Did you know that spending time outdoors is good for your mental health? It’s not bad for your physical health either – and it’s a lot better than sitting inside in front of a screen all day. It’s not always possible to head out for a walk or to explore the countryside, but if you have any form of outside space, you can always enjoy the experience of fresh air and beautiful scenery. If your outdoor space leaves something to be desired and it’s not exactly inspiring, don’t worry; here are some excellent ways to make the most of it so you can enjoy it to its fullest.
MAKE IT MORE COMFORTABLE
Going outside doesn’t mean you have to expend a lot of energy or doing anything excessively physical unless, of course, you want to. You could just go outside and sit down with a good book or a long drink. If that’s the case, then you will need to ensure that your garden is as comfortable as possible; if it’s not comfortable, you’ll soon head back indoors, and you’ll be wasting the space you have.
Invest in some lovely garden furniture with cushions that can be removed and stored when the winter or wet weather comes, as this will keep them clean and fresh. You can choose a table and chairs, a sofa with a coffee style table, or even a swing seat or hammock. It will depend on your preferences and how much space you have, as well as your budget. At the very least, a great high quality deckchair will be a lot of use.
MAKE IT BOTH INSIDE AND OUT
There is a trend at the moment to try to incorporate both inside and outside spaces as one. It’s a great idea, as it makes your garden feel a lot bigger and allows you to make more use of it even when the weather isn’t so great. You can have a conservatory, for example, or look into orangeries with folding doors, which mean you have a seamless route from garden to house. If your budget is bigger, you can install impressive outdoor flooring that can also be used inside, giving you a free-flowing feeling.
MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL
Install pond water features, and your garden will look amazing. Ponds in gardens are fantastic for a few different reasons. Firstly, they are supremely relaxing to simply watch and enjoy – a handful of minutes (or even more) of complete peace and tranquillity watching the water feature in your pond trickle and bubble away is wonderful. Secondly, they are a haven for wildlife, making your garden a great place to explore.
MAKE IT FUN
There are so many different ways you can make your garden a fun space to be in. It will depend on what fun means to you, of course, and the demographic of people living in the house who might want to use your outside space (if you have children, what are their ages? Are there elderly people living in your home?), but to cover all angles, here are some of the best ideas:
- Toys and games
For children and adults alike, garden games can be wonderful. Items such as a climbing frame or swing set or outsized outdoor games like chess and snakes and ladders make the garden the best ‘room’ in the house.
- Barbecue
Finally, being able to cook outside is always exciting, so having a permanent barbecue as a feature in your garden that you can quickly fire up and cook some burgers or hot dogs on when the weather dictates is another great idea.
Great ideas. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading!
You’re so right, I always feel better when I get out of the house. Great ideas!
Thanks so much!!
The orangeries in the link are beautiful. I always thought that a connected one was called a walk-in patio. But it looks the same as ours
They’re beautiful aren’t they!
Yes esoteric… just need to figure out how to build a duck pond.