*This is a collaborative post.
Over the past year, we’ve all realised how important having an outside space is. Whether it’s a tiny balcony in a city flat, or acres of land, patches of outdoor space have been so important during the COVID-19 pandemic. As it looks like it’s set to continue, many of you may be looking at your garden anew. Is it slightly overgrown? A bit unloved? Or maybe you can see loads of potential in your little oasis? If so, here are five tips to inject some love into your garden and make it feel brand new again (even if you’re sick of the sight of it.)
Small, cheap changes
Transforming your garden doesn’t have to cost the earth. You can update the space quickly and cheaply by cutting your lawn into a new, recognisable shape. Cutting it into a circle or diamond makes it seem exciting and different, and gives you a project to keep you busy. Just mark out the shape you want, cut away the grass with a spade and the job is done!
Embrace Colour
To make your place feel new and vibrant, you can embrace bright colours and pick up your paintbrushes. Painting a fence in a colour that brings you joy can totally transform the space – bright yellows, blues, oranges and pinks, the sky’s the limit! Bright colours make the plants in your garden ‘pop’ and will give your garden a contemporary feel. It doesn’t have to stop there, you can paint your plant pots in complementary colours and really have fun. Alternatively, to make the place feel cool and minimal, black paint can make a shed blend into the background.
Add Furniture
Consider bringing a dark corner to life with a large outdoor mirror, or add in a weatherproof, all-weather sofa. By turning your outside area into another room to hang out in with removable cushions, an outdoor rug and a wood-burner for cold nights, you’ll be amazed at how much more time you spend outside.
Go Wild with Plants
You can do this by growing your favourite plants from seed (a particularly satisfying job, and one that will fill you with pride) or by picking up plants from a local garden centre. Enjoy filling the space with new, beautiful plants and pick plants that will complement each other as they grow.
Make a Big Change
If none of the other tips have done the trick, it could be time to pull out the big guns. Given that gardens are so important now, to make the most of yours you could consider putting in (or updating) decking or paving. Landscaping the place will mean it will get so much more use, and decking will mean that whatever the state of the ground, you have a firm, solid place to put garden furniture and hang out. Perfect for BBQs in summer! So, what are you waiting for? Check out composite decking prices and get going.
I'm Squibb Vicious, better known as Haydy!
Happiest with a craft beer in hand, eating til my heart is content or exploring somewhere new.
Here you can read about my adventures!