Spending time outside is restorative, relaxing and revitalising. While it’s wonderful to explore areas of natural beauty far away from home, there’s nothing like being able to chill out in your own al fresco sanctuary. If you dream of a beautiful, functional outdoor space, but your garden isn’t quite the haven you desire, this guide is packed with handy advice.
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Tackle clearing, tidying and decluttering tasks
The first step to take when revamping your garden is to tackle clearing, tidying and decluttering tasks. Many of us are guilty of falling behind with or neglecting basic maintenance tasks. Examples include removing leaves, clearing gutters, pruning and trimming trees, getting rid of weeds, washing patios, paths and terraces and tending to lawns, flower beds and trees.
There are many tasks you can undertake yourself, but it’s best to leave others to the professionals. Specialists in stump grinding, tree lopping and maintenance and gutter repairs may be on your list of pros to call before you turn your attention to enhancing the aesthetics of your garden. If you’re looking to add levels, target issues such as uneven surfaces, or create zones in your outdoor area, it’s also a good idea to consult landscaping experts.
Look for inspiration for your design
It’s helpful to go into any kind of home or garden improvement project with a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Before you buy accessories, choose colourways or purchase materials or furniture for your garden, build a mental vision or design a mood board. Look for ideas in magazines, get inspiration from TV shows and use themes, trends, touches or individual pieces from places you’ve visited to help you conjure up plans. It’s important to remember that it’s your space. It’s great to use trends as a foundation or source of inspiration, but your design should reflect your taste and style. Don’t be afraid to be creative and mix and match different trends and elements.
Consider functionality
It’s natural to get carried away with looks when it comes to sprucing up your garden, but it’s crucial to consider functionality too. When you’re in the process of creating plans and bouncing ideas around, think about how you want to use your outdoor space and what you want to do when you’re outside. Are you eager to rest, recharge your batteries and enjoy nature? Do you love to entertain and host gatherings and parties? Do you enjoy gardening? Are you looking to design a family-friendly space or somewhere to indulge your hobbies?
Once you’re clear about functionality, you can incorporate your goals into your design. You can either run with a single purpose, for example, a tranquil and restful oasis, or create separate zones to cater to different activities or people.
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Is your garden in need of a refresh or revamp? If so, it’s wise to follow these practical steps: clear, declutter and tidy your space, tackle garden maintenance tasks, look for inspiration for your new and improved outdoor area and consider functionality as well as aesthetics
