Tag: garden design

Modern garden patio ideas

Modern garden patio ideas

Thinking of having a modern patio installed in your garden? Well look no further. In this short guide, we’ll discuss various ideas that you could take into consideration for constructing a modern garden patio.

Please note that while laying a new patio is usually fine to undertake DIY, you should only do so if you have the right skills and knowledge. It’s important to take certain safety steps. In addition, some garden patio ideas will be easier to pull off than others for most people. If in any doubt, you should hire a professional.

Modern garden patio design options

First, we’ll take a look at the various garden patio ideas in terms of design, before moving on to other topics such as patio furniture and patio lighting. The following ideas are inspired by the use of different materials such as pea gravel or stone.

Chequerboard design

To achieve this look, you can merge pea gravel with somewhat larger pavers. These elements combined in the right way can create an eye-catching chequerboard design. The pea gravel is pretty much the equivalent of grout as far as the design goes with the pavers being added on top of the gravel to create the desired effect.

Circular patio design

Pea gravel could also be used to establish a rounded patio. You may want to add water features or/and plant pots to this construction to give it a more visually appealing look. A circular pea gravel patio with patio slabs around it can create a winning contrast. Overall, you’ll create an eye-catching aesthetic with this design if you carry it out successfully.

Poured concrete patio

There are different ways of using concrete to create a good-looking, modern garden patio. That includes using concrete pavers along with additional materials. However, there are other ideas worth considering such as a poured concrete patio.

Concrete patios usually consist of blocks being laid down beside one another. However, you could pour concrete slabs into place as an alternative, which is the idea being discussed here. You might also be interested in acid washing to create an attractive finishing touch.

Ways of giving your poured concrete patio some extra flare include:

  • Green ground cover being added (e.g. thyme or camomile) in the spaces between the patio slabs.
  • Surrounding the patio with pea gravel or other small stones. This could ideally be done with stones of varying colours.

Irregular stone patio steps

Natural stone can create a fantastic look for any modern patio. Of course, many who wish to have natural stone steps installed as a patio will simply choose ones with a matching size. However, you could try to be a little fancier and choose V-shaped stones with a more curved end.

How exactly you go about this will depend on your preference, but once the stones are secure to walk on, the possibilities are near endless in terms of how you arrange the steps since irregular designs can come in many forms. If you get a little stuck, consider asking a professional gardener for some ideas.

Raised patio

If you’d prefer a raised patio, some ideas worth considering are a raised block patio, raised small step off patio or a raised island patio.

A raised block patio involves:

  • Merge blocks/slabs (ideally those made of concrete) as a means of creating a large slab (i.e. the actual patio)
  • You could give the edges a clean look or decorate it with things like ornaments, water features or/and even a suitably-sized hedge.

A raised small step off patio consists of:

  • Add a small step at the edge of a large block patio for some extra value. The step should be placed by the middle third. Sort of similar to how a floppy disk looked (for those of you born before 1998).

Lastly, a raised island patio comprises:

  • If your garden is suitable, you may want to consider installing small patio steps from the back garden journeying you down to a small patio island toward the far end of the garden.
  • This design would involve plenty of room for creativity.
  • You may want to have the steps travel directly to the island patio or even that the steps could wind around, either to make room for other garden features or/and for more aesthetic purposes.

Modern patio furniture, lighting and edging

Once you’ve decided on the actual design of your modern garden patio, you’ll want to think about additional elements such as garden furniture and lighting. Let’s discuss some ideas.

Furniture ideas:

  • Outdoor modular sofa
  • Multi-functional seating
  • Fire pit or brazier

Lighting thoughts:

  • Solar or Bluetooth-enabled lanterns or festoon lights
  • Bamboo stakes for a visual effect
  • Steps and walkways illuminated by LED strip lighting

Edging suggestions:

  • Terracotta rope edging
  • Salvaged railway sleepers
  • Wooden log roll for curved borders

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Enhance the privacy of your garden using these 6 top tips

Enhance the privacy of your garden using these 6 top tips

Your home is an area where you can feel safe. It’s your space to seek some privacy and escape the complexities of everyday life. Although it can be easy to seek privacy behind closed doors, it can be a lot more difficult in your garden as it’s an open space. Luckily, there are some things that you can do to enhance the privacy of your garden, regardless of its size. Take a look at the six top tips below.

