Enhancing your outdoor space brings myriad benefits. You add to the value of your property while creating an open-air sanctuary for your household. And as the weather (hopefully) starts to warm up, you may well find yourself looking forward to spending more time outdoors, especially if your work is home-based.
So now is the ideal time to look ahead to sunnier days and create your ideal al fresco space that brings you and others pleasure each time you step into it. The good news is that not all improvement ideas have to be high-maintenance. You can keep planting simple, for example, and select plants with complementary colours and textures which you can leave and enjoy all year round.
Here are some other ideas:
Give it an edge
Give your lawn (if you have one) some permanent edging, in the form of bricks, paving or small-sized gravel, placed at a slightly lower level than the turf. That saves trimming time when you mow the grass.
Go Wild
Embrace the natural world with all its quirks as part of having a low-maintenance backyard. A single weed or a leaf out of place won’t do any harm – and you could decide to give over a part of your outdoor space completely to wilderness, which can be surprisingly satisfying!
Save on watering and weeding by mulching
Use a material such as bark chippings or gravel on any bare soil between your plants. This will save reduce weed growth and water evaporation.
Go big on pots
Generally speaking, larger pots are easier to tend than smaller ones, which tend to dry out more quickly and so need more watering. Pots are also ideal for urban gardens, or you could choose raised planters instead.
Choose teak garden furniture
If you want to enjoy being outside during the warmer months, you’ll need some decent furniture, especially if you’re planning on open-air dining or entertaining. With the right pieces, you’ll be better placed to relax, read, enjoy some quality family time or work outdoors if you wish.
Teak is the ideal low-maintenance solution, since its astounding longevity means it rarely, if ever, needs replacing – it’s a strong hardwood that can last for decades. It requires no staining, sealing or painting, just an occasional clean with soap and water. What’s more, it shrugs off the worst of the weather, there’s no splitting, warping and rotting and you can leave it outside all year round. Natural oils also protect this gorgeous-looking timber from pests, mould and mildew.
Teak complements any garden setting, whether you go for outdoor dining chairs or other items. And, if anything, its appearance just gets better over time. You don’t have to do anything as it colour gradually changes from a warm golden-brown to a silvery grey patina.
Consider an outdoor gym
You may not have previously thought about this for your property. But it could well be worth researching outdoor gym suppliers and weighing up the benefits of installing some pieces, whether you’re a home or business.
You’ll then have the chance to enjoy an on-site or at-home full-body workout whenever you wish, without having to shell out for the sometimes hefty joining fees of indoor gyms. What’s more, the benefits of exercising while in the fresh air are well documented – plus you’ll create a focal point for the space and added interest for any visitors.
Finally, once again these pieces require little to nothing in the way of regular maintenance and upkeep.
