If the forecasters are to be believed, we’re in for a sizzling hot summer, so it’s the perfect time to invest in your garden. Forget panic buying the first barbecue you see at your local garden centre. Instead think of your outside space as another room – an extension of your home – and give it as much care and attention as you would the interior.

Multi-functional

Most gardens, like rooms, are multi-functional. Start by thinking about how you would like to enjoy your garden this summer. Do you want to eat outside in the sunshine, relax on a reclining chair or play with your children? It may sound obvious but outdoor games equipment for letting off steam should be in an entirely different area to somewhere for sunbathing or reading a book. A space for quiet relaxation won’t work if it’s next to a child bouncing on a squeaky trampoline. Ideally, a mini football goal needs to be far from windows that could be broken, or flower beds trampled.

Creating different zones

Once you have your uses in mind, think about creating zones.  That is, divide your garden into different areas – so there is somewhere to dine, relax, play and entertain as well as functional, productive spaces like a veg patch. Think about how you could break up the plot with screens, canopies and more. A wisteria-clad pergola could create a private corner to hide away and relax in. Add outdoor furnishings, like cushions and rugs, to create the perfect place to unwind with a book, meditate or even do yoga. Screens, trellises and birch walls can be used to hide functional areas like compost bins and washing lines as well as create privacy from prying eyes. Similarly, think about screening off areas using hedging or shrubs.

Declutter and clean

Even smaller courtyard gardens can accommodate multiple uses.  Make sure any toys, tools or bikes are packed away, so they don’t clutter up your outside living space. Invest in a shed which you can make look pretty with paint and brightly coloured bunting.  Alternatively, outdoor storage units are useful to tidy bulky items away.  Just like interior spaces, external living areas look better after a spring clean. Jet hose patios, paths and garden furniture to spruce them up for summer. Make sure boundary fencing is kept in good repair. Lawns must be mowed and hedges trimmed to maximise space and natural light.

Multiple seating areas

Views and how the sun travels around your garden during the day are important things to consider when creating an outdoor living space. Ask yourself, do you want morning or evening sun, or both? If you have the space, create multiple seating areas. A small bistro set for your morning coffee, a trestle table for long summer lunches and a bench that catches late afternoon sun.  Invest in some comfy seating that can be stored away in winter.

If possible, allow about 1.5 metres of space between seating and the edge of the space for people to walk comfortably around and mingle. For chilly evenings, consider a fire pit or an outdoor chimney to make the space warm and welcoming – extending the hours and months that you can use your outside living space.

Hard landscaping.

Extend the use of your outdoor living space by building a terrace, patio or decking in your garden’s sunniest spot. This could be the perfect position for a barbecue or pizza oven, table and chairs. The clever use of raised borders can carve out an intimate dining area with a table and chairs encircled by trees and flowers to create a relaxed natural atmosphere. 

If your garden is long and narrow, winding paths and a series of curved lawns can make the space feel bigger. Use a limited palette of hard materials, such as pavers or stepping-stones, to link spaces as you move through the garden. 

If you have existing level changes, its best to work with these rather than against them. For example, create a sunken seating area around a fire pit. If your garden is flat, adding levels can be costly but you don’t have to spend a fortune. A raised decking area alongside your patio can work just as well as digging down to create a separate space.

Planting and biodiversity

It’s important to create a balance between hard and soft landscaping in your outdoor space; too much hard and it can appear sterile and cold. Your choice of trees, flowers and shrubs will help to create atmosphere, adding colour and texture. Depending on your garden’s size, soil conditions and light levels, you could plant evergreen and deciduous trees with shiny foliage and beautiful blossoms. A Magnolia tree or Japanese Maple can provide a stunning focal point, for instance. Look for species with attractive autumn leaves, interesting bark and winter berries.

Perhaps you might surround an outdoor eating area with pots of culinary herbs like mint, basil and rosemary that will supply a fresh source of ingredients. Grow climbing plants like roses, honeysuckle on a trellis that not only look beautiful but provide perfume too. Or if you have a favourite bench, group pots for seasonal planting alongside it with bigger planters for multi-stem, ornamental trees.

One of the joys of outdoors is being in touch with nature. Attract wildlife to your outdoor living room by hanging up bird feeders and nesting boxes. Scatter bumblebee seed bombs to boost biodiversity.

Light it up

The finishing touch to any outside living space is lighting. A simple string of fairy lights or hanging lanterns in a tree can be an inexpensive way of adding magic to any outdoor space. If you want to light up your garden without extra electricity bills, solar-powered lighting is a no-brainer. Or go for a boho look with tea lights popped in jam jars. Outdoor lighting is important for safety reasons too. Choose built-in downlights or wall lights to illuminate garden steps. It’s essential to hire a registered electrician to install exterior lighting and electrical sockets.

Ultimately, turning your garden into an outdoors living space should be fun rather than a chore. It’s about creating a space that you and your family want to spend time in whether it’s to chill out, let little feet run free or entertain.

If you are considering improving your garden, you may find some of these services useful: