Archive for the ‘Garden & Outdoors’ Category

For the disinterested or the unwilling having a garden can be a challenge to be avoided. As a rule of thumb anything that is green, or that has green things on it, tends to grow and thus needs to be trimmed, cut or pruned at regular intervals.

And yet those who live at altitude will invariably look on with envy. Green with envy, if you will pardon the pun. Most flat-dwellers would not think twice about swapping their panoramic view of the car park for a piece of green open space that they could truly call theirs.

Of course for most keepers of gardens the task is simply to maintain a few square yards of space. The roaming acres of open land enjoyed by the few is alas the stuff only of dreams. But even within the restraints of the semi-detached urban or suburban garden great decisions are having to be made. Will it be grass or crazy paving? Where best to locate the shed? Will it be a fishpond or no fishpond?

It’s nice to get away from them all

There is an awful lot we can do with even the most modest of gardens. It can be a place to relax during the summer, somewhere to sit around a wooden table, under the parasol, and take lunch or drinks. It can play host to a shed, alternatively a place of industry and labour or a simple retreat from the attentions and demands of a noisy family. It can boast an array of pots and plants, a rockery, or a water feature. It is a place where serene peace meets creativity.

Most of all though, a garden is where one cultivates. Whether it be flowers or plants for our visual enjoyment or healthy produce for the dinner table, the satisfaction derived from the knowledge that it was home-grown would be difficult to exaggerate.

It is unsurprising then that the well-stocked garden shed boasts an array of items as diverse as common garden tools, seed tins, spud sacks and buckets. Take a look at the Outdoor Life range of goods on offer to get some idea of the sheer variety of products available for garden use.

A tidy, attractive, well-organised garden lends so much to the general ambience of a residential home. It creates a sense of relaxation and allows us a little glimpse of nature amid a sea of red brick and concrete.

Whether you’ve a large garden or small backyard, the summer months are probably the only opportunity to really make the most of your outdoor space. Plenty of sunshine (hopefully) and long summer twilights give us all the chance to get out of the house and relax with friends and family. But wouldn’t it be an added bonus to create an outdoor living area that you can be proud of? Well, just a few simple design ideas and products can help you achieve a fabulous look.

How does your garden grow?

Your garden or back yard may already look good in which case you might just want to change the décor or you may be staring at a complete mess and need a total overhaul. Whatever the situation, decide on a plan and a budget.

Try to include shady areas in your outdoor space so you can get away from the sun. Most gardens and yards will have natural shade at certain times of the day but if yours doesn’t use plants such as Ivy that will thrive in the sunshine and provide cover. If you don’t want to plant anything, make sure you’ve got a parasol.

Choose your style

Do you prefer a contemporary look or a more traditional feel to your garden? Your choice may depend on existing garden furniture but take a look at the styles of outdoor décor that are available as you could be surprised by what you actually like. You may find one piece that you fall in love with in which case you can design your outdoor space around it.

Think about the existing colours of your parasol or chair cushions as this can help you decide on a palette. If you’re setting out to buy everything new, the colours you choose should be complemented in other parts of the outdoor space such a fencing. Speaking of which, if your fences are a boring wood colour, give them a lick of outdoor paint to brighten things up.

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