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We’re well into spring now, which means that the days are getting warmer and you might be thinking about dusting off that barbecue for the summer.

While it may not be summer weather quite yet, now is the perfect time to think about getting your garden summer-ready.

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when renovating their homes is to neglect their gardens. While you might focus on making the interior of your home as nice as possible, your garden can be a fantastic addition to your property. True, over winter it can be easy to let it go, but now that the weather is brightening up, it’s high time to put some effort into your garden and make it a great place to spend your summer.

With that in mind, here are some tips to transform your garden into a summer paradise.

Sheds, Outhouses, Garden Rooms, and More

If you have a huge garden, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to tackle. A larger garden often means more work to do, which makes it tempting to do the bare minimum with it. However, there is another option.

If you have a lot of outdoor space, then a good way to use it is to build structures in your garden. This can provide more space for storage or other utilities. For example, you can add an extension to your home by taking up some of your garden space. This can add one or more rooms to your house, or just make existing rooms bigger. Either way, it’s a great way to add value to your property.

As well as adding an extension directly to your home, you can also build a garden room, garage, or shed in your garden. These can range from something as simple as a storage shed for tools and garden equipment to a fully-functional room in its own right, such as an office, workshop, or summer house. You may be weighing up your options between Summer house vs shed, which is best? Either option could provide you with what you need to ensure your garden works for you and your family, it just comes down to the finer details of what you’re going to use them for.

If you already have structures in your garden, it’s important to look after them and keep them maintained as well as the rest of your house. Over the winter months, your sheds and outbuildings might have been battered by wind, rain, and harsh weather. This can damage their roofs and potentially let water in. You can get replacement roofs at Clear Amber Shop, or even build a lean-to or create a sunroof on your property.

Low-Maintenance Garden Ideas

Another option, if you have a large garden or too much outdoor space to cope with, is to create a low-maintenance garden that doesn’t take much looking after. The most obvious option is to turn your garden into a lawn. A lawn is fairly versatile, provides a flat surface for children and pets to play on, and even looks pretty. However, you still need to mow your lawn and keep it looking nice.

Another issue with a lawn is that it can be a bit boring. Another option is to get rid of your green space and pave over it. This is easier to look after, but it isn’t as appealing to many families, especially if you have children or pets. Also, you still have to take care of your paving stones and keep them clean.

A third option would be to create a wild meadow area. This has the benefit of being interesting to look at and relatively low maintenance, as once you set the wildflowers up, they look after themselves. Not only that, but these kinds of miniature wild spaces are fantastic for local wildlife to make a home in, especially in otherwise heavily paved areas. A custom-built deck also allows for an interesting and low maintenance area within your outside space. This is a great alternative to a patio and the perfect place for al fresco dining once the weather starts to warm up a little. 

A water feature is a nice addition to any garden, but it can take a bit of work to look after. You also need to look out for your children or pets, as some water features can be a hazard. Depending on whether you have a fountain, pond, or even a little stream, you will have to put more or less work into looking after the water feature. And finally, don’t forget to create the right ambience with a selection of lights, such as the amazing Garden Lighting Systems by Landscape Plus. Choosing the perfect ones for your garden can truly transform the area from drab and dreary to funky and fabulous or calm and colourful, depending on your intentions. 

Creating a Dining Area

One of the great joys of a nice garden in the summer is that you have the option to cook and eat delicious food outside. The first thing you need to do is set up a flat, fireproof place for your grill or barbecue. While wooden decking is a popular option, it can pose a fire risk.

A better idea is to set up a part of your garden on paved flagstones or concrete, as this provides a stable place for your barbecue. Your garden furniture can be placed on wooden decking if you prefer that option, as long as it is flat, stable, and strong enough to support your furniture.

As well as the basics, you want to make your dining area somewhere attractive and enjoyable to spend your time. Add some outdoor lights as well as decoration, so that you can continue to enjoy your garden well into the night. A shelter of some kind is also a good idea, as even British Summertime can get hot. All weather wicker outdoor furniture can also prove a useful and visually appealing addition if you are looking to update your existing furnishings.

Landscaping

If you want to truly transform your garden, then you can always contact a landscaping company to turn your garden into something completely different. Skilled landscapers can turn your boring lawn into something far more interesting.

Your first step would be to come up with ideas for your new garden and to work out a budget. From there, you should take measurements of your garden and, ideally, have a landscaper come and inspect your outdoor space. They can then help you to solidify your ideas and turn them into a reality.

One great landscaping technique is to split your garden into different sections, sometimes on different levels. This way, you can separate a large garden into smaller, more manageable areas, each of which has a set purpose. This can include a flat lawn for pets and children, a dining area for family and friends, and even a vegetable garden or wildflower garden for you to enjoy, complete with a water feature. You’re only really limited by your imagination.

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