How To Transform Your Garden Ready For Summer

Now the summer months are quickly coming don’t forget about getting your garden summer ready. It is easy to neglect your garden during the winter; however, it can provide a really excellent entertaining area in the warmer, summer months, and should have as much attention as you would give your home. Think about preparing your garden for summer to redecorating your home. Just like fashions and interior design, garden designs have trends which come and go, meaning your garden will require updating as the seasons go on. Think of your garden as an extension to your home. It should be ready to entertain in, and follow a similar theme to the rest of your house, so that it naturally flows from your home to your garden.

Let’s start with small gardens. Don’t think that just because you live in a flat, or have a very small garden that you cannot entertain. It is just about how you work with the space that you have available to you, and there are plenty of different design ideas that you can carry into your own space, regardless of how small they are. Instead of having a traditional grass garden, why not turn your garden into more of a paved courtyard. Tiles are being used outside more and more frequently than they once were, and have been incredibly popular in 2015. A huge trend that can easily be transferred into small gardens is the Mediterranean theme. This focuses heavily on ceramic flooring tiles and soft, terracotta coloured walls with bright accessories thrown in. if you have only got a small garden to begin with, you can dedicate the whole area to this theme. Think about summer nights in Spain, and recreate this in your garden. Get a couple of wicker chairs so you can sit and relax in your garden, and fill your garden with small lights. Whether this is with candles, or with lanterns it will allow you to continue the party long after it gets dark. If you have room and a larger budget, you can consider having a fire pit installed, in case the evenings do get a bit chilly.

Another way to make your small garden really stand out is to have a feature wall in your garden – similar to the feature walls inside your home with materials like cladding. This can either be painted or tiled; it is purely down to personal choice. Avoid really dark colours, particularly if your garden is small as this will just make it look even smaller than it actually is. A bright colour will draw your attention to this area and can make a real statement when entertaining. This is an ideal one if your budget is fairly small too. Because you will only need the materials for one wall in your garden, it can be completed inexpensively too; even if you choose to tile a wall.

If you have a large garden, you can create separate areas, to ensure that your guests have places to mingle and relax. One of the biggest trends of this year is alfresco dining. Treat your garden as you would your dining room, and invest in a big picnic table, or for a more formal setting why not fit an actual dining table in your garden? Depending on your budget, another huge trend that has become incredibly popular in 2015, is to have an outside kitchen installed in your garden. This is more than just a lavish barbeque, and more of a fully functional kitchen, so you are able to spend your whole evening outside during the warmer months should you wish to. Of course, this is a suggestion for those with a larger budget and the facilities and room to be able to house an outside kitchen. However, it will definitely create a talking point amongst your friends and will be an excellent place for you to entertain. If having a whole kitchen fitted is a little out of your price range, consider a drinking bar area. Ensure that there are lots of bar stools and places for your guests to relax during their stay. This will give them the impression that they are on holiday and are drinking abroad at a beach bar.

So just what should your guests be relaxing in? Garden furniture is very important, and should not be thrown together at the last minute. Just like it was in 2014, wicker and woven wood is right on trend. Both bright and pastel colours will work in the garden, but purple and turquoise really are set to be huge this summer. If you have wooden furniture and you simply want to update these, give them a vintage, retro look with a lick of paint. For a more modern twist on traditional seating options, if you have any large heavy duty trees in your garden, you can install some hanging pods. These are like hammocks, but are considerable easier to get in and out of!

The flooring in your garden is very important too. Whilst, if you have a large area, you can split up a grass and tiled area with a flowered archway, don’t assume that you have to have the whole garden lawned, as this really is not the case. Tiled decking areas are incredibly popular at the moment, and are also a brilliant alternative to those who have small gardens, or roof terraces. Natural stone tiles such as Travertine is very attractive and creates a very modern patio area. Dark slate is also incredibly popular for 2015, and will create a modern twist in your garden. Slate is being seen a lot inside homes as well, and is an excellent way of combining both the style inside your home and outside. A decking area is perfect for entertaining guests. If the area is large enough invest in a seating area for your decking as well, so your guests really can relax.

When you are planning to transform your garden, do not forget about the upkeep. Whilst plants and flowers will look lovely when they have been freshly planted, but you need to ensure that you will have the time and the inclination to continue with the upkeep in order to keep it looking nice. If you have the time, make your garden practical by planting some fresh herbs that you can use in your cooking. Remember as well, that it is the small things that make a difference. Think about your furniture during the winter months, and how you will keep it. Turn your storage boxes into a feature for the garden, as opposed to something that needs to be hidden away. These can transform into small tables, just like you would do in your living room for example, and it is a handy way to store things safely in your garden. Don’t forget about your garden. Treat it as an extra room in your home, and give it as much care and attention as the rest of your home. A good garden will open up so many more options in the summer months, and will become a brilliant entertaining area. You do not have to spend a lot of money when you are upgrading it. Simple changes and tidying up can make a huge difference. Whether you have a small backyard, or acres of land, there is something that you can do to completely transform your outdoor area. We have a wide range of outdoor tiles to choose from.