Having a beautiful garden has always been a point of pride for homeowners. However, while it used to be all about perfectly manicured lawns and trimmed hedges, the trend seems to be going in the more laid-back direction that combines comfort, practicality as well as aesthetics.
Turn Over a New Leaf: Garden Design Tips
What your garden will look like will depend on your preferences and needs, as well as how much time you actually like to spend there.
That said, there are some design tips that can help you create an amazing garden that you’ll love spending time in.
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Designated Outdoor Dining Area
Due to everything that’s been going on these last few years, outdoor gatherings with friends and family members have become increasingly popular.
As long as the weather allows for it, people are making the most use out of their outdoor spaces, and this is a trend that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
In order to accommodate that, it’s important that your garden provides a nice seating area as well as a cooking area. You can be as elaborate in your outdoor kitchen design, or you can keep it on the down-low – depending on how often you use it.
Regardless, looking into the right type of built in grill for your needs is something most gardens can benefit from.
In the same vein, a nice long outdoor dining table, some folding chairs and something overhead so that you and your guests aren’t too disturbed by the sun or by the rain is the perfect recipe for a successful gathering.
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Vegetable Garden
We can hardly talk about 2022 garden design tips without mentioning sustainability. People want to do their part in minimizing waste and doing good for the planet, and organic produce has been in high demand.
If you don’t plan on using harsh chemicals to protect your veggies, then you’ll get to enjoy the truly organic taste. While it can seem scary at first, growing your own vegetables is a rewarding challenge that will make you feel closer to nature.
You can even decide to go for a more modern look, with a raised wooden vegetable garden bed. On the other hand, bees and other pollinators contribute to at least 75% of global food production – honey is also enjoying a lot more attention as people become more interested in natural products.
As such, having a designated area for those cute little animals can be an unexpected garden design tip that will make your friends and family members adore you.
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Choosing Plants
It’s one thing to keep an outdoor space looking beautiful, and it’s another to become a botanist. If you’re the type that prefers their garden as low-maintenance as possible (and let’s face it, we all do), then this is ultimately the best option.
While there will always be the traditional flowers and bushes, there are so many other options out there – all depending on how much effort you want to put into your garden.
For example, the top three plants that will continue to thrive regardless of climate and irrigation conditions (and also look amazing) include bamboo, ornamental grasses, and shrubs.
As a general rule, most of your garden should be designed around different landscaping plants, and you can keep the flowers that need a bit more care in decorative pots.
That way, you’ll have an amazing garden to look at year-round, while still enjoying a pop of color here and there during the blooming season.
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Outdoor Lighting
The more time you spend in your garden, the better you will enjoy it. This means that taking a little extra effort to make your outdoor space as inviting and enjoyable as possible is worth it.
For example, having a few well-placed outdoor lamps around the area will provide the appropriate amount of light for when the sun goes down, creating an inviting atmosphere.
This makes it easier to enjoy your garden for longer periods of time – extending the hours that you spend outdoors and making use out of this amazing space. There are a lot of options to choose from, solar-powered lights being at the top of the list simply because they don’t require any maintenance or wiring whatsoever.
That said, you don’t want to just place the lights wherever. Playing with shadows so that the garden’s best features are literally highlighted while keeping some areas in the dark is a great way to not only draw the eye to your favorite spots but also to create a somewhat mystical atmosphere.
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Water Feature
Nothing can really bring a sense of calm and serenity quite like a garden pond or fountain. Water can create so much life and energy, and this is especially true when it comes to outdoor spaces. The trick here is not to overdo it.
A single small water feature that goes along with the rest of your garden design is enough to make any homeowner happy. Keep in mind that you don’t need to limit yourself in terms of size, either.
If you have the means to do so, and if the climate you live in allows for it, a koi pond can be a beautiful addition to your garden. Focusing on Japanese-inspired designs is an especially good idea, as the East Asian country has a rich history of traditional garden designs that are perfect for inspiration.
On the other hand, a simple birdbath will be sufficient to attract all sorts of feathered friends that are sure to make your garden even more beautiful.
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Walkways
A great way to make the most out of your garden is to focus on including appropriate walkways.
Whether you prefer stepping on some nice, natural stone or maybe even cobblestone, there are plenty of options available and you don’t need to limit yourself (even if they’re a bit more expensive and require a little more maintenance).
Creating elaborate walkways and paths throughout your garden will not only give you easier access to every part of it but also give guests plenty of room to walk around, and provide structure and cohesiveness to the space.
While there are a few requirements, such as it being level and smooth so people aren’t tripping everywhere, the most important thing is to use a theme when designing your walkways.
This will tie in all of your garden features together and make everything look natural and aesthetically pleasing.
Just like interior design has shifted from being focused mostly on the looks to a more rounded, holistic approach that puts emphasis on comfort as well, garden design has done something similar.
The important thing is that you feel at home in your outdoor space – there’s no need for it to look like a formal garden. Enjoy the beauty nature has to offer while creating something new and inviting.
That way, you’ll enjoy spending more time outside and will feel great about all the hard work you put into making your garden look beautiful.
