How to Love Being in Your Garden More

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Want a garden you enjoy relaxing in as much as the rest of your home? With a little design know-how, it’s possible to plan an outside area that offers extra living space and lifestyle bonuses, even when it’s not roasting outside. Your first step is to consider how you want to use it, whether that’s entertaining friends and family, getting lost in a book, or letting the kids run around worry-free.

The next step is to think practically about the materials you use. In a recent Houzz Landscaping Trends Survey, 67% of UK homeowners stressed the importance of a low-maintenance outdoor space. Remember, the less time you spend tending to it, the more time you can spend enjoying it. Sounds simple, doesn’t it?

Here to lay the groundwork on how to plan a garden you’ll want to spend hours in is Marshalls, leading experts in hard landscaping.

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Entertain Alfresco

The summer months are all about getting friends and family round to enjoy a good British barbecue. Set up an alfresco dining area with plenty of seating for your guests – a couple of spares for impromptu arrivals won’t go amiss either – and get the drinks on ice. Don’t forget to string up outdoor lights and have rugs and hot water bottles to hand, for an entertaining space you’ll enjoy long after the sun goes down.

Maintenance matters. Choose flooring that is durable enough to withstand extra foot traffic, as well as shifting and moving furniture. These ultra-strong pavers in grey are perfect, as they can easily deal with scuffs and spillages and are generally low-maintenance. They’re also versatile enough to suit both traditional and contemporary schemes, so you’ll have more flexibility for that furniture update.

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Carve Out a ‘Me-Time’ Spot

Stressful day? An hour of alone time in the fresh air will cure all that. Position some seating in a sunny spot and head out with a cuppa and your favourite magazine. In this garden, low-maintenance wide walling provides sturdy seating and means you don’t even need to bring out extra furniture. Whatever your ‘me time’ activity is, creating a space just for you in the garden will make a huge difference to how you see your outdoor space.

Privacy please. If you’re worried about nosy neighbours peering in while you’re relaxing outside, think carefully about screening options. Choose from stone walling, timber fencing or even tall plants to provide privacy, as well as a windbreak or a shield from unsightly features.

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Plan a Water Feature

Water is a great way to transform your garden, whether you go for a splashing fountain, a simple water bowl or a minimalist rill. Try installing a water feature at the back of a narrow garden to draw the eye and create the illusion of space. Alternatively, you could use water to reflect light to a dark corner, or to add texture to a simple outdoor scheme.

To help your feature stand out, introduce low-maintenance, ornamental grass and surround with contrasting paving that has a clean, sharp, contemporary finish – and extra points for choosing a design that’s also non-slip!

Lifestyle bonus. Water is not only a winner in the looks department, it has added benefits that might tempt you to relax for longer in your garden. The sound of trickling droplets can disguise annoying sounds like traffic, and by sitting next to water you’ll induce a sense of calm and tranquillity. Add to the atmosphere by introducing more natural elements, like goldfish and water plants.

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Get Back to Nature

Turn your outdoor space into a lush and vibrant haven by growing plenty of plants. Include scented plants, such as lavender and rosemary, and introduce evergreen structure with a shrub like daisybush (Osteospermum). For some exotic shape and colour, try a Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum), and complete the look with a striking edging detail and patterned pathway. Choose a family-friendly paving material such as Indian sandstone or splinter-free plank paving and treat your toes to a barefoot walk to admire your hard work on warm, summer evening.

Green benefits. Need another reason to get gardening? If you are willing to put in the time and effort, it turns out that tending to flowerbeds, weeding and planting has the same calorie-busting capabilities as housework (we’re talking 200+). However, if a low-maintenance space is still what you’re after, you wont lose out on the health benefits – getting outside will give you a healthy dose of vitamin D.

This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.