How To Make The Most Of Your Garden This Year
When it comes to spending more time at home, we don’t always want to be cooped up indoors. Getting out in the fresh air is vital to our health and well-being, and our gardens are accessible to us throughout the seasons. So, why not make the most of them?
No matter the size or shape of your garden, we’ve put together some handy tips on getting the most out of what you have. From creating a place of rest and relaxation to getting physical in the fresh air, read on to find out how you can maximise on the outdoor spaces you have by making your garden a natural extension of your home.
Dining Al Fresco
Our favourite thing to do in summer is eat outdoors. We seek out restaurants with terrace dining areas and pubs with beer gardens. Or we get the family together for a walk in the local park followed by a picnic packed with delicious food. Many of us forget that green and luscious spaces are accessible to us just outside our back door. And you absolutely can recreate these outdoor dining experiences from the comfort of our own home too.
If you’re looking to enjoy that restaurant terrace feeling, there are plenty of dining sets on the market depending on your space and style. Firstly, think about your grounding. A clean and tidy patio, or gravelled area, looks stunning under a great patio set. Or, if you’re going for a luxury look, add a trellis filled with vines to create a ‘secret garden’ aesthetic that sets your new dining area apart from the rest of your garden.
Relaxing Zen Zone
With all the hustle and bustle of daily life it’s nice to be able to have a space where you can sit and relax. Whether it’s after a hard day at work, or just to escape the craziness inside the house, a calm outdoor space can help you to relax whilst benefiting from some much needed fresh air.
There are a couple of ways that you can achieve this. Our first suggestion is to re-imagine your shed, gazebo or summer house as a cosy den. Make it comfortable by bringing in a sofa, stack of plump cushions, or even bean bags – then open up the doors and let the light flood in! The great thing about these outdoor structures is that they can be used as a place of respite and relaxation in all weathers. When it’s sunny, you can use it as a place to seek out shade and peace. And if it rains you can enjoy the sights and sounds of your garden in a place that is separate from the main house. If you’re really looking to create a place of zen, we’d recommend leaving your screens at the door and letting yourself unplug from reality for a while!
Our second suggestion is to create a ‘sky zone’ in your garden. You can achieve this by using outdoor cushions spread across the grass in an area surrounded by flowers. Doing this creates a low maintenance space to sit and socialise in green surroundings, particularly when the sun shines!
Children’s Play Zone
We all know that no matter how big your outdoor space is, children will fill it. From spreading toys across the room, turning the garden into a one-man football pitch (of course with two goals and a space for a crowd, just in case) or transforming the kitchen into a full paint studio.
In the summer particularly, creating a space for kids in the garden is ideal for getting them away from screens and out in the fresh air. It might also mean you get to enjoy some space to yourself every now and then, too. Bliss!
Much like the ‘Zen Zone’ we mentioned above, you can carve out a den for little ones that can be used for playtime. Simply fill it with some comfy seating, toys, and snacks and watch it come to life. From a little house, including a little kitchen area and sofa, to army headquarters, complete with map and little green army men! The only limit is their imaginations!
If you’re looking for something else, depending on space, why not create a park? Perfect for those of you with larger gardens, or indeed if the whole garden is just for the kids. Depending on budget, you could go all out and get a big bright climbing frame, or wooden adventure frame complete with bark flooring. Or you could plump for cheaper options and slowly build up your collection of outdoor toys and activities over time. Summer is a great time to get out the garden games to keep the kids entertained for hours on end while you soak up the sun!
Outdoor Gym
Who needs a gym membership when you’ve got a perfectly good garden you could use for exercise? They say the best exercise is done outside in the fresh air, so why not create a workout space in your garden that is inviting and easy to access, even after the busiest of days?
Now, we aren’t talking about putting a treadmill in the garden of course. But you can get creative with what you have. Have you got a space with a couple of steps? There’s the start of your outdoor gym. Add some strategically placed ornaments, there’s your dumbbells! It’s super easy to make it all look like part of the garden design!
Looking For A Garden Makeover?
We all use our gardens in different ways, with different levels of maintenance. Why not make the most out of your space instead of staying cooped up inside? Here at Abingdon’s we’d love to discuss the ways in which we can make your garden vision a reality. Contact us today to discuss what we can do for you.