Summer is almost here (we hope!), and looking at the state of our gardens in the summer sun may show us the signs of a winter of neglect.
Our gardens are something that are easy to be passionate about when the sun is shining, but it is hard to get out there and show the same dedication when the cold comes and the sun is low in the sky.
If you are looking at your garden and thinking it could do with an update before the height of summer hits, you may be surprised at what you could achieve with just a little time and money.
You can give your garden a whole new look with just some hard work and a small investment. Here are seven things anyone can do to revolutionise their garden for the summertime.
#1 All Hands on the Decking!
Old, cracked patios or concrete are easily replaced with wooden decking. The colour and style of the wood decking you use can change the look of your garden completely.
Decking can transform your garden area
The decking can be laid straight on top of any existing patio or hard surface, making the job a lot easier and quicker to complete. Everything you need will be available at your local DIY store, and it really is a simple job that just about anyone can do with some time and patience.
#2 Bring a Theme to Your Garden
Giving a garden a theme is becoming more popular all the time. Hawaiian themes are fashionable, adding bamboo edged raised planters filled with fern and palm plants. Fire pits are a popular addition, and are simple and cheap to construct.
Finish off the look with some flaming ‘Tiki’ torches for night-time lighting and you can host a luau.
A luau is a traditional Hawaiian party or feast that is usually accompanied by entertainment. It may feature food such as poi, Kalua pig, poke, lomi salmon, opihi, haupia and beer, and entertainment such as traditional Hawaiian music and hula.
#3 Why Not Add a Hot Tub?
A hot tub is a fantastic addition to any garden, especially if you have gone with a Hawaiian theme. Hot tubs don’t have to be expensive either – people have even made their own – and they add a usable and attractive feature to your garden space.
They can also help give your garden definition and purpose. You will likely want to add complementary features to your hot tub, like using a shed as a changing room, perhaps with a small mini-bar to keep the prosecco handy!
#4 Good Fences Make Good Neighbours
The design of fencing has evolved incredibly in recent years. The old-style creosoted panels or solid concrete slabs are now being replaced by much more contemporary fence panels.
The panels that are available on many sites online offer have a modern, clean style that can completely change the look of a garden while still giving you the privacy, security and strength of more traditional panels.
Related: 33 quintessentially quirky garden ideas
#5 Don’t Have a Shed, Have an Outdoor Sun Lounge
We often buy sheds with the best of intentions but, in the end, they are filled with rubbish and underutilised, taking up precious square footage in the garden. You may have inherited your shed from a previous owner of your home, and been left with a crumbling husk that is long over-due replacing.
Why not re-purpose your old shed into an outdoor sun lounge, or replace it with a purpose built one? Having somewhere to sit in the sun with some shelter and access to refreshments can make a stay in your garden feel like a holiday away.
#6 Go Low Maintenance and Minimalist
Another direction to go is the minimalist and low maintenance route. By removing things like demanding plants, and even the lawn, and removing planters and clutter, you can reduce the demands garden maintenance can place on you.
Minimalist garden design
There are many minimalist styles of garden that you can look too for inspiration, including classical Italian styles that are very clean and ornate, as well as the Japanese style garden that is often designed to be a peaceful place for reflection and introspection.
#7 Are You Wild About Wildlife?
If you are passionate about wildlife, especially birds and creepy-crawlies, then think about working with nature to revolutionise your garden. You can consult with local conservation organisations to find out what sort of plants are native to your area.
Letting nature take the reins in garden design is very low maintenance and is rewarding if you want to watch birds or see hedgehogs or foxes on a regular basis. Having a natural garden that is left to the wildlife can give you sights to see all year around, watching the natural world from your kitchen window while you make your morning tea.
It doesn’t take much to change a garden’s look and feel, and with it you could change the look of your whole home. Not enough people make use of the space they have outside their houses, but with a little effort and not much expense, you can make an investment in your home that can give you a whole new space to enjoy.
