Our outdoor spaces can be sanctuaries, social areas or a great places for our children to play and get exercise. Many of us remember running around a family garden when we were younger, getting a tan in the summer and throwing snowballs in the winter. If you’re lucky enough to own a garden that you can access at any time, then it’s an excellent idea to take advantage of this. There are real benefits to enjoying fresh air at some point during the day. A garden upgrade might be just the thing to tempt you outside. Not everybody is green-fingered, of course, but there are other options on offer – whether through your own efforts or by calling in a professional gardener or landscape designer.

Garden rooms

Garden buildings can be used for numerous purposes – a home office, craft room, DIY workshop, study or potting shed. Sometimes people buy them to use as a multi-purpose, outdoor living base for the warmer months; somewhere to cook, entertain visitors or use as a kids’ play area. In fact, getting the children involved in decorating your garden space might be an idea that you want to explore. If you’re able to identify a suitable space outdoors for a garden room, you may be able to have that coveted, tucked-away office. Also, having an office in your garden could boost the success of your business, ensuring that you have a place to concentrate and a space where you can achieve an effective work/life balance. It’s something that many business owners claim they couldn’t do without once they’ve experienced it. It can be an investment that brings you high returns in the future.

Artificial grass

Artificial grass is a little bit Marmite; gardeners and home-owners can be conflicted about this particular one. But there’s no denying the fact that many people have chosen this route and are more than happy with the results. The amount of money and time that you save choosing artificial grass is well worth the initial outlay and effort. When this new technology first came onto the market, many people were sceptical, but it’s now a much more common landscaping choice. Many people have been converted… it’s a material that’s clean, hard wearing and virtually maintenance free. It can save you lots of time, allowing you to enjoy your garden without the effort of weeding and mowing. I’s also great for the elderly and disabled who can’t quite so easily manage their garden. It’s interesting to note that the artificial grass on the market can last for up to 15 years, and most come with a guarantee covering that length of time.

Water features

You may think that fountains are only for those of us with plenty of spare cash to burn, but there is a range of options from to suit every budget. From simple, miniature water features to the more extravagant statues with fountains attached, you can easily find something that will suit you and your outdoor space. They add real interest – both visually and audibly. It’s important to relax and unwind – and the beautiful sound of running water is a special thing for us to experience.We work hard to be in the position to own our own gardens, so why not add a little luxury and interest to them?

Vegetation

When we think of a garden, we often think of beautiful flowers and shrubs located there. Obviously, these are features that enhance our gardens massively. Still, we don’t always know where to start with plants and flowers, but luckily with resources such as the internet and local garden centres, we should be able to create something unique for our gardens. It’s important to remember that different plants require different growing conditions – and also they’ll be in bloom at different times of the year. To ensure that your garden has ample flowers on display for as much of the year as possible, you may choose to hire professional help – whether through a garden designer or landscape gardener. They’ll know all the ins and outs of the gardening year and will be able to create that special place for you.

You could even take an online course to help you understand garden design, landscaping, plants and flowers… all the aspects that will help you enhance your garden dramatically. Many people have created long-term careers just through an initial hobby interest in gardening and learning about the topic.

Trees

Most of us love trees – walking through woodland or a park filled with beautiful trees can really help us de-stress. Tree-lined streets and avenues have a calming effect, bringing a bit of nature into the urban environment. And how wonderful to be able to open the back door and spend time sitting under your own tree? If you aren’t a gardener or don’t have green fingers, don’t worry. A tree pretty much takes care of itself and can be an excellent addition to your garden. Choose a suitable tree for the space available, give it the initial care it needs… then sit back and enjoy watching it grow and observing all the wildlife that it attracts.

So, whether you want a completely fresh garden design, a new garden building, new planting schemes or just some artificial grass – a garden upgrade is undoubtedly going to improve your chances of enjoying your time in your outdoor space and increase your home’s appeal when it comes to selling… and anything that can get you outside breathing fresh air and exercise is, of course, a great thing!

[disclosure*]