Sunlight, Space & Serenity in Swansea: A Decking Transformation Story

Conquering the Slope and removing high conifer trees to allow sunlight into a Garden in Mumbles, Swansea, together with a Decking Transformation and a low maintenance solution.

The garden previously had a small lawn at the front with a rockery flower bed and this was built into a slope that was over shadowed by two very large conifer trees that cut out a lot of sunlight and useable space where the trees had expanded at the base over many years.

The inspiration behind the idea of adding decking as a solution, was to create a more usable and beautiful outdoor living area where you can enjoy a private secluded oasis to relax and entertain family and friends as well as a relaxing environment to escape to.

The back garden in Swansea, Wales, presented a unique challenge. While its privacy was to be enjoyed, the steep slope made it difficult to enjoy fully. It was more of an obstacle course than a relaxing retreat! That’s when we decided to embark on a decking project, transforming this unusable slope into a stunning outdoor living space.

Get ready to see how we conquered the incline and created this dream garden escape in the accompanying video.

• After removing the conifer trees to root level we set out the space
• Using multiple levels and shallow steps to access the decked areas, we were able to incorporate a lot of the original established shrubs and plants while transplanting others into large terracotta pots.
• Delicate lighting and some living wall screen trellises created a green backdrop to break the overpowering effect of a high overlap feather edge fence.
• We felt it was important to use the garden’s original trees and shrubs and blend these into the design.
• We didn’t use designers and the project was enhanced by family suggestions.
• The decking and timber used was of a treated tanalised timber and decking planks which will withstand the weather in this area as well as the lifespan of the structures.
• The lower deck now affords a multi function where the parasol can be placed for some shade on hot summer days and this can be removed and replaced with a rotary clothes line to dry clothing at other times, serving a very practical and accessible space.
• The decks and steps are lit with low Voltage LED lights which give a very attractive feature as well as safely illuminating the stepped areas.
• To compliment the garden, a water feature was installed in amongst the original shrub area with LED lights with trickling water that soothes and relaxes.

This transformation now provides a relaxing haven and functional space that was previously never used to its potential.