Back Garden Patio Transformation, Birstall

The Finished Garden

Grey porcelain patio, timber sleeper raised planters and slatted fencing.

Full garden overview — lawn, timber raised planters, steps and grey porcelain patio, Birstall

Wide patio view with grey porcelain slabs and corner lounge seating, Birstall

Timber raised planters with porcelain steps and hydrangea planting, Birstall

Project Overview

This Birstall homeowner had a rear garden that had seen better days — a flat, featureless space that offered no real reason to spend time outdoors. The brief was to create a proper outdoor living area with defined zones, generous seating space, and planting that brought the garden to life throughout the year.

The design created two distinct levels. The upper level — immediately off the rear doors — was laid with large-format grey porcelain paving and furnished with a corner sofa and fire pit coffee table. Two substantial timber sleeper raised planters run across the width of the garden, separating the patio from the lawn below and providing deep beds for hydrangea planting. Porcelain steps sit centrally between the planters, linking both levels cleanly.

A bespoke timber storage unit with a dark rubber-topped roof was built into the corner of the patio, tidying away garden equipment while adding a purposeful, considered finish to the scheme. Dark charcoal slatted fence panels define the boundary and provide a backdrop that makes the planting and patio materials stand out.

Materials Used

Large-Format Grey Porcelain Paving Timber Sleeper Raised Planters Porcelain Steps (Matching Patio) Hydrangea Planting Dark Slatted Fence Panels Decorative Gravel Strip Bespoke Timber Storage Unit

Scope of Work

Full clearance and excavation of the existing rear garden
Sub-base preparation and compaction for patio level
Large-format grey porcelain patio on full mortar bed
Timber sleeper raised planters spanning the garden width
Porcelain steps (matching patio) between the planters
Hydrangea planting in raised beds with topsoil and membrane
Dark slatted fence panel installation along boundaries
Bespoke timber storage/bin store unit with rubber-topped roof

How We Did It

A step-by-step look at the transformation process.

Full garden overview showing lawn, raised planters, steps and patio — Birstall

1

Design & Planning

A full site survey established the split-level design — porcelain patio off the house, timber sleeper planters as the dividing feature, and a lawn zone below. Fence and storage layouts were agreed at this stage.

Grey porcelain patio with bespoke timber storage unit — Birstall

2

Clearance & Groundworks

The existing garden was cleared and excavated to level. The upper patio zone was dug to depth for sub-base and the level change between zones was marked out before construction began.

Timber sleeper raised planters and porcelain steps from patio side — Birstall

3

Raised Planters & Steps

Stacked timber sleeper raised planters were constructed across the garden width with a central opening for the porcelain steps. Planters were lined and filled with topsoil ready for planting.

Completed grey porcelain patio with corner lounge seating and fire pit coffee table — Birstall

4

Porcelain Patio Laying

Large-format grey porcelain slabs were laid on a full mortar bed across the patio level, with matching porcelain steps fitted centrally between the planters. All joints were pointed with flexible grey mortar.

Close-up of timber raised planter with hydrangeas and lounge furniture — Birstall

5

Planting & Fencing

Hydrangeas were planted into the raised beds, with a decorative gravel strip laid at their base. Dark charcoal slatted fence panels were installed along the garden boundaries to complete the enclosure.

Lawn-level view of completed garden with timber planters, porcelain steps and patio — Birstall

6

Storage Unit & Handover

The bespoke timber storage unit was fitted into the corner of the patio. The full site was cleaned down and the garden handed over with planting guidance for the hydrangeas.

Full Photo Gallery

Click any photo to view full size.

Lawn-level view of raised planters, porcelain steps and patio — Birstall

Wide grey porcelain patio with corner lounge seating and fire pit table — Birstall

Porcelain steps between timber sleeper raised planters with hydrangeas — Birstall

Full garden overview — lawn, timber raised beds, steps, patio and lounge seating — Birstall

Close-up of timber planter corner with hydrangea planting and porcelain patio — Birstall

Bespoke timber storage unit on grey porcelain patio — Birstall

The Results

The Birstall garden transformation is a strong example of how a split-level design and the right materials can completely change how a space feels and functions. The grey porcelain patio provides a generous, low-maintenance outdoor room, while the timber sleeper raised planters divide the garden in a way that feels natural rather than engineered.

The hydrangeas in the raised beds will fill out and flower season after season with minimal effort, and the bespoke storage unit keeps the patio clean and clutter-free. The homeowner commented that the garden now feels like a proper outdoor room — somewhere they genuinely choose to spend time, rather than a space they look at through the window and ignore.

Project completed in 5 days. 5-star review left within 48 hours of completion.