How To Create The Perfect Outdoor Space To Relax In

Summer is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy spending time in the backyard, but it can sometimes take a bit of work to get your outdoor space looking the best it can. We’ve put together some tips for creating the perfect outdoor space to relax in.

Tidy up your outdoor space

Is your garden a bit overgrown and neglected? Spend some time having a good clear-out.

• Sweep any patio or decking areas and give them a clean if they need it — or think about replacing the decking if it’s looking a bit worn.
• Remove dead leaves or debris from the flower beds and pull up any weeds.
• Mow the lawn and reseed any dying patches.

This will make your outdoor space look a lot better, and you won’t feel like you’ve got a long list of work you need to do in the garden every time you’re out there.

Invest in some garden furniture

Choosing the right garden furniture for your space is key to making it relaxing. If you’ve only got a small space then don’t try to cram too much in as it’ll make it feel even smaller. Choose foldaway seats or some outdoor beanbags and cushions that are easy to move about or tidy away. This way you can choose to have just one seat when you’re relaxing on your own without other garden furniture filling the garden.

In slightly bigger gardens, create a dedicated area that you can relax in. You could use a pergola to section off your seating and provide some shade. Take a look at these pergola ideas for some inspiration. Choose the perfect structure and you can create a little corner of your garden to escape from the world and unwind in. Alternatively, add some paneling or trellises in planters with climbing plants to divide up the space.

Make sure whatever seating and garden furniture you choose that you’ve got plenty of cushions and throws so that you can get comfortable.

Prepare and plant the flower beds

Your flower beds will probably look a bit bare once you’ve tidied them up and got rid of the weeds. Fill them with lots of bright plants to add some life and color to your outdoor space.

If you find that you struggle to keep plants alive in your garden then you might need to spend some time improving the soil. One common issue is clay soil, but there are plenty of easy to follow guides on how to amend the soil. For example, try following this guidance to amend your soil and you should be able to grow healthy plants that thrive in your garden.   

Choose plants with strong scents to make your garden more relaxing. Lilies, jasmine, hellebores, and gardenias all have big flowers and give a fragrance to fill your outdoor space. And if you have a backyard that’s mostly concrete or patio, then add some tall plants in containers to make the space feel more green and relaxing.

Illuminate your outdoor space

Add some lighting to your garden so that you can enjoy it into the evening. Take a look at this guide to garden lighting for some tips, but in general opt for warm, low lighting that creates a cozy atmosphere. And choose solar-powered so that you don’t have to worry about connecting it up indoors.

String or festoon lighting is perfect for lighting up the perimeter of your space and use some lanterns or candles around your seating area to make it a little brighter. You could add a firepit as well to provide some warmth on cooler nights.

Follow these tips and with a little bit of work your garden will be the perfect outdoor space to unwind and relax in all summer.

About The Author: Laura May is Digital Editor at Just Another Magazine. We write about beauty, fashion, lifestyle, relationships, travel, trends and anything else that matters to you. Name throwing you off? Don’t take it too seriously — we intend to stand out from the crowd.

Photo by Pixabay from Pexels