If I were you I'd be off to the library to the gardening section - John Brookes is a good garden designer and author with lots of illustrations of different gardens. Get as many as you can on design and layout and just spend some time looking at different plans, schemes and photographs so you have some idea of what you might like. It's not that difficult, and once you've decided what you want the overall appearance to be, recommendations for planting can be had from here, if you want them. But you do need to decide what you want to use the garden for (hanging out washing? sunbathing? barbecues? table and chairs? children, sandpit, etc) and that will give some clue as to whether you need lawn, pebbles, gravel, paving, or whatever. Also take into account the aspect - which way it faces is important for light levels in terms of planting.
You could look on line at pics ,but somehow, it's not the same as handling a book with pictures, I don't know why, but they're more "real"

I have a book "The Ultimate Garden designer" by Tim Newbury that has lots of ideas for odd and difficult shaped plots.

Hi, I think this was answered on question 1

Ignore that! just getting used to using a forum! hee hee!

Hi Roxy... finding your way around GoY okay ?
Send me a pm if you're confused about anything on GoY and I'll try to explain. Lol.

Snowlisa... I agree with Bamboo that books are a smashing idea...

...and GoYpedia might give you yet further inspiration ...

...go to alphabet at the base of page... click on D for design ideas...

I hope this helps :o)

Thanks everyone I agree there is something more special about looking in books for ideas.