Create a Garden of Delights

In many ways a garden could be considered an additional room for your house. After all, when the weather gets nice, you’re probably spending more time in the garden than you do inside. Consider, then, that by making your garden practical, functional and pleasing to the senses, you are, in fact, decorating it in much the same way you would your living room. If you think of it in this way, then a patio becomes your living space; the BBQ, your kitchen, and plants and flowers become your personal statement on what you find pleasing. Here are some ideas to help you create the outdoor living space you’ve always wanted.

Decide whether you’re more interested in having a deck or a patio. A deck is usually a structure built as a continuation of where the inside meets the outside, whereas a patio can be laid just about anywhere within your outdoor space.

Think about the materials you plan on using for your outdoor space. A patio can be made from interlock bricks, but you can also use a natural stone such as slate. A deck can be made out of concrete, but can also be made out of pressure treated wood. The more natural your built space looks, the more it will integrate into your garden. Also, consider the ratio between your green space and your built space. A deck or patio should enhance your backyard, not take it over.

When choosing plant material be aware of how much sun or shade your garden gets.

Garden accessories can add an extra layer of interest to your garden, especially if they have a vintage look. These items need not be expensive as some of them you probably already own. Check your garage or shed for old watering cans, buckets, bicycle baskets, old chairs or any other items just lying around. With a little dirt and some colourful flowers, they will be transformed into interesting outdoor pieces.

Think about how you’d like to light your garden after the sun goes down. For instance, tiki torches are festive and can be filled with citronella oil to help keep the bugs away. You might also consider solar outdoor garden lights – especially if you’ve created a path from your outdoor sitting area to your house.

When it comes to your garden, the possibilities are endless. All it takes is the desire to create a backyard space in which you’d want to spend your time. And by putting it together in the way that you’ve always wanted, that’s exactly what you’re going to do.