Many people move into their new home during the winter months and ignore their garden, to then visit it in the summer months and feel like it’s not a place they want to relax in – if you fall into this category, you are not alone!
When the weather is horrid, it’s raining and windy, why would you want to spend time in your garden, looking after it? The issue comes when it’s sunny, you want to go out but the grass is overgrown, your fences have been damaged and you don’t have any nice furniture to relax in – if you have a summer house, you can store some of the furniture pieces in there, when the weather isn’t at it’s best.
The best way to make your garden a place to relax is to dedicate a weekend day to going out and tackling all the bits you don’t like about it. Maybe you need to repaint your fences, hose down your decking and dust out your BBQ ready to invite your guests over. By setting a dedicated day, you can get everything done and then know moving forward, it’s a space you can be proud of.
To help get you prepared for the summer months in your garden, below we have put together our guide on getting it ready so that it’s a palace you like to relax in. Hopefully, we can give you some inspiration and changes to make, that you can easily do. Keep on reading to learn more.
Respray your fencing
A quick win that you can do to your garden to make it look more presentable is to respray your fencing and your shed for that matter. During the winter months, the rain and wind can cause a lot of damage to your fences, making them look ugly and unappealing. By respraying them, you can update their colours, make them look as good as new and it will instantly transform your garden into a more welcoming space. Plus, this step isn’t costly at all and can quickly be done.
Pressure wash your decking
Do you have any decking or a patio in your garden? These areas are where most people relax when enjoying a garden space. Just like your fencing, during the colder months, they can get very dirty with moss and mud covering them, making them look ugly – a place you don’t want to relax in. Another quick win, get your pressure washer out and give them a good spray, making them look shiny new again. Then you can get your furniture out and relax in a positive environment.
Purchase furniture pieces
Talking about furniture, it may be time you think about buying some or replacing the pieces of furniture you currently own, if they are old. Having new furniture in your garden instantly changes the dynamic and gives you some motivation to enjoy it – the last thing you are going to do is buy a new outside dining set, to not use it. Why not visit your local garden centre to see what furniture pieces they have? Pinterest, TikTok and Instagram are also great places to look for some inspiration. Garden chairs are a must, a garden table is also a must. You may find having a garden coffee table is useful for drinks as well as a few reclinable chairs that are easy to move about. Some coffee tables double up as an ice bucket for your drink helping keep them cold when the weather outside is very hot – there is nothing worse than a warm bottle of wine or a warm beer.
Mow your lawn
It goes without saying, you will need to mow your lawn. The longer you go without mowing it, the more the grass will grow and the more untidy it will look. Lawnmowers don’t have to be expensive, with many affordable ones on the market. If you want to be money-savvy, you can look for a secondhand one on a marketplace, like eBay or Facebook marketplace. You will find there are plenty available to choose from.
Plant new plants
We are guessing that your flower beds aren’t at their finest if you have been neglecting them over the winter months. Now it’s sunny, visit your local flower store and purchase some nice flowers to plant in your garden. Flowers bring colour to your space, are great for your mental health and help create a relaxing aura. There are a myriad of flowers you can choose from – our advice would be to pick the ones that are long-lasting and can withstand bad weather. You never know, gardening may be a hobby you take up, once you start planting them.
Add lighting to your garden
Lighting in your garden can create a wonderful feel and it’s very affordable to do. You can light your pathway, light a section you enjoy looking at and add spotlights on your decking so that you can enjoy relaxing at night. You’ll be amazed at how different a garden can look, once you start adding lights around it. With modern-day technology, you can also sync your lights up to Google or Alexa, so you can control them via your voice in your property. When buying lighting, getting a spot light for the front of your house is recommended as this is good for security and keeping you safe.
Buy feature pieces
We mentioned above about buying new pieces of furniture. Alongside this, you could look into buying some feature pieces that you can place around your garden, to enhance it. A water fountain is a great example of this. A water fountain looks appealing and it produces a lovely background noise, as the water moves about. You could also buy some garden ornaments or a bird feeder – bird feeders will encourage the wildlife around you to visit, which can be really nice to watch. Your local garden centre will have a whole collection of feature pieces that you can look at, so it’s best to visit to get some ideas of what might work nicely in your garden.
Host a Party
Hosting a party in your garden offers a unique and serene setting that perfectly blends the comfort of home with the beauty of the outdoors. It’s an ideal way to relax and reconnect with friends in a relaxed, comfortable environment. Amidst the lush greenery and under the open sky, conversations flow more freely, laughter rings louder, and the stresses of everyday life seem to melt away. Adding to this enchanting atmosphere is the tantalising aroma of food being cooked outdoors.
To help you relax and enjoy yourself consider hiring caters. Opting for pig roast catering can elevate your garden party from a simple gathering to an unforgettable event. A pig roast not only serves as a spectacular centrepiece that will impress and entertain but also provides a delicious talking point that complements the laid-back vibe. It’s about more than just food; it’s about creating memories in an idyllic setting where every detail contributes to an atmosphere of ease and enjoyment. So, when planning your next get-together, consider making it a garden party – it’s sure to be a hit with your friends who will relish in the relaxation and revelry.
Install a BBQ
If you are someone who enjoys hosting others, then you can’t go without having a BBQ. Install a new BBQ as a feature piece and then move your furniture items to surround it. When you know guests are coming around, you will be more motivated to keep your garden tidy and presentable. BBQs come in all shapes and sizes, meaning you can fit one in any space within your garden, whether that’s on your patio or its own dedicated cove. All that’s left is to get your canned mojitos out, prepare a few side dishes, prepare a music playlist, get your best outfits on and host your loved ones.
As you can see, there are a plethora of things you can do in your garden to make it a place you are proud of and willing to invite your guests around to enjoy with you. Our best tip is to write down the things you don’t like about your garden and then find solutions to these problems – change doesn’t have to be expensive!
What advice would you give to someone looking to get their garden a place for them to relax in? Do you like to host guests around yours for a BBQ in the summer months? Which of the above tips do you think is most useful? Is there anything you think we are missing? Let us know in the comment box below, we look forward to hearing from you.
Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post
