An expansive 74sqm urban garden was an exciting opportunity to have fun creating various garden zones, accommodating a growing young family and their dog. We created a low-maintenance garden which fulfils a number of tasks: a play area for children, a home office, a mini allotment area, and an entertainment area. Flowering plants and a few trees help disguise the office structure at the end of the garden, and provide year round interest. By dividing the garden into different areas and avoiding square beds, we softened a blocky, rectangular space. The children’s area carefully placed by the north-facing wall, with the entertainment area facing south, maximising the garden’s natural qualities. Features such as untreated oak beds and hazel edging give the garden a natural softness while protecting plants from it’s energetic inhabitants.