If you’re looking to make the most of your garden space this year, getting outside and making some small improvements may just be the key. Whether you’re looking to cultivate some native flora and fauna, create a lively social space or just want somewhere to unwind and read a book, there are countless ideas to explore. In this guide, I will take you through 4 of my favourite garden design ideas that will help you in creating a garden that’s not only beautiful and dynamic but also functional. So, let’s get our hands dirty and dive in!
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Indoor-Outdoor Social Space
Why limit yourself to either an indoor or outdoor entertainment area, when you can have both! By creating an indoor space, outdoors you get the comforts of a cosy living room combined with fresh air and scenic views of your garden.
When building your indoor-outdoor space, consider using as much glass as possible in the design. Using large, sliding glass doors lets in the most natural light and gives you the best view of the garden, the doors can be easily left open to enjoy the breeze.
The interior entirely depends on your personal preference and what you would ultimately like the space to be. Soundproofing, snacks, and blankets are a must if you’re looking to create a cosy cinema room, whereas drinks, glasses, and ambient lighting are essentials for a more mature, social space. Lots of comfortable seating and features such as a TV, sound system, pool table, heating, and air-conditioning are all elements to contemplate, regardless of your design goal.
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Vertical Focal Points
Vertical gardens are a great way to maximise space and add greenery to any outdoor area, they are particularly beneficial when working with a smaller garden, yard, or balcony. There are a variety of different ways to create vertical focal points within your garden, pleaching trees is a technique in which the branches of a tree are woven together, to encourage the tree to grow in a flattened, hedge-like structure. This enables the tree to be positioned against garden walls or fences and can provide an added level of privacy.
Wooden pallets can be attached to walls and used as planters, along with trellis panels and hanging baskets.
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Native, Pollinator-Friendly Plants
Everybody strives to have a vibrant and thriving garden, and choosing the right plants is crucial to achieving this. There is a multitude of options out there, but opting for native, pollinator-friendly plants not only means the plants are well adapted to the UK climate and overall tend to be lower maintenance to take care of, but it also helps to preserve the biodiversity of your local area by providing shelter and food for native wildlife and insects.
Flowers native to the UK include:
- Honeysuckle – this pretty flower has fragrant, tubular petals which attract bees and butterflies, specifically the white admiral which as a species is in decline.
- Lavender – this popular, purple flower is drought-tolerant, produces an aromatic aroma, and is often used in baking.
- Meadowsweet – this flower has a creamy white appearance, is attractive to bees, hoverflies, and moths and has culinary uses similar to elderflower.
- Viper’s Bugloss – this flower features bright blue and pink petals and continuously produces nectar throughout the day, making it extremely attractive to bees.
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Mood Lighting and Mirrors
Using mirrors and statement lighting in your garden is a budget-friendly way to create a whimsical, inviting atmosphere. There are many benefits of hanging mirrors up on your garden wall or fence, the first being that mirrors give the illusion of a larger space by creating the illusion of depth. When placed in between plants or shrubbery, the mirror reflects the surrounding greenery, enhancing the visual impact of the plants. Mirrors also reflect light, brightening up shaded areas of the garden by utilising the sunlight.
When it comes to adding lighting to your garden, the options are endless. Accent, pathway, and silhouette lighting draw attention to specific features such as paths, trees, shrubs, or water features. Fairy lights can be purchased in string form or as netting, allowing you to drape the lights around decking, or over fences or walls. If solar-powered is not for you, you can opt for lanterns or candles which can also double up as insect repellents on those warm summer evenings.
By implementing these four transformative ideas in your garden, you can create a haven that inspires and rejuvenates. From embracing biodiverse gardening practices to incorporating versatile indoor-outdoor living areas, the possibilities are endless.
As you embark on your garden improvement journey, please join the conversation using the hashtag #UltimateOutdoorLivingSpace on social media.
