Our gardens are often hubs of activity during the summer months, and, after over a year of going through multiple lockdowns, there is no doubt that this summer will be no different. In fact, we may find ourselves hosting more garden parties than ever before to make up for lost time!
If you are looking to give your outdoor space the real wow-factor before restrictions fully lift, this article is full of some great tips and advice for upgrading your outdoor space.
Refresh what you already have
The best and often most cost-effective place to start is with what you already have. Before making any amends, take time to really look at your outdoor space and see how it works for you. Are there any areas that look tired? For example, could your home benefit from a lick of exterior paint?
Maybe there are some breaks in the fence that can be fixed or maybe your patio needs a power wash to bring it back to its former glory? By evaluating what you already have you can make sure you aren’t splashing out on something you don’t need and can use your budget for new features instead.
Blogger Healthy Vix recently did this and told us: “One quick and affordable way to upgrade and refresh your garden is to paint any old and dull patio slabs. You can even paint them an entirely new colour. We turned some old beige patio slabs into modern-looking grey slabs by painting them. After researching the best paint to use, we used grey masonry paint with a long lifespan and mixed in plaster sand to ensure the slabs are slip-resistant. They look great and could easily pass for new slabs!”
Upgrade your seating areas
With more guests in your garden, you’ll certainly want more seating, and somewhere you’ll all be happy and comfortable to lounge for hours whilst you catch up and enjoy one another’s company. Seating that you love is a worthwhile investment when it comes to upgrading your garden, as it’ll make you more likely to want to go outside and sit for a while.
Petra from A Mum Reviews suggests this, telling us: “To be able to entertain friends and family in your garden, one of the most essential things to help get your garden ready is to ensure you have a seating area that will accommodate everyone. If you plan to host bigger groups, it’s a good idea to have a large table set and some extra seats around the garden too. Lots of garden furniture can either be folded up or stacked neatly for storage so it’s easy to have a few spares for when needed. Some colourful seat cushions will add a splash of colour and improve comfort too.”
Create an outdoor kitchen
Eating outside on a warm day is a must in the British summer. From barbeques and fresh salads to ice cream and Victoria sponge, there is plenty to enjoy. If you love dining outside, why not consider creating an outdoor kitchen area? This can be as simple as a barbeque but could also include a pizza oven, outdoor surface for preparing food and even your own herb garden.
Blogger What Rachel Says agrees that this is great for garden parties, especially when it comes to drinks: “For me, garden gatherings aren't complete without drinks! Whether it’s a bar-cart on wheels which you can serve cocktails from, an ice bucket for chilled beers or even a bar! It's a fab addition to make your guests feel welcome!”
READ MORE: Must-have 2021 garden trends
Add storage space
Storage is essential, and, especially for those with little ones who have lots of toys, can be the difference between a serene and relaxing outdoor space and one that feels cluttered and unkept. Although adding a garden shed is the most common option, you can now find lots of great hidden storage options that you may not even realise have cubbies for your belongings built-in.
Emma from Lipgloss and Curves recommends this: “Get your garden ready with a super tidy. Having storage available for your garden is essential, especially if you have kids, a place for toys and tools. Keeping them away in one area keeps the garden looking clean, tidy and welcoming. Garden storage is also handy.I'm sure we all stuff things in draws in the house when people are coming over so having garden storage is no different. Hide the unwanted things away and make it appear clean.”
Consider some decking
Decking is an incredibly popular garden addition and there is good reason for that. Marking out a specific area of your garden for relaxation, you’ll have a zone outside that naturally begs to be enjoyed. This is also a great way to break up your garden space and create more layers.
Corinne from Skinned Cartree added decking in her new home and is reaping the benefits: “We moved into our new build home in summer 2019. It has the smallest patio area that disappears when you open and close the patio doors. It’s also in the area that loses sun first. We decided to build a big decking area at the bottom of our garden where the sun hits. We ordered the decking online and my partner and his Dad spent a day last summer putting it up. This saved us loads of money and now we have a large area in the sun that we can use when guests come over. There’s enough room to keep a safe distance! We’ve now bought new garden furniture and are ready to enjoy some warm days in our garden with friends.”
Ben, a carpenter at Wood Create, agrees that decking can make a big difference: “Building a simple decking area in your garden that captures the evening sun is the perfect addition to any home garden. The construction can be very straight forwards and can be erected within a couple of days with just a few basic tools and materials. All the materials can be sourced from your local builder’s merchant so it’s a quick easy job that will add so much beauty and value to your outdoor living space. Finished off with a lick of paint, some small planters and a couple of seats and you’re all set for summer visitors. You can even add a simple canopy to protect yourself from the hot midday sun.”
Upgrade your lighting
Especially when you are spending the evenings in your garden, having the right lighting can frame all of your hard work and give the space a whole new look and feel when the sun goes down. By using lights to highlight key areas of your garden, like the decking for example, even when looking out from within you can enjoy the benefits.
This is a suggestion that Shelley from Wander and Luxe supplied: “Upgrade your garden this summer with the installation of some solar garden lights. Whether they are to light a garden path, twinkle between your plants and flowers or spruce up a tired fence, lighting is the way to go. Solar lighting is affordable, easy to install and non-obtrusive, meaning you can transform your garden in an afternoon. Create a relaxing and magical vibe in your garden to enjoy with guests this summer.”
Ensure it’s fun for all
When we think of our outdoor spaces, we can often think of areas perfect for a Pimms in the sunshine with friends and can overlook certain demographics. If you are likely to be having a large range of family members of all ages over to enjoy the space, make sure that it’ll be fun and accessible for all. This means making sure that paths and surfaces are not uneven for those with limited mobility and making sure there is something for kids to enjoy as well.
Kaz and Lily from The 3am Diary recommends adding extra entertainment in for little ones: “If families are looking for great additions ahead of entertaining, slides and a sandpit or water table are our favourites. They can be used by multiple kids at the same time, rather than something only one kid can use at a time, which can cause tantrums!”
How to get your garden ready for summer visitors
- Refresh what you already have
- Upgrade your seating areas
- Create an outdoor kitchen
- Add storage space
- Consider some decking
- Upgrade your lighting
- Ensure it’s fun for all
With these upgrades, we are sure that when restrictions fully lift there will be myriad ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ as guests visit your outdoor space for the first time in a long time. If you need supplies or just want advice on the best products for the job, at RGB builder’s merchants, we are here to help.
For more tips, guides, and advice, make sure to visit our blog.