Make the most of your garden with these great ideas

Often, the garden is a neglected space, full of potential. It can be much more than a stretch of lawn and a few plants. Put some thought into utilising the space and you could have an extra ‘room’ in your house to be proud of!

Planning comes first

Don’t use a haphazard method to redesigning your garden; this will only lead to a mixture of disjointed ideas and a poor use of the spaces potential. You should take the time to measure it and draw up some basic plans so you can visualise the end product. It is very important to understand the different areas of your garden and the times of day they are in light or shade. There are also likely to be damp and dry areas. How much do you want to give over to flowers and plants and what kind of view would you like to have from your kitchen window? Research the plants you think you wold like carefully, as they may not be suited to certain environments. You will also need to think about planting a variety of things that come to life throughout the year and you should also plant some evergreens.

Adding personal touches

When you have an idea of your garden layout, what, other than plants do you want put in it? This is a chance to get really creative and you can make a really eye catching outdoor area with furniture, lighting, outdoor ornamental features and even garden buildings. Buildings in the garden don’t just mean a garden shed, there are many architecturally stunning buildings you can put in your garden to utilise as an extra room, be it for study, work or just relaxation. There are some beautiful garden building designs that are manufactured to such a high standard; the finish is that of an indoor room. You can incorporate wooden floors, heating, plumbing and anything else you might want in the room. They can come with a glass front to make a light and airy room and of course give a view of the beautiful garden you have created.

You can let your imagination run wild, creating a beautiful and functional outdoor living area. You could even build an outdoor kitchen! Set the scene with beautiful colour schemes, atmospheric lighting and beautiful furniture. Add a fire pit for warmth or maybe some eye catching water features. You must remember that creating an outdoor living area means that you must use materials which have been treated to withstand the elements. You cannot just put indoor furniture outside; it needs to weather proof to withstand rain, wind and sunlight. If you want to watch TV outdoors you can buy an outdoor TV which will give you good contrast and anti-glare. The principles for a good outdoor living space essentially echo those of the living room. Position furniture so people can face one another and ideally not a wall. You are looking to create a warm and social atmosphere.

AUTHOR BIO

Mary Yohanan writes regularly on home and garden design for a range of lifestyle websites and blogs. She has a particular interest in the use of eco commercial garden buildings to create innovative and beautiful outdoor spaces.

Written by mary