Spending time outside is proven to boost your mental health, but there are many other benefits to creating a beautiful garden. Elevating your yard design and creating a more functional space will help you add value to your home, enhance curb appeal, maximise usable living and entertaining space and make the most of the outdoors come rain or shine. In this guide, we’ll focus on simple tips and tricks you can use to transform your outdoor space. Here are some top DIY hacks to try.
Create a seating area
Adding a seating area to your garden is a simple, effective way to boost versatility, create a new focal point and make space for relaxing, enjoying the views and hanging out with friends and family members. You can channel all kinds of trends and themes depending on your personal taste and the style and size of your garden. From ultra-modern minimalism to rustic country cottage vibes, there are ideas to suit everyone.
The best way to get inspiration for your new seating area is to browse magazines, follow interior and garden design social media accounts and use ideas based on places you’ve visited or gardens you’ve seen on TV. You can mix and match trends, use colour to set the tone and select furniture that aligns with your vision and the function of the space.
Popular seating options include hammocks, sofa sets, formal dining tables and chairs, love seats and benches, oversized beanbags and floor cushions and egg chairs. It’s worth shopping online and comparing prices if you see products in luxury magazines or stores. There are some fantastic offers available on designer dupes. You may also find lower prices on the same products if you shop around, especially if you use voucher codes or buy during the sales. The off-season is a great time to pick up bargain chairs, couches and outdoor cushions.
Open up the space
Is your garden dark, cramped, or compact? If so, it may be beneficial to open up the space to create more usable square footage and maximise natural light. If you’re an enthusiastic DIYer or a keen amateur gardener or landscaper, you may want to explore options like buying a chainsaw and cutting back large branches or even felling trees. It’s important to remember that these tasks carry risks. You should only attempt them if you have the relevant skills, you’re used to using power tools and the task is relatively simple. If it’s a complex job, it’s best to call professionals like tree surgeons or landscapers.
Another excellent way to make more space in your garden is to add levels, such as mezzanines and terraces. This not only adds interest to the design of your garden, but it can also boost functionality. You can use different spaces for a variety of activities, from playing with the kids and socialising with friends to chilling out with a good book, growing vegetables and practicing outdoor yoga.
Picture from https://www.pexels.com/photo/house-with-lawn-7587878/
Add garden structures
Adding a garden structure to your outside area is a fabulous way to make the most of the space and improve aesthetic appeal. Options such as pergolas, covered patios and gazebos are wonderful additions. They look great, but they also enable you to get more out of your garden throughout the year. In the summer, you can cool down in the shade. In the wet, wintry months, you can shelter, get cosy and snug and enjoy the great outdoors without worrying about the weather.
If you have spare time, you enjoy taking on DIY projects and you’re eager to flex your skills and revamp your garden, why not explore the option of adding a new structure to your space? Depending on the size and design, it should be possible to build a gazebo or erect a pergola without expert help. You may want to watch some video tutorials online and familiarise yourself with the instructions provided with the product before you begin. It’s also wise to make sure you have the right tools for the job and to enlist the help of relatives or friends.
Plant like a pro
Planting trees, flowers, plants and shrubs is an easy way to overhaul the appearance of your garden. Whether you have a large plot or a bijou yard, learning to plant like a pro can transform any space. You can embrace all kinds of ideas and trends, from container gardens, hedges and living walls to decorative wall-mounted plant displays and traditional flower beds. Choose trends that complement your personal style and the kind of space you want to create. Consider both the aesthetic and the atmosphere. Some people crave tranquility and escapism when they head into the garden, while others enjoy al fresco entertaining and socialising.
Adding colour to your garden is one of the most important considerations when choosing what to plant. Plants add instant vibrancy and freshness to outdoor spaces, but they can also help you channel a specific colourway or embrace design trends. Opt for soothing shades for relaxing gardens, such as white, blue and purple with plenty of green foliage. For uplifting, energising areas, bright colours and rainbow shades are ideal. If you prefer a muted or neutral colour palette, you can add colour with accessories rather than plants and flowers.
Accessorise
Accessorising is a brilliant way to achieve amazing results without undertaking a large-scale project, spending a fortune, or devoting every spare minute of your weekend to gardening and DIY. Choosing the right accessories can have a big impact on the overall look of your garden. It can also help you design a more practical space. Examples of garden accessories include outdoor soft furnishings, such as rugs, cushions and blankets, lanterns, lamps and lights, planters and containers, ornaments and mirrors. Hot accessory trends include embracing sustainability with natural textures and materials, minimalism, and flashes of bold colours, including green, earthy red-orange tones and aqua.
Image via https://www.pexels.com/photo/terrace-with-comfortable-couches-and-armchairs-around-table-7061663/
If you’re looking to transform your outdoor space, you don’t have to spend thousands or call in the professionals. There are many DIY hacks you can use to create a stunning, versatile and functional garden. Ingenious ideas you may want to try include creating a new seating area, opening up the space by clearing branches and trees and adding split levels, elevating your planting game, adding an outdoor structure and accessorising.