Are you thinking about how you can update and transform your garden for summer 2018? It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking to completely redesign your garden or upgrading what you currently have, there are lots of different options that will transform your space and bring it up-to-date for this season. If you want to know more about the top 2018 garden trends that you should be incorporating, make sure you carry on reading!
Embrace al fresco styling
With spring finally here and summer jut around the corner, now is the time to utilise your outdoor space. Al fresco dining is the perfect way to do this and this year this trend is set to be bigger than ever! Having a place where you can eat and entertain will be a hugely popular garden trend and is a great option for those who don’t have a huge kitchen or dining space. Have a dedicated area in your garden where you can install some mood lighting, comfy furniture and a BBQ for amazing summer nights entertaining family and friends outdoors. Exterior structures are also set to be really big this year and are perfect for covering any outdoor furniture sets that you may have. Some manufacturers have noticed a big rise throughout last year of people requesting verandas, so this looks to be a trend that’s set to rise throughout 2018 too.
Opt for a vibrant colour palette
Muted tones are still extremely popular with many people and a lovely muted grey colour applied to woven furniture is a great option that adds a touch of sophistication to your outdoor gardens pace. However, while muted colours are definitely still popular, the big trend for 2018 is bold, daring and vibrant colours being incorporated into our outdoor furniture. Many of us are being that little bit braver with our style and incorporating these fun colours using contemporary furniture design and the latest textile designs.
Wabi-sabi styling
If you are guilty of not having too much of a hands on approach with your garden space, which we can say we are too, then you will be glad to hear that the wabi-sabi trend is here to stay in 2018. If you’re not as green fingered as you would like to be this will definitely be the trend that you will want to incorporate into your garden this year. Wasi-sabi is a Japanese term and they’ve been practising it for hundreds of years, from the 15th century. This is essentially when you accept the natural cycle of your garden space, which is growth, decay and death. This is the opposite to what we normally hear, as the Western world usually strives for perfection and this trend is exactly the opposite. The key with this trend is to get a good balance between nurture and nature and you are encouraged to enjoy your garden space and relax in its natural beauty. Weathered pots, rusty gates and moss-covered stones are all part and parcel of this trend. To incorporate this into your garden, try to choose plants that will change over time with the seasons to add character to your garden.
Multi-use sheds
Another big trend for your garden space this summer is to have a multi-use shed. These sheds are growing in popularity as more and more people are looking for a shed that they can do more in than simply just store items. The she-shed has been a huge trend over the past couple of years and sheds are now becoming a much more practical and functional space.
You can find an array of not just sheds but also garden workshops at ShedStore. They offer a wide range of metal, plastic and wooden sheds in an array of designs and sizes, plus they are at great prices which can all be viewed at their website; https://www.shedstore.co.uk/. Why not turn your garden workshop into a place where you can enjoy your favourite hobbies such as completing DY projects?
Grow your own food
We’re all becoming more and more aware of where our food comes from and what exactly is in it. There has been a huge increase in the number of people eating organic and adopting a plant-based diet, all of which can be incorporated into your garden as part of this 2018 trend. With food prices rising and plant-based diets rising over 360% in the past decade, why not try to grow your own food in your garden?
Have an allotment in your garden or just section off a small area of your garden to experiment with different foods. There are some vegetables that are easier to grow than others, so why not start by growing broccoli, spinach, peas or even quinoa? You could even start smaller by growing a box of herbs.
You can learn how to get started on your own allotment at https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=84.
Solar lights
When spicing up your garden, you want to think about incorporating some lights into it which are perfect for those warmer summer evenings. The big trend for garden lighting in 2018 is solar! This is good for both ornamental lighting and as a practical solution too. Solar lighting is a great addition to the garden as they are now cost-effective and completely safe. They help to create the perfect atmosphere for you to unwind and relax.
Add a touch of copper
You may already have noticed that copper was one of the biggest trends in interior design throughout 2017 and this trend is set to continue as we move it outside to the garden. Copper is a gorgeous colour and this material provides a lovely rose-gold effect. Hard landscaping with copper can provide a warm effect and is the perfect contrast to any surrounding wood, stone or gravel.
Add exotic plants
This year, it’s all about the exotic plants, so, if you’re green fingered, this is a trend that you’ll love. Why not try out planting some unusual and exotic specimens? The euonymus oxyphyllus is a slow-growing shrub from Korea that’s becoming increasingly popular due to its gorgeous colour! The leaves start as a stunning emerald and then this transforms into bronze, yellow and red over autumn.
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