Gardens come in all shapes and sizes. From bijou yards to sprawling outdoor spaces, there’s scope to enjoy the fresh air, no matter how big your garden. With warmer weather and longer days on the horizon, what better time to think about ways you can make the most of your garden, no matter how much space you have.
Making the most of every inch of a compact garden
If you have a small garden, this doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on al fresco entertaining or horticultural activities. Even the most compact yard can lend itself to all kinds of outdoor design ideas. When you’re pushed for space, it’s essential to make the most of every inch. If you have a look around at your garden, and you’re not using the space as constructively as you could be, making simple changes to the layout and adding split levels could make a huge difference.
One of the best ways of getting more out of a small space is creating zones that enable you to establish and enjoy a more versatile outdoor area. Think about how you like to spend your time outside, and create a plan that suits your preferences and interests. Do you like to entertain, do you enjoy nothing more than curling up with a good book, or do you love flexing your green fingers and growing plants and vegetables? Even in a small space, you can indulge your hobbies and passions and design a garden that enables you to relax, harvest produce and spend quality time with friends and family.
Once you’ve decided what you want to achieve from your new garden, you can focus on ways of creating different areas. You can convert disused areas of the bottom of the garden into a summer house or a garden building to give you a year-round chill-out or entertaining zone, you can use different materials, such as gravel, decking, and turf to section off parts of the garden to grow, dine, and play, and you can carry distinctive themes using different colors. If you want an area to kick back and unwind, for example, you may choose different colors and accessories to the zone designed for hanging out with friends and enjoying al fresco drinks. When you have a small garden, it’s also wise to take advantage of the walls and fencing. You can use the height to display plants and flowers or even add glass walls and a water feature for a stylish, modern look.
Making a large garden more versatile
If you’re lucky enough to have a large garden, but it offers very little in the way of versatility, there are myriad options open to you. If you have a large lawn, or your garden is dominated by paved areas, you can create a garden space that is much more diverse. Think about what you want to get out of your garden, and then you can start planning a revamp. Do you want your garden to be more accessible and fun for the kids? Do you dream of hosting barbecues and outdoor pool parties? Are you an avid gardener with designs on a vegetable patch? Do you long for a spot where you can catch the evening sun with a book and a glass of wine? Are you thinking about using some of your outdoor space to free up room indoors or solve a storage crisis? The options are endless when you have a large garden, and you can match your plans to your interests.
If you have children, or you enjoy entertaining and having friends and family over, a pool might be top of your list. Swimming pools aren’t a viable option for everyone, but if you are thinking of splashing out, investing in a pool could enhance the value of your home at the same time as giving your garden a stunning focal point and providing an excuse to spend the summer with friends and relatives. There are multiple options when it comes to shapes and sizes, and you can search for a pool that suits your budget. For more information and ideas, take a look at companies like The Cypress Custom Pool company. If you don’t have room for a swimming pool, you could consider alternatives like a hot tub, for example. Once you have an idea about the kind of feature you want, you can turn your attention to the rest of the garden. Many people choose to incorporate an area for sunbathing with loungers and parasols, for example.
If a pool isn’t on your wish list, but you’re keen to create a more child-friendly space, there are several other avenues you can explore. You could indulge a love of sports with football nets, basketball hoops, a putting green and a tennis or volleyball net, or you could encourage action and adventure with a small-scale assault course with slides, swings, and ropes. You can facilitate outdoor play with sandpits and a mud kitchen, or simply make existing areas more fun. Think about adding stepping stones to a patch of the lawn or hanging child-size hammocks in a shady, tranquil spot.
Making your garden grow
For gardening enthusiasts, there is nothing more pleasurable than watching your beds bloom and your vegetables thrive. If you have sufficient space, and you’re thinking of adding a vegetable patch to your garden, choose the location carefully and consider the type of produce you want to grow and the conditions required. You don’t need a huge amount of space to create colorful displays or a verdant oasis. In smaller, paved gardens, planters are a great way of adding color and vibrancy, and you can choose pots and crates of all sizes. If you don’t have space for beds, you can use your fencing as an exhibit by hanging items like paint tins and buckets filled with flowers or using vertical shelves to display plant pots, boxes, and jars.
Whether you have a large garden or a compact outdoor area, you can make the most of hazy, sunny days and light evenings. Creating more versatile outdoor spaces is a great way to get more enjoyment out of your garden, no matter how much space you have available. Think about how you like to spend your time outside, and create areas that cater to the needs and preferences of your family.