During the first lockdown back in March 2020, where only one journey outside for up to one hour was permitted as part of our daily exercise, many households felt lucky to have a garden space where they could spend longer outside, especially during the heatwave.
Once the housing market reopened in May, the real estate industry saw an increase in the demand for properties with garden space from both renters and buyers.
Whilst studio flats used to be among the most sought-after properties, post-lockdown saw a change in demand, and two-bedroom homes were now the more popular choice. This reflects the growing desire from renters and buyers for access to a garden or a bigger garden than the one they have currently.
Discover tips on maximizing your garden space’s potential in this insightful article on garden space utilization. For example, to make the most out of your g
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Interacting with friends and family
Garden spaces are one of the first places you can interact with friends and family. Following the easing of lockdown restrictions, many renters and buyers want an outdoor space so visitors can come around. To enhance your garden’s functionality and aesthetic, consider exploring pergola kits in Dallas, which can provide shade and structure to your outdoor space.
However, having a garden can provide more than just the social aspect. Information provided by charities such as Mind reveals how spending time in nature or green space can positively impact your mental and physical well-being. Simple things such as growing food or flowers in your garden and exercising outside can have positive effects, like improving your overall mood, reducing stress, and enabling you to feel more relaxed.
It is clear why those looking to move are searching for properties with outdoor space. With gardens coming in all sizes and layouts, it is important to know what is possible with the space you have available. Before starting any gardening project, decide what you want to achieve and see if the space you have available will accommodate the result you have envisioned.
Ultimately, you want to make the most out of the space in your garden.
Regardless of size, here are a few ways you can maximise the space you have.
Move On Up
When you think of adding plants to your garden, the immediate thought is flowers and shrubs at ground level. To help increase your garden space, consider training vine plants such as ivy, wisteria, and clematis to grow up instead of out. As the vine starts to grow, help it up by wrapping it gently around a fence or trellis. Slowly but surely, it will continue the path on its own.
Additionally, decorating your fence can add style and character to your garden, highlight certain plants, and make the garden feel complete. If your garden has fences surrounding it that provide shade, privacy, and protection, two types of treatments can be applied to help give it a new lease of life. Fences can be stained with watery dyes that soak into the wood to change the colour but leave the grain visible.
The other option is to use paint to brighten up your boundary fences. Paints have richer pigments that sit on the surface and act as a barrier. Either option can help give your garden a facelift and change the overall feel.
Another way to increase ground space in your garden is by investing in hanging baskets. Not only are they easier to relocate, but they are also a quick and simple way to add instant charm, warmth, and style to your back garden and front porch. Just like the vines, the hanging baskets will make your garden visually appealing at eye level.
Extending The House
If you have a relatively large garden, one that could comfortably accommodate a shed or a garden cabin, it might be worth considering investing in the ever-popular outdoor office. Many of us have worked from home, whether in a spare room or at the dining room table, over the past year.
Whilst there is no certain timeframe for when we will be able to return to offices, the number of people turning to outdoor offices has increased.
The wonderful thing about an outdoor office is its ability to separate work and home life. It helps to provide an escape, both from home and from work.
If you miss the commute to work and want to create an environment to work in, invest in an outdoor garden office. For example, the stylish garden offices from shedstore.co.uk come in a wide selection of sizes, which allows you to choose whether it is just an office or a multi-use area that the whole family can enjoy.
When we can return to the office, what once was your garden office can be transformed into a gym, an indoor seating area, or even just a place for extra storage.
Creating Dimensions
Planting a tree, a vine, or a large shrub is just one of the many ways you can add height to your garden’s overall landscape. Although you will have to wait a while for the plants to grow, having a multi-storied planted landscape helps create a more dramatic-looking garden.
Box It Up
Like hanging baskets, having flowers in containers means you can easily transport them around the garden. While it does make it easier to ensure that the plants are getting enough sunlight, it does mean that you can easily alter the overall design of your garden without much hassle.
Plants that are more notorious for plants that tend to take up more space, so placing them in containers helps free up some space, but also looks great. For instance, if you want to grow mint or lemon balm in your garden, both tend to take over a garden. By planting them in containers, the yield might not be as significant in a pot, but it does help to keep them contained.
Invite Wildlife In
Picture this – you are sitting in your newly renovated garden, surrounded by the thriving plants and flowers you have planted. There is also the sound of birds chirping around you and bees buzzing from one flower to the next. All of this can be achieved in a small garden, so you do not need a garden in the countryside or acres of land.
Adding a bird feeder to your garden can make a real difference. Many bird feeders can be small, meaning they hardly take up any room. Also, by putting fresh water out, you will notice that birds will soon be congregating around the feeding station you have created. Another way to encourage birds into your garden is by installing a bird box. Like the bird feeders, they come in a range of sizes, so a size will likely be available that will slot into your garden nicely.
Alongside welcoming birds into your garden, planting plants that are rich in nectar and pollen will attract bees, ladybirds, and other creatures to your garden, too.
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As an experienced business and finance writer I understand the corporate landscape and the driving forces behind it. Over the years I’ve shared my insight and knowledge with key industry publications and dedicated my time to showing how business leaders can make their organisations more effective.