Many of us love to spend time in our gardens. Our backyards provide a safe, tranquil spot to enjoy the fresh air and unwind. If you’ve recently moved, or you haven’t got around to sprucing up your yard, here are some tips to elevate your garden design and turn a bland space into a beautiful haven.
How To Create Your Dream Garden
Maintenance
It may not be the most exciting outdoor job, but it’s always a good idea to start a garden transformation by crossing maintenance tasks off your to-do list. It can be difficult to envisage plans or start work on revamping your outdoor space when the grass is knee-high or there’s debris everywhere.
Write a list of jobs you need to tackle in the garden and start working through them. It’s often possible to do work in the garden yourself, but if you’re short on time, or you don’t have the energy or enthusiasm to don your gardening gloves, you could enlist the help of gardeners or landscapers.
Tackle jobs such as clearing pathways and patios, clearing rubbish, varnishing external woodwork and collecting leaves. Cut the grass on a dry day and tidy up the edges. Once your garden is tidy, you can start working on the fun elements of the project.
Gardening is a good habit that not only makes people happy but also healthy. Once, you have all the maintenance tasks out of the way, garden decorating and design planning is very important before starting gardening. Those who are passionate about gardening and creating a backyard haven for themselves, should research a few things like Garden Furniture and placement of plants.
Creating a seating area
There’s nothing like kicking back in the garden after a long day or a busy week at work. Being outside is proven to boost mental health and it can help you to feel more relaxed. Gardens are also a fantastic social space. If you enjoy sitting out in the yard, or you like to hang out with friends and family outdoors, creating a seating area is a brilliant idea.
There are all kinds of styles and trends you can try and you can design something stunning, no matter how much space you have. From bijou yards to large gardens, you can find furniture, accessories and soft furnishings to turn your vision into a reality.
Look for inspiration online and use concepts or ideas you’ve seen in places you’ve visited. Perhaps you want to create a little slice of the Mediterranean in your backyard, you love the ultra-modern designs of luxury city hotels or trendy restaurants, or you long for a country cottage style garden, for example.
Before you order furniture for your seating area or you start browsing online, measure the space and think about the style you want to channel and the materials you want to use. It’s beneficial to read product details and descriptions before buying and you might also want to check out guides about what to look for when shopping for outdoor rugs or how to find the perfect dining table or sofa set. You can choose from a diverse range of seating options, including benches and picnic tables, formal dining sets, outdoor couches and chairs, hammocks and swing seats.
Planting
If you’re looking to add instant appeal to your garden, adding plants, trees and flowers is an excellent idea. Plants and flowers add color and vibrancy and they can transform even the drabbest of yards with minimal effort. You can choose to use containers and planters, create flower beds or use plants to make a statement feature in your yard.
Examples of containers include buckets, baskets, marble planters and troughs. You can also design living walls or use wall-mounted floating shelves to make an attractive focal point. If you have beds in your garden, you can fill them with different types of plants choosing between a uniform design for formal gardens and wildflowers for a rustic cottage feel. If you’re worried about maintenance, opt for shrubs, trees and potted plants.
Growing your own produce has become more popular in recent years, as homeowners look to embrace sustainable ways of living. If you’d like to grow vegetables in your garden, set aside a suitable plot, fertilize the soil and start with vegetables that are easy to grow, such as salad greens, beans and radishes. There are guides and video tutorials you can follow online to help you maximize the chances of enjoying a bumper crop.
Statement features
When you walk into the garden, what catches your eye? If you don’t currently have a focal point, you could create a stunning design by adding statement features that are guaranteed to turn heads. Consider options such as a water feature, a freeform pool, an entertaining area, an outdoor kitchen, a statue, an outdoor fireplace or a structure, such as a gazebo or a pergola, adorned with climbing plants.
Think about the style of your garden and the kind of vibe you want to create. If you’re looking to transform your yard into a serene sanctuary, for example, water features are ideal. If you want to design a social space to entertain and spend time with friends and family, outdoor kitchens, hot tubs, bars and al fresco dining areas are the perfect addition.
Accessories
Accessories can make all the difference when it comes to freshening up garden decor and designing a new aesthetic. You don’t have to change everything about your outdoor space to produce amazing results. Adding accessories is a fabulous, affordable, simple way to inject new colorways or channel trends. You can use accents and touches to create a more inviting space and try out different looks or seasonal trends.
Examples of accessories include cushions, blankets and throws, outdoor rugs, candles and lanterns, pots and containers and decorative ornaments. It’s worth browsing magazines and websites to get ideas and shopping around to find the best deals. If you spot products you like, but they’re expensive, use search engines to try and source similar items that may be cheaper.
Adding versatility
If you have a spectacular garden, it’s natural to want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Whether you love to relax in your garden and enjoy some alone time, or you can’t wait to show off your new yard to friends and neighbors, you can make the space more versatile to enable you to enjoy it all year-round.
If you live in an area that is prone to wet or cold winters or stifling summer weather, for example, you can utilize clever design concepts to ensure you make the most of your yard come rain or shine. Add shelter and shade by fitting an awning, designing a covered patio or using giant sales to create a chic, sheltered seating area.
You could also invest in a gazebo, a summer house, a log cabin or a garden room. You can also use accessories to make your garden more practical. Throws, blankets, cushions and rugs are an essential addition for cozy nights in the cooler months. Keep warm with a fire pit, a chiminea or portable patio heaters.
Storage
Storage plays a key role in enhancing the functionality of gardens and backyards. If you don’t have sufficient storage available, there’s a risk of clutter gathering, and you may also find that the items you want to store end up being exposed to the elements. If you have a shed, a summer house or outdoor storage boxes, which can be hidden from view, you can keep items, such as toys and gardening products and tools safe while also making sure that your garden looks beautiful.
Patios, paths, fences and decks
Patios, paths and decks serve a functional purpose, but they can also enhance the look of your garden. As well as providing easy ways to get around your outdoor space, you can use paths and trails and fencing to create a beautiful, accessible, safe garden. Decks, terraces and patios are ideal for seating and entertaining areas, and you can choose from a vast array of design options to suit your taste and the look you want to achieve.
When you are choosing materials for your garden, it’s always wise to think about upkeep and maintenance and waterproofing before you make a decision. Paving is often easier to look after and it doesn’t weather as quickly as wood, for example.
Most of us enjoy spending time in our gardens. If your outdoor space is more bland than beautiful, you don’t have to spend a fortune or devote every waking hour to gardening and maintenance to make a positive difference. Take these tips on board to design a stunning, functional, versatile garden you can make the most of all year-round.