A garden can have a transformative effect on your mind, body, and soul, as well as add significant value to your home.
It is a place to bond with your family, socialize with friends, and relax in nature. However, if your garden is currently unruly it can present a daunting project to undertake.
Unless you are a keen gardener, chances are you won’t know how to improve it – particularly if it is an unconventional shape or size.
The good news is that although a gardening project is hard work, it is often immensely rewarding in a way that a house improvement project can’t match.
Working with nature to create a beautiful landscape over time forces you to be patient, sympathize with the natural world and let go of life’s stresses for an hour or two per day. While it may not happen overnight, the pride you will feel when your garden is finished will only increase over time.
To help get your creativity sparking, here are some of the best ways to improve your garden:
Integrate Your Garden with the House
A great garden must be in harmony with the house it is attached to, which is why your first job should be to ensure that the layout of both your garden and the property itself is in sync.
For example, to make the contrast between your house and garden less abrupt, you could build a conservatory or garden room.
Not only will this make it easier for you to enjoy the fruits of your labor once the garden has been improved, but it will be a seamless bridge between the natural world and the rest of your house. You can use it to host social occasions or summer meals with your family, which might not always be possible outside.
Modern conservatory ideas are varied, meaning you should be able to find a design that suits your house and garden’s aesthetic.
Create a Clear Theme
Any great garden has a distinct theme which is present throughout. This gives it a structure and cohesiveness that is pleasing to the eye and ensures that there is balance and harmony between different species of plants, trees and other additions.
Common garden themes include an English garden, French garden, Japanese garden, wildlife garden and edible gardens (which, as the name suggests, involve you growing fruits and vegetables).
You can choose the theme depending on what suits your outdoor area the best. If you live in an inner-city property with a small stone-walled garden, then trying to integrate huge trees and water features is not going to work.
Conversely, trying to create an intimate theme in a huge sprawling expanse of fields is not possible. Therefore, it is best to work with what you have.
Decide What You Want to Use the Garden for
While garden themes are important for deciding the overall aesthetic of your outdoor space, it is also crucial to know what you want to use the garden for.
If you want to play a game of football with your children on weekends, then creating a cramped and delicate garden design is only going to lead to disaster.
The same goes for if you want to entertain friends regularly. While huge flower beds look pretty, you might want to consider building a stand-alone decking area or other recreational spaces.