Japanese Inspired Garden Design
Bel was contacted by the owner of this detached property in Knighton, Leicester back in June 2024. With a shady patio by the house and a simple rectangle of lawn, with narrow weedy borders, there simply wasn’t much appeal in spending time in the garden, and she wanted that to change. Inspired by a trip to Japan, she asked Bel to create a design plan to transform her dull plot into an appealing garden, which she could use throughout the year. The existing brick shed, could be repurposed, but the rest of the garden was available to Bel to transform.
Bel created a 2D Garden Design Plan and 3D Visuals which brought Japanese styling to the space, with a circular resin bound pathway leading to the Tea House, built around the existing structure. Corten Steel Panels, a Tori style Arch, a Water Feature, stepping stones and stone lanterns all added oriental touches to the scheme. The existing patio was kept as is and the brick raised beds clad with cedar and topped with granite copings to tie in with the paving elsewhere.
Bel also included a Kitchen Garden as the client is a keen cook. Simple raised beds were teamed with a bespoke cedar Greenhouse and Shed combo and cold frames.
Landscaping of this project started in Spring 2025 and saw a full transformation of the space. Resin bound aggregate was teamed with granite setts for the pathways and granite pavers for the surface beneath the Teahouse. Corten Panels were incorporated into the cedar clad Teahouse and echoed in the borders.
Bel followed up with an oriental inspired planting scheme including Japanese Forest Grass, Dogwoods, ferns, Japanese perennials and Acers.
Find out more about Garden Design and Planting Design.
Before Transformation
Before Transformation
Before Transformation
The client is thrilled with the her new garden and is spending time enjoying her garden with friends and family…
“I chose Bel because I think it's important that you pick a garden designer who is the right fit for you and who can interpret what you want to achieve from a garden during the design process. Bel was that person, I found her to be very personable and professional from the outset, taking the time to understand me and how I could better use what was essentially wasted space at the back of my house. I am delighted with the final look and feel of my new outdoor living space and it is already having a positive impact on how much time I spend in my new outdoor living space. Thank you Bel”