Build a summer house

Building a summer house is a more costly way to increase the privacy of your outdoor space. The average cost of a summer house is around £8,000. However, if you build one using your own materials, you can save yourself a lot of money. A summer house is a shelter that allows you to enjoy your garden all year round. It can give you privacy from your neighbours, and it can also increase the value of your home. So, although it’s a significant upfront cost, it can be worth it in the long run. If you want to save some money and build your own summer house, it’s advised that you do your research. One small error could end up costing you a lot of money.

Add a trellis

A trellis is a framework that’s often used to support climbing plants. You can add a trellis to the top of your fence panels for some added privacy. The great thing about a trellis is that it can be visually appealing, unlike a fence panel which is usually quite dull. You can plant flowering climbers like a sweet pea or rambling rose that will add a touch of beauty and fragrance to your outdoor space. They’re sure to be a conversation starter among your guests and you get to enjoy the added privacy that they bring. This is an ideal solution if you’re looking for a privacy tip on a tight budget. You can purchase a trellis from your local garden centre or make one yourself.

Consider installing an awning or veranda

Awnings and verandas are ideal if you want some privacy. Awnings are an overhang that you attach to the outside of your home. They give you shade during the warmer months and the colder months – so that you can sit outside regardless of the weather. Awnings are ideal for added privacy as it means your neighbours won’t be able to overlook you. If you’re interested in finding an awning for your home, enlist the help of Nationwide Home Innovations. For years, they’ve installed high-quality awnings, verandas and patio roofs. They can find you a style that will sit comfortably within your budget and compliment your home’s overall look and feel.

Plant large shrubs

Fence panels can be expensive – especially if you have a large property border. They’re not an option for some, so you may need another idea that will help you gain the privacy you crave. A great cost-effective tip is to plant large shrubs around the perimeter of your garden to form a hedge. Shrubs will grow steadily and can eventually reach a huge size. This is ideal – if you want to create a barrier between you and your neighbours’ gardens. Conduct an online search to find some of the fastest growing shrubs currently available. Don’t hesitate to ask for advice at your local garden centre. Plants can be a cost-effective way to form natural barriers so you can create hidden spaces in your garden. They also act as somewhere for wildlife to live and seek shelter.

Make a sail shade

A sail shade can offer your garden several fantastic benefits. Not only do they add a unique feature to the outdoor space, but they also give you a cover to seek some privacy from the outside world. A sail shade uses a flexible material and stretches across several anchor points around your garden. For example, you may wish to hang your sail shade between your garage roof and the top of your fence panel. They can be a significant upfront cost. So, to save some money, you can try making your own sail shade. You can learn how to do this by watching an online tutorial.

Experiment with trees

Not only do trees make an incredible feature in your garden, but they also offer several other positive benefits. Trees make fresh soil, which contributes to a fresher/healthier lawn. Trees also enhance the privacy of your garden. Much like a sail shade, trees make it a lot more difficult for your neighbours to overlook your space. You can experiment by planting different types of trees. Why not plant fruit trees so you can harvest and enjoy the ‘fruits’ of your labour? You can also plant trees that burst into colourful blossom during the spring/summer season and produce colourful foliage in the autumn months. It’s an excellent way to add a pop of colour to the space and really bring it to life.

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3 easy ways to improve your garden space

3 easy ways to improve your garden space

When your garden becomes overgrown and in desperate need of some TLC, it can be tough to know just where to begin. Before you start digging up borders and chopping down trees, consider the following three simple techniques to improve your garden space.

Tidy up your borders

Repairing broken fence panels and refreshing them with a few coats of paint or preservative could help make your garden appear much more orderly. if you have overgrown branches that are threatening to topple your fence, prune them back so that you don’t have to make any more repairs later in the year.

If you have paths, lawned areas or borders that are all intertwined with one another and there are no clearly marked out zones or boundaries, you may want to define the edges with things like a patio. Talking to a patio builder will help you come up with a practical plan.

Keeping things neat and tidy can take a lot of work, but creating attractive borders could make things look a little more put together. You can either purchase rolls of wooden edging strips or lay your own out of stones and bricks. There are various types available made of metal or recycled plastic that can be utilised.

Use more containers

Container gardening has several advantages when it comes to maintaining an ordered outdoor space. Potted plants are excellent for preventing plants from spreading out and rampaging across your garden space. It also helps to prevent weeds from taking over your garden as rapidly as they otherwise might. Considering that containers are available in a range of sizes, colours and materials, they can be used to divide up space. They’re ideal for creating adaptable outdoor spaces.

