So many of us love nothing more than to get out in our gardens at this time of the year, and rightfully so. A garden can be an area to socialise, to take in nature and a safe space to unwind and relax. The question remains, what do you want from your outdoor space this summer?

Entertaining spaces

With the longer, warmer days of summer, your garden can be a space to entertain. The choice of how you do this is yours. If feeling connected to nature is important to you, placing outdoor furniture centrally, immersed in nature could prove to be worthwhile. Additionally, if you wish to host and entertain into the evening, installing a firepit can allow you to stay warm once the summer sun goes down. British weather can be unpredictable, installing a pergola could provide shelter for the wetter days, while also providing shade when the sun is at its brightest. 

A place to invite nature

Nature can add a certain magic to an outdoor space, and it doesn’t have to be solely in the form of flowers and shrubbery. Creating a space which invites wildlife can allow you to re-connect with nature, through seeing plants, animals and birds thrive in a space you have created. There are a variety of ways to do this, whether it be planting wildflowers to encourage butterfly and bee visits, placing birdfeeders to attract an assortment of birds, or purchasing hedgehog feed from a local garden centre. These are a few examples of what can be done to attract wildlife; and it’s important to remember to have appropriate ‘viewing points’ to appreciate your new guests’ company. 

Sunset seating

Watching the sunset can provide a variety of health benefits, including stress reduction, improved sleep quality and a boost in mood. This is why it is important to note where the sun sets in your garden. If possible, creating a space where you are able to enjoy the sunset can provide you with an activity to look forward to everyday and boost the secretion of melatonin and serotonin- our feel-good hormones. Building an area to relax in the evenings, perhaps one where you’re able to enjoy a well-deserved drink from an outdoor seating area could provide to be a worthy investment. 

Makeover or make a move? 

An effective method to get garden ideas and inspiration is to seek inspiration from other properties. This can be done through browsing magazines, TV programmes and social media in order to stay in the loop of gardening trends. If you do find yourself looking, and feel a strong connection to a specific garden, it may be worth exploring possibilities with your local estate agent, particularly if it’s a garden which is unfeasible in your current space. With the property market performing well, a great level of choice, and reasonable pricing, you could purchase a home with the garden that you have always wanted.