4 Steps For Creating A Delightful Outdoor Space

 

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We would all dearly love to spend more time in our gardens. But actually creating an environment in which we want to spend time can be a challenge. It needs to feel right to make it worthwhile. 

Fortunately, outdoor living concepts have progressed considerably over the past few years. And now it’s easier than ever to create a space you’ll love. Just follow these steps: 

Step 1: Sort Out Your Privacy

Why aren’t you using your outdoor garden spaces already? Perhaps privacy is the issue. Neighbours can overlook your garden and listen to your conversations - not what you want. 

Solving privacy concerns, therefore, should be at the top of your list of priorities. But how do you do it? 

You have several strategies available. 

The first is to add privacy screens. These are usually a little taller than regular fences and allow you to create your own private oasis. If you’re not keen on the idea of privacy screens, you can also try using trellises or something similar, either getting professionals to install them or doing it yourself. 

Step 2: Add Function

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You want to spend more time in the garden, but if it doesn’t provide you with the functionality you want, you won’t use it. 

Start by getting some garden deck chairs with comfortable cushions to support you. Then add other elements that will make outdoor living more enjoyable. Ideas include: 

• Sunshades
• Loungers
• Dining tables for family gatherings
• Fire pits
• Outdoor heating solutions, such as infrared heaters

Step 3: Set The Mood

Just adding function, though, isn’t usually enough to get you out into the garden. The space also needs to offer a different mood from your indoors. Otherwise, there isn’t much point using it. 

How you set the mood is very much a matter of personal choice. Many keen homeowners like to add outdoor elements such as planters, paving stones and fairy lights. 

If you plan on using your outdoor space in the evening, you can alter the mood considerably just by adjusting the lighting. Plain white light is okay, but you might also want to experiment with greens, purples and other interesting colors that bring out the best in your foliage. 

Step 4: Add Greenery

While your garden is probably already full of greenery, it’s critical to include it directly in your outdoor seating spaces too to make them feel more welcoming. For instance, sometimes, patios and decks can feel a little sparse and inorganic. Yes - they’re attractive. But you can always improve on them by adding more plants. 

When adding plants to an outdoor seating area, try to add verticality. 

Start at the ground level with potted plants and shrubs of different heights. And then look for ways to add more height to the space. 

There are all kinds of ways you could do this. If you have a suitable wall, you could grow creeping plants that will eventually create a beautiful green backdrop. Or, if you don’t have time for that, you can make a vertical garden by stacking hooks on your walls and then slotting your planters into them.patios and decks can feel a little sparse