If you’re lucky enough to have your own back garden, you’re probably getting ready to maintain it during the summer months. No matter the size or shape of your garden, it’s important to make the most of it, especially with the warmer months approaching.
Suppose you’re interested in investing some time and money into your garden. In that case, there are several things that you can do to make your garden look amazing, from very simple updates such as adding some colourful plants to something larger and more permanent, like adding an outdoor entertainment area.
If you are on the hunt for some inspiration, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! This article will go over five great design tips to help you improve the look of your garden and make it shine.
Add a Garden Entertainment Area
As the hotter months quickly approach, we’re all getting excited about a bit of outdoor entertainment – it’s one of the great joys of summer. While many people like to take to outdoor activities and other things that you can do outside, there’s really no reason why you can’t make good use of your garden. Creating an entertainment area in the garden is a great way to encourage your family to spend more time outdoors, and it gives you a place at home where you can host all kinds of gatherings with your friends and extended family.
It’s a good idea to create an area with different flooring to separate the entertainment area from the rest of the garden. Many people will opt for patio slabs or raised wooden decking for entertainment areas. Both of these are great options and will help to break up the lawn so that you have a prominent and designated area for outdoor entertainment.
Complete the area by adding a table and some chairs or a bench. To create a warm glow in the area, try hanging some solar string lights for extra cosiness. It’s also a good idea to install a large umbrella for providing shade during the sunny days and shelter during rainy days. If you’re a big fan of entertaining, you may want to add some extra things such as a barbecue, pizza oven, or even a bar.
Add New Gates and Fencing
If your garden is missing any fence panels or the fencing looks a bit old and worn, then it’s most likely time for an upgrade. You may also want to install a fence, or you may want to think about installing a new gate if you don’t have one already. A wooden garden gate can help to create a charming country cottage appearance.
A new gate or fence will offer some increased privacy and security to your garden and your home. This is especially important if you have children or pets who enjoy spending time outside. Adding new fences and gates is a great way to instantly improve the appearance of your home. Certain fences and gates can also help increase the value of your home.
If you install a wooden garden fence, this is a great opportunity to introduce some climbing plants to your garden. Simply add a few bits of wiring or trellis to help encourage the plants to climb the areas where you want them to. If your garden is quite shaded, don’t worry, as climbing plants love the shade.
Install Some Water Features
Water features are a beautiful addition to any garden. They come in all different shapes, sizes, and styles to suit every space and every type of garden décor. You may wish to opt for a traditional hand carved stone water fountain, or a contemporary modern design, depending on your taste and décor.
Research has shown that the sounds of running water provide soothing and calming effects. This means that the addition of a water feature in your garden can help to create a more relaxed and peaceful atmosphere.
The sound of trickling water can also help to mask any potential noise pollution from neighbours or nearby traffic. It can also help to improve the quality of the air in the garden. Adding a water feature such as a pond, fountain, or waterfall is a great way to encourage wildlife into your garden, which leads us to our next garden improvement tip.
Encourage Natural Wildlife
The presence of natural wildlife in your garden can have many benefits, not only for your garden but for the environment overall. Encouraging wildlife into your garden can help control pests, improve the local biodiversity, and help to bring movement and colours into your garden space. A lot of people love to spot birds, butterflies, and small animals such as foxes and hedgehogs. So why not make your garden a haven for the local wildlife.
You can begin by creating the right kind of conditions to encourage wildlife. Encourage birds to visit your garden by hanging bird feeders and nesting boxes in trees and other areas. Make sure these are high up enough so that other animals can’t reach them. Be sure to place nesting boxes in sheltered areas for protection from the elements. Another great option to encourage birds is to add a bird bath to your garden. Many bird baths look like a beautiful structure in their own right, and this is also an additional way to add a water feature if you’re limited on space for something else.
Insects are great for helping to control pests, allowing your garden plants to thrive. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to create some small areas where insects can hide. A compost heap, a pond, or some piles of logs will attract plenty of insects. You could also plant a wildflower garden to help attract butterflies and bees. This will bring some gorgeous variety and colour to your garden.
A wild flower garden is a great option for those who don’t have much time to trim or maintain neat flower borders. Plus, it looks just as stunning. There are many wildflowers that you can choose from depending on your taste.
Install a Vegetable Patch
A vegetable patch is a great way to add some more beautiful colours to your garden. Plus, growing your own food can be very satisfying and rewarding. What’s great is that you won’t need a huge amount of space either. A small vegetable patch at the bottom of your garden or a few small tomato plants in colourful pots can still make a great impact on your garden aesthetic.
The best time to sow vegetable or fruit seeds is from March onwards. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to get a head start on your vegetable patch by starting now. Begin by removing any weeds or stones and then rake the soil so that it is easy to manage and completely level. If you’re an avid DIYer, you may also want to have a go at building your own planter out of wood for your vegetable patch.
You’ll want to begin with a few simple crops that don’t require a whole lot of maintenance. Some examples include tomatoes, courgettes, beans, potatoes, and radishes. These are all good crops for beginners. You may also want to sow a few flower seeds for some extra colour. Sweet peas, sunflowers, and nasturtium are great examples.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are several things that you can do to make your garden shine, and this is just a small list of the very many things that you can do. No matter what you choose to do, be sure to create a space you love. With summer fast approaching, you want to create a space that is enjoyable and inviting and where you can spend a lot of time relaxing and entertaining.