Want to give your garden a makeover? Here's where to start
We spend a lot of time, money and energy making the inside of our homes as lovely as possible, and we should create a wonderful atmosphere out-of-doors too. 'No matter what size your space – whether it’s a postage-stamp sized inner-city patio or a sprawling plot, you’ll still need to approach any re-styling project in the same way,' says interior stylist Lucy Gough. Here are five key points to consider...
How do you want your garden to work for you? As we approach the end of summer, it's a good time to assess how you've currently been using your space, and what's been missing. Thinking about how you plan to use your space will help guide your choices. Consider the following questions:
Do you need lots of seating?
Do you want a chair in the sun to read a book and have a cup of tea?
Do you want to project films onto the wall to create an outdoor cinema?
Do you want to have barbecues?
Do you want to work outside your home and need to build a studio/workspace?
Are you in a wheelchair and need flat paving?
You can create separate areas in your garden just as you would indoors. 'Try, for example, placing outdoor rugs on a patio to divide it up, using vertical screens to section off areas, and planting tall trees and bushes to provide screening,' says Lucy.
Stand at the back of your property looking out to your garden – what is your eye immediately drawn to? 'That's the spot you can consider making into a beautiful centrepiece. You could install a large outdoor mirror, paint a fence or wall in a striking colour, or even create a mural. Alternatively you could try hanging a pair of vintage shutters or installing a calming water feature,' suggests Lucy.
You need to think about your garden just as you would when creating a vignette in your home. 'Place trees, plants and bushes of varying heights into pots, think about scale and arrange them with the tallest at the back, to give depth and add interest,' says Lucy.
Now, the fun part! Think about a finishing touch that will really lift your spirits when spending time in your garden. 'Think about a relaxing addition, such as a hanging chair or laidback daybed; or perhaps a useful fire pit or pizza oven – even an outdoor fish tank or some twinkly festoon lights,' says Lucy. 'Choose something that will draw you outside and help you stay there long enough to be able to relax and enjoy your space.'
Then, once you've identified your priorities, pull together a moodboard of images, materials and fabric swatches to help bring your look to life.
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