Patio and garden makeover, Dorset

This garden makeover in Dorset has given the homeowners a generous new patio that runs the full width of the house, right up to the sliding and French doors along the back. The paving ties the whole rear elevation together and gives plenty of room for seating and dining outside.

Raised sleeper-edged borders now frame the lawn, separating the patio neatly from the grass and giving the garden a tidier, more defined shape. The result is a space that works equally well for relaxing with a book or entertaining a crowd.

It is a straightforward renovation that has made a real difference to how the garden is used, opening it up and making it feel much more connected to the house.