Seven ways to revamp your plot
1Think about marking out separate zones for dining, lounging or playing. Tony Woods of Garden Club London suggests setting one or more trellis or laser-cut panels half way across the width of the garden to create ‘rooms’ and using different types of flooring in each. ‘Non-slip ceramic tiles or Millboard’s non-slip decking make great hard-wearing surfaces for the dining and lounge area. Throw an outdoor rug over grass or paving to make a soft play zone for small children,’ he adds.
2Measure your furniture to ensure it fits its allocated area, and consider space-saving designs. Tom Holt of Bau Outdoors says, ‘In small gardens, opt for benches that tuck neatly under a table and can seat more people than traditional chairs. Look out for tables with extension leaves, such as those in our Antibes and Reclaimed ranges. Bistro sets that can be folded away are a good solution for courtyards and balconies.’
3Creating a kitchen-dining area close to the house works well if you have level access between inside and outside. ‘If you want your cooking area further away, include a fridge and sink to save toing and froing,’ advises garden designer Emma Griffin. She also recommends a non-porous, grease-resistant material, such as sealed granite, for outdoor kitchen worktops.
4Think about the practicalities, such as an outdoor electrical supply with carefully positioned outlets that will allow you to plug in a smart speaker, laptop, fridge and lights away from the house. Employ a registered electrician and ask for waterproof sockets with USP ports for easy plug-ins.
5Paint walls and fences to add a splash of colour. Farrow & Ball’s international brand ambassador, Patrick O’donnell, suggests using ‘dark colours, such as Scotch Blue, on walls to act as a backdrop to planting, and a vibrant splash on benches; Dutch Orange makes an exciting visual contrast.’ The light is stronger outdoors so colours need to be bolder than when used inside.
6Make your space more secluded with strategic planting and structures. Garden designer Rosemary Coldstream says, ‘Plant a tree on a boundary to shield overlooking windows, or use shrubs in pots to screen a seating area. Alternatively, install a pergola over an outdoor dining or sitting space and grow climbing plants to create a shady private enclosure.’
7LED lights integrated into decking, paving and steps offer illumination at the flick of a switch or tap of your phone, and adding festoon lights will really pump up the atmosphere. Jo Naughton, co-founder of Lights4fun, recommends a canopy of white fairy lights over a table or seating area. ‘Solar f lower stakes in pots introduce a fun element too,’ she says. Use wireless lamps charged up via a USB socket, such as the Balad range by Fermob, to add pools of light where needed.