Create a sanctuary for relaxing and entertaining with these beautiful garden additions

Create a sanctuary for relaxing and entertaining with these beautiful ideas Feature Holly Reaney

Coming up roses

A favourite of the English garden, roses not only fill the space with colour and scent but, when trained up an arch, also add architectural interest. Place an arch over a path to create a botanical link between two areas, or position over a bench for a floral oasis. Climb a fragranced variety, like the myrrh-scented Wollerton Old Hall, from £19.50 at David Austin, for a feature that will delight the senses.

Step outside

A path is an excellent way to give your garden structure, guiding visitors through the space, while also protecting grass and flowers from traipsing feet. When laying, be sure to follow the most-walked route and avoid creating sharp corners, as these will usually be cut off on foot. Create a less regimented look by adding in additional meanders and curves.

Natural beauty

We all need to do more to encourage wildlife into our gardens and one of the most efficient ways to achieve this is to create a wildflower meadow. You don’t need a huge amount of space – a small corner of lawn or even a pot can make a difference. Plus, with seed mixes available for all soil types, it will be the easiest garden job of the year.

Surface style

Create a versatile, low-maintenance space that is perfect for entertaining with a patio. Opt for natural materials, such as Ca’pietra’s Farley seasoned limestone flags, from £59.94 per m2, which will blend seamlessly into the garden, then pair with a wooden table and chairs for the perfect alfresco dining experience.

Take shelter

A storage space is vital for keeping the garden tidy, but a tired shed or outbuilding doesn’t have to be an eye-sore. Just giving it a lick of paint - Little Greene’s Goblin, £73.50 for

2.5 ltrs of Intelligent exterior eggshell, is an excellent garden shade – can give the whole area a facelift. Pair with a vignette of terracotta pots and vintage gardenalia for added cottage charm.

Room with a view

A flexible addition to the garden, a shepherd’s hut can be whatever you need it to be. Originally designed to be a home-fromhome for shepherds during the lambing season, today they are more popularly used in the garden to provide additional space without the hassle of extending. Whether you work from home and need a peaceful office or want to create an extra bedroom for guests, a shepherd’s hut is a beautiful and practical choice for a garden room. This Turnkey hut costs from £38,000 at Blackdown Shepherd’s Huts.

On reflection

Although a relatively small and inexpensive addition to the garden, a mirror can transform the space by flooding shady corners with sunlight. Pick a design shaped like a window, such as the outdoor chapel mirror, £169 from Primrose & Plum, to create the illusion of hidden rooms, giving your garden a magical air.

The swing of it

Designing a garden full of character is undeniably hard work, so make sure you take the time to enjoy it. This Kyokusen Fsc-certified oak swing-seat, from £4,379 at Sitting Spiritually, is the perfect place to kick back and relax, gently swinging while you enjoy your botanical oasis.

Raise the stakes

Whether you are growing beautiful flowers or prizewinning vegetables, raised beds let you curate all elements of the growing conditions, from soil quality and spacing to watering and feeding, thus increasing your yields and productivity. Prices for pre-made wooden raised bed frames start at

£25 from Harrod Horticultural.

Historic style

Once the preserve of aristocrats, follies are the epitome of architectural intrigue. Adding a majestic focal point to the garden, a heritageinspired design, such as Redwood Stone’s Secret Tracery, £3,425, features gothic windows and faux door, giving the garden the illusion of history and a touch of whimsy.

Turn up the heat

Even the warmest days can bring with them cool evenings, especially in the UK. So as the sun sets, light up the fire to keep the party going into the night. Designed to mimic the look of a traditional wood-burner, Gardenesque’s Wakehurst fireplace, £399, is a great addition to a period garden. Constructed from durable steel with an aged patina, it provides a cosy atmosphere all year round.

Tread the boards

Regardless of your garden’s size, decking is a low-maintenance way to reinvent your space. Weathered boards offer timeless charm and imbue the space with warmth. Pair with potted plants and bistro furniture for a cosy alfresco dining space.

Mending fences

Consider wildlife when choosing your garden boundaries. Hedges are an eco-friendly choice that suit a cottage-style garden. Opt for plants like hawthorn and box and you’ll see them buzzing with wildlife come spring. However, hedges can be expensive to plant and will require maintenance. Wooden fences offer another natural choice. These woven softwood panels cost £112.32 for H152xw183cm at Jacksons Fencing, and are designed to look good on both sides. Jacksons also offers the option of adding a hedgehog-friendly baseboard, £16.75, with a small hole to let the creatures pass through easily.

Say it with flowers

Give your blooms the space to shine with a plant theatre. Adding height to your garden, it creates a striking yet compact focal point that draws the eye and adds interest. For a similar wooden ladder stand, try Garden Trading, or for a more ornate metal design try Sarah Raven.

Mindful space

There is something inherently relaxing about the sound of water, quietly bubbling, creating a soothing backdrop against the birdsong. A water feature like this Portland stone Romanesque fountain, £499 from Haddonstone, provides auditory and visual interest as well as a spot for visiting birds to bathe and drink.

Leading light

Practical additions can also be beautiful. Handcrafted from brass, this elegant Granary wall light, £320 from

Jim Lawrence, features a traditional swan-neck arm to add period charm as well as light to your home’s exterior.