When you’re trying to cultivate a few crops in a container, it’s a great idea to have one that’s elevated or stands on legs or frame. With a raised bed such as this, there’ll be no more bending over to tend to your foodstuffs, and pest problems such as slugs and snails will be minimised as well.

Build plenty of outside storage

Ample exterior storage is extremely useful for helping keep the garden in order. A designated space for storing garden tools & equipment, empty plant pots & seed trays, hose reels or garden furniture is a great convenience. Many people, however, don’t have a convenient place to store these items and, as a result, basements and garages become overflowing. Having a shed in the garden ensures that everything can be kept in order and that you’ll always know where everything is located. Never again will you have to dig through a garage full of many other household things in a quest for the spade!

You may opt for a wooden shed that you can erect yourself, which is ideal if you’re au fait with building flat-pack furniture. Alternatively, you could hire a professional to set up your shed for you, ensuring that it’s level and robust, as well as firmly secured to the ground beneath it. If you’re trying to stick to a strict budget though, you need to consider any possible additional costs.

These tips should help you to improve your garden. Do you have any other tips that could help? Please share them with us in the comments below.

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How to create an everyday escape in your garden

How to create an everyday escape in your garden

Usable outdoor space is one of the essential features of any garden. Imaginative outdoor spaces can transform a bland environment into one where you want to spend time. Without question, it’s advantageous to create a garden where you want to relax and unwind – perhaps read a book, enjoy some sunshine or have a barbecue.

If you’re looking for ways to upgrade your outdoor space, you can create some stylish and sophisticated options using stepping stones to upgrade your garden area. These stones can give your garden more structure and allow you and your visitors to take on a slower or more interesting journey through the space.

It won’t necessarily be a quick fix; however, this simple guide on how to plan and design your garden will make it much easier to achieve your dream plot.

Plan for what you want

Before you begin, you need to make sure that your garden design plans are attainable. You may need planning permission if you want to erect structures, fences, walls or gates or if you want to add to what’s already there. For example, in many areas, if the structure is to be over a metre high and next to a highway, or more than two metres elsewhere, official approval is required.

You may also need permission if you live in a listed building or if the structure shares a boundary with a listed building.

Understand and set the budget for the garden design

Even if you’re creating a small garden with a relatively simple design it can become a costly process once you factor in design fees, materials, machinery and hiring contractors.

It’s recommended that you spend around 5 – 15% of the value of the house on the garden, which can increase the value of your property by a similar if not greater, amount. Determine how much you can afford to spend and identify areas where you can cut costs if necessary.

Select your garden structures and buildings

Do you have garden storage ideas in mind for your garden? A secure shed for storing tools and equipment, as well as furniture that needs to be put away when not in use, can be part of your renovation plan from the start. If you only have a small amount of space, you may have to make do with a compact sentry shed or a dual-function storage bench.

Garden structures aren’t just for storage. For example, a glazed, summer house-type building could be ideal for spending time on hobbies, relaxing or working. Some designs combine a shed and a summer house, so you don’t have to double up on structures to achieve everything that you want.

Alternatively, if you enjoy growing crops, installing a greenhouse may be the way to go, or, if you’re looking for a secluded retreat to enjoy some peace & quiet, shed or garden room ideas might be best for you.

Pathways to connect your outdoor zones

When designing your outdoor areas, garden path ideas are essential. They’ll allow you to move from zone to zone and keep everyone off the grass when it’s frosty or wet. Like the foundation for your outdoor living spaces, paths can be made using various materials; ranging from pea shingle or slate chippings to wooden decking or granite sets. Pathways are a practical way of connecting the different zones in your garden. They can be attractive as well.

Consider garden maintenance

Needs and wants differ from person to person, but consider how you want your outdoor area to look and how much time you have for garden maintenance. Having a specific style or theme in mind can help determine the eventual layout and design details. Take the time to consult with everyone in the family, including the children and remember that a bit of wiggle room is usually required!

For instance, if you want to create a vegetable plot, you’ll need to make the effort to maintain it throughout the seasons. Likewise, if you plant a beautiful rose garden, ensure you’re happy to spend the time on pruning and dead-heading them when necessary.

Parting words

The primary purpose of your garden space should be what you have in mind when designing it. Whether you intend to use it primarily for relaxing, being self-sufficient in fruit & veg or for children to play, your garden space should be perfectly matched to how you and your family prefer to spend your time outside.

Bearing all of the above pointers in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating an interesting garden space where you and yours can enjoy the garden throughout the year.

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