How to maximise your garden’s potential

With the weather beginning to warm it won’t be long before we are all thinking of long relaxed evenings in the garden with our nearest and dearest. Although much of our work at All Done Design is focused on our clients’ houses, we always encourage them to consider maximising their garden’s potential at the same time. In this blog, our Managing Director, Charlie Avara, has shared her top tips for creating your dream garden.

“In the same way that walls and furniture create structure in our homes, plants act as the core of the garden. From creating a lush tropical oasis to a mediterranean terrace or a picturesque country garden, the use of plants will give your garden an identity and feel. Whilst statement plants do not come cheap, we would encourage you to see them as an investment. The right plants in the right place will last for years and give your garden impact for years to come. When we got married my husband and I used our wedding gift vouchers to purchase plants – which reminds us regularly of our special day and have provided years of enjoyment.

Another key consideration for the garden should be lighting. In the same way that it can be used as a statement internally it can really help to give the garden its wow-factor. Not only this but in the evenings a cleverly lit garden will make your home feel bigger. Rather than seeing dark nothing-ness through the windows, a thoughtfully lit garden will extend the house and provide an enjoyable view even when the sun goes down.

Connection between the house and garden and creating flow between the two areas can also add to the space. A top tip for achieving this is to choose a flooring option that allows you to create an inside-outside patio. By doing this, it is possible to create an interior that flows seamlessly into the exterior. This will not only make both the interior and exterior spaces feel larger, it will connect the areas and give a cohesive feel, helping your interior style spill into the garden.

To ensure that these tips give you maximum benefit I always encourage clients to consider their garden plans as part of the main renovations. This not only allows for practical considerations, such as putting in the services for lighting. But considering garen style, seating and levels can save remodeling the garden at a later stage and ensure that the garden styling is in keeping with the rest of the property.”