For many of us, the winter months often result in staying out of the garden and hibernating in the cosiness of your home.
Image by F. Muhammad from Pixabay
However, one of the best times to redesign your outdoor space is during the winter, when plants are dormant and you have a little more time on your hands. Redesigning your garden is an exciting prospect, especially if your current garden isn’t catering to your needs.
So, if you’re hoping to create an attractive and practical space for your garden this year, Brett Landscaping offer some advice on where to start and the different elements to consider.
Find some inspiration
Before beginning any outdoor project, it can be helpful to look at other gardens and patio areas to get some inspiration. This can help to gather some ideas of what you like, as well as what you don’t like, which can narrow down your choices when it comes to paving, plants and layout. It’s absolutely worth taking the time to find completed projects of gardens similar size to yours, so you can create a great starting point.
Begin to form an idea on paths, patio areas and outdoor dining, as well as boundaries, hedges, lawns and shrubs. By looking at other finished outdoor spaces, you can build a picture of how you’d like your garden to look. What’s more, you can also begin to envisage a space that lets you use your garden how you want, whatever your lifestyle.
It’s also important to take into consideration what direction your garden faces, as it could have an impact on where you place your patio or which plants you choose.
Consider a theme for your outdoor space
When planning a new outdoor space, think about whether you would prefer something traditional or perhaps something a little more contemporary. Do you want your garden to match the overall theme of your home, or would you prefer something entirely different? While there are no hard and fast rules, it can help to have an idea of the direction you want to go in.
The paving you choose for your garden can help to achieve this theme, and can add texture, structure and character to your outdoor space. What’s more, the right choice can lead to a low maintenance design that works all year round. Think about the different options available, including porcelain paving that can be designed to replicate natural slate, sandstone, granite and more.
Who will carry out the work?
In most cases, redesigning your outdoor space will need some professional input. It’s important to get some different quotes from approved professionals, and talk to them about your ideas. A good landscaper will be able to help with planning and designs, and remember, if your tradesmen of choice are booked up in advance, this is usually a good sign!
When it comes to an installer for your chosen paving, ask to see similar work and check if they are a member of an accreditation scheme.
How to choose the right plants
As well as paving, you might also wish to make some decisions on the type of plants you want to include in your outdoor space. Consider how much light your garden gets through the day, and in different seasons, and think about whether you would prefer greenery or an array of colours.
It’s important to choose plants that are suitable for their surrounding environment, which means you may have to compromise. However, with so many plants, shrubs and trees to choose from, you’re bound to end up with the perfect combination.