as it matured.

Design approach & layout

A sinuous gravel path was introduced to counter the linear feel of the plot and to create a gentle, meandering route from the main terrace to a timber pergola and seating area. This brings a sense of journey and makes the garden feel wider and more playful.

Generous planting beds edged with bark mulch flank the path, ready to be filled with a mix of ornamental grasses, perennials and small shrubs. As these mature, they will knit together to soften the fences and garage wall, adding layers of texture and seasonal interest with minimal upkeep.

A young feature tree near the centre of the garden introduces height and a future canopy, helping to balance the mature conifers beyond the rear boundary. Towards the back, a neat lawn panel sits beneath the pergola, offering a fresh green contrast and forming a relaxed seating zone.

A garden designed to mature gracefully

Overall, the design focuses on clear structure, easy care and long-term transformation. As the planting matures, this straightforward layout will evolve into a soft, layered garden that feels calm, inviting and closely connected to its surroundings.

Curved gravel path running between fresh planting beds in a Kelvedon new-build garden — Curved gravel path leading from the patio through newly planted borders.

Timber pergola seating area framed by lawn and new planting in Kelvedon garden — Timber pergola and lawn panel forming a relaxed seating area.

Young feature tree growing within bark-mulched planting beds — Young feature tree adding height and structure to the centre of the garden.

Planting, texture & long-term character

As the planting fills out, ornamental grasses, perennials and shrubs will create a softly textured backdrop to the path and pergola. Movement in the grasses, changing foliage and seasonal flowers will gradually add depth and character to what began as a simple new-build plot.

This Kelvedon garden demonstrates how a clear, uncomplicated layout and low-maintenance planting can transform a blank canvas into a gently evolving, welcoming outdoor space.

Gallery

Spaces within the Kelvedon garden

A selection of views showing the curved path, pergola seating, lawn panel and planting structure that will soften this new-build garden over time.

Curved gravel path and mulched borders in a Kelvedon new-build garden — View from the patio along the curved gravel path and bark-mulched beds.

Timber pergola creating an informal outdoor seating area — Timber pergola and informal seating framed by lawn and planting.

Young feature tree introducing height to the Kelvedon garden — Young feature tree establishing within mulched planting beds.

Long view of Kelvedon garden showing curved layout and softened fencing — Long garden view showing the curved layout and softened boundaries.

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If you’re starting with a blank canvas and would like a simple, tailored design that will grow and improve with time, we’d be delighted to help shape your garden.

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