Garden Makeover Ideas: Removing Pavers for a Greener, More Inviting Space

How we transformed our terrace into a Family Friendly Garden

Over the past two years, we’ve done *A LOT* of work in the garden. One of the most transformative decisions we made? Removing the pavers from our terrace!

**But why, you might ask? Let me explain...**

When my family and I moved into this home two years ago, I was both excited and overwhelmed at the idea of having a garden. Other than religiously watching *Garden Rescue*, I had *no clue* what I was doing.

But from the very first moment I set foot in the garden, there was one thing I knew for sure: it was too *bare*.

The Before

The terrace was huge—like, overwhelmingly huge. A friend commented that it felt like a beer garden. Honestly, I think she was being polite! To me, it felt more like a car park.

Now, don’t get me wrong—it was amazing to have an outdoor space.

But it didn’t feel like a welcoming space. It felt too open, too exposed. And when the sun *did* decide to shine, it was almost blinding. I know that might seem hard to believe after the grey summer we’ve just had, but it really could get unbearably sunny out there!

So, I decided to take action. I started by lifting one paver, just to see what was underneath. Lucky for me, the only thing under those pavers was sand and hardcore—no concrete! (If you’re thinking about doing this, trust me, that’s a *huge* win. Sand and hardcore are much easier to remove.)

One paver turned into two, then three, and before I knew it, I’d created a small space for some plants on the terrace. I had no grand plan at the time, just the desire to break up the vast, lifeless space.

But then I remembered one *important* lesson I learned from the Rich Brothers on *Garden Rescue*: you can never go wrong with an Amelanchier Lamarckii tree.

So, I planted one. And just like that, the terrace started to transform. Suddenly, it wasn’t just an outdoor space—it was becoming a garden.

During

**But of course, I wasn’t satisfied yet.**

I wanted more greenery, more life. So I kept going. I removed more pavers, and more plants followed. Fast forward two years, and the terrace is almost unrecognizable.

More During

I’ve reduced it by at least a third and planted *three* Amelanchier trees, a beautiful birch, a crabapple tree, and an array of roses, Nepeta, Geums, and ornamental grasses. I even built a pergola (a whole other project for another post!).

**The result?** To say the space is transformed is an understatement.

It feels like a completely different place from the bare, car park-like terrace we started with. It’s now a sanctuary, a space we genuinely *love* spending time in. Every afternoon, we have our afterschool snack under the pergola—it’s become a daily ritual. Birds now visit the trees, resting in the branches before flitting off again. Bees buzz around the foxgloves and Nepeta, and we even have tiny frogs that have made their home under the bushes.

**It’s magical.**

Looking back, I didn’t realize how much this garden would change our lives. It’s not just about aesthetics (though the difference is night and day!)—it’s about the way we feel in the space. Our terrace has become a place to unwind, connect, and enjoy the little moments of life as a family.

If you’re considering making changes to your own garden, my advice is simple: don’t be afraid to start small. Lifting that first paver might just lead to something incredible.

Thank you for reading my post. I always appreciate it when you take the time to stop by. I hope it has been helpful! Any thoughts please email me elisabeth@joyfulgarden.co.uk and let me know

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Thank you for stopping by. If you have any questions, I’d love to hear from you! Get in touch: Elisabeth@joyfulgarden.co.uk