Case Study

Full garden makeover with pathway, seating area & wildlife pond in Brighton

This Brighton homeowner wanted a complete transformation of their outdoor space, replacing overgrown shrubs and uneven layout with a clean, modern, structured garden that included a fresh lawn, new pathway, dedicated seating zone and a wildlife pond.

Location: Brighton, East Sussex  | Service: Full garden makeover & landscape design

Before and after

The transformation below shows how an uneven, unstructured garden was reshaped into a space with a defined wildlife pond and modern seating area.

Before – pond excavation lined with protective underlay and pond liner held in place with bricks in a Brighton garden.

Before – pond area

The pond footprint had been dug and lined, but the space was still a work-in-progress construction zone.

Before – uneven terraced area with old concrete and retaining wall prior to new seating area installation in a Brighton garden.

Before – seating area

An old retaining wall and broken concrete made the area difficult to use as a comfortable seating space.

After – completed raised wildlife pond with natural stone edging and clear water in a newly landscaped Brighton garden.

After – wildlife pond

A finished wildlife pond with stone edging creates a calm, natural focal point that supports garden biodiversity.

After – contemporary corner seating area with timber cladding and rattan furniture in a landscaped Brighton garden.

After – seating area

A modern, built-in seating area now offers a comfortable place to relax and enjoy the transformed garden.

Project overview

The client wanted to modernise their garden, improve layout flow and create dedicated areas for walking, relaxing and supporting biodiversity. The original garden lacked structure and suffered from poor lawn conditions and overgrown shrubs.

A full redesign offered an opportunity to create a clean, inviting and nature-friendly outdoor environment.

Site assessment

During assessment, several issues were identified that impacted usability and aesthetics:

  • Overgrown shrubs blocking light and dominating the garden
  • Poor pathway structure leading to weak flow through the space
  • Compacted lawn with weak grass growth
  • Disturbed wildlife habitats requiring reinstatement

Our approach: complete garden rework

We carried out a full garden transformation to establish a structured layout with defined spaces for movement, relaxation and wildlife.

1. Shrub removal & clearing

Overgrown shrubs were removed to open the garden and reset the borders, creating a more balanced, breathable layout ready for redesign.

2. New pathway construction

A clean, defined pathway was installed to improve movement, structure and visual appeal while separating the garden into functional zones.

3. Creation of a seating area

A small, peaceful seating area was introduced, offering a private spot to relax and enjoy the new garden surroundings.

4. Lawn replacement

The old, compacted lawn was removed. The soil was levelled, aerated and prepared for the installation of a fresh, healthy lawn.

5. Wildlife pond installation

A small pond framed with timber sleepers was installed to restore wildlife habitats and add a natural focal feature to the garden.

Results for the Brighton client

The completed makeover delivered a clean, well-structured and inviting garden layout. The new pathway improves accessibility and visual flow, while the seating area creates a relaxing focal point. The wildlife pond restores biodiversity and adds a unique natural charm.

Overall, the garden now offers a perfect balance of practicality, aesthetics and nature-friendly design. The client was thrilled with the transformation and the renewed sense of openness and usability.

Planning a garden makeover?

Whether you're updating a small space or redesigning a full garden, we can help bring your ideas to life with professional landscape design and high-quality workmanship.