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21 Ways to Maximise Your Outdoor Space
From adding lighting and flowers to choosing the best materials, here’s how to get the most from your garden
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It’s safe to say that updating your outside space is a no-brainer. To start with, it can have a huge impact on your home’s appearance, along with your quality of life – plus it can add to the value of your property, too. Whether you’re after an al fresco entertaining area, a peaceful spot to retreat to, or an extension of your family home where you can enjoy time together outside, you can make your space work hard for you and complement your lifestyle.
Imagine a garden full of lush plants, with winding paths so you can fully immerse yourself as you wander round. Or, an urban outdoor space full of different levels for interest, with dedicated dining and lounging areas. Maybe you’d rather a pool, with a seamless surrounding floor space and lots of room for bed chairs to laze the day away? As you can see, there are lots of reasons to maximise your garden – and we’ve got 21 tips to start you off and bring you that bit closer to having the outdoor space of your dreams…
Imagine a garden full of lush plants, with winding paths so you can fully immerse yourself as you wander round. Or, an urban outdoor space full of different levels for interest, with dedicated dining and lounging areas. Maybe you’d rather a pool, with a seamless surrounding floor space and lots of room for bed chairs to laze the day away? As you can see, there are lots of reasons to maximise your garden – and we’ve got 21 tips to start you off and bring you that bit closer to having the outdoor space of your dreams…
Pick out Pathways and Patios
1. Decide on materials. Whether you want budget-friendly concrete pavers, spill-resistant clay, or dense, durable granite, there are a huge range of options for path and patio materials. Deciding on the right material for your garden will help you create a cohesive design that you’re more likely to spend time in. For more advice on materials and other landscaping details, click here.
2. Narrow down what you need.What is it that your garden could benefit from most? Is it a patio for dining, or paths to help you navigate around your garden? Clarifying your overall aim will help you achieve a garden that you’re more likely to spend time in.
3. Add interest with a paving pattern. We’ve seen herringbone flooring take off in interiors and it looks just as stylish outside, but there’s a whole load of other patterns to choose from too. French pattern uses pavers of different sizes, while checkerboard can be created using your grass or stones in-between the paving squares. For these and more pattern inspiration, click here.
Bonus tip: try some DIY– give laying pavers a go yourself by watching this step-by-step video to laying pavers on a sand base.
1. Decide on materials. Whether you want budget-friendly concrete pavers, spill-resistant clay, or dense, durable granite, there are a huge range of options for path and patio materials. Deciding on the right material for your garden will help you create a cohesive design that you’re more likely to spend time in. For more advice on materials and other landscaping details, click here.
2. Narrow down what you need.What is it that your garden could benefit from most? Is it a patio for dining, or paths to help you navigate around your garden? Clarifying your overall aim will help you achieve a garden that you’re more likely to spend time in.
3. Add interest with a paving pattern. We’ve seen herringbone flooring take off in interiors and it looks just as stylish outside, but there’s a whole load of other patterns to choose from too. French pattern uses pavers of different sizes, while checkerboard can be created using your grass or stones in-between the paving squares. For these and more pattern inspiration, click here.
Bonus tip: try some DIY– give laying pavers a go yourself by watching this step-by-step video to laying pavers on a sand base.
It’s All In the Landscaping
4. Create an enclosed space. It’s true that gardens that balance a sense of being enclosed with the openness of the outdoors, are the ones that work best. The science behind it? The vertical edge of a space should be at least one-third the length of the horizontal space inhabited (a 3:1 ratio of distance to height is ideal). So, for example, if you have 15 feet of horizontal edge, you should aim to have a wall that is five feet high.
5. Add privacy. Even the most overlooked of gardens can find ways to keep them feel secluded, which means you’ll be more likely to use it. From building retaining walls, installing a vertical trellis or hedge, or creating ‘pockets’ with tall plants or trees, consider where you want the privacy and what material is the best to provide it.
6. Introduce the golden rectangle. This ancient design principle has been used from everything from the pyramids to the Parthenon, and helps to create an aesthetically pleasing layout. It means the ratio of the short side to the long side of your space is the sum of both sides (1:1.6) and you can use it to plan terraces, arbours, lawns and even garden beds.
7. Find a focal point. Make your design feel purposeful by drawing your gaze to a particular point in your garden. Fountains, statues or even a colourful plant will all do the trick.
8. Use fences & borders to add depth. Whether you use breeze blocks, plants, fences, stone or wood, creating these dividers adds depth, character and balance to your space.
4. Create an enclosed space. It’s true that gardens that balance a sense of being enclosed with the openness of the outdoors, are the ones that work best. The science behind it? The vertical edge of a space should be at least one-third the length of the horizontal space inhabited (a 3:1 ratio of distance to height is ideal). So, for example, if you have 15 feet of horizontal edge, you should aim to have a wall that is five feet high.
5. Add privacy. Even the most overlooked of gardens can find ways to keep them feel secluded, which means you’ll be more likely to use it. From building retaining walls, installing a vertical trellis or hedge, or creating ‘pockets’ with tall plants or trees, consider where you want the privacy and what material is the best to provide it.
6. Introduce the golden rectangle. This ancient design principle has been used from everything from the pyramids to the Parthenon, and helps to create an aesthetically pleasing layout. It means the ratio of the short side to the long side of your space is the sum of both sides (1:1.6) and you can use it to plan terraces, arbours, lawns and even garden beds.
7. Find a focal point. Make your design feel purposeful by drawing your gaze to a particular point in your garden. Fountains, statues or even a colourful plant will all do the trick.
8. Use fences & borders to add depth. Whether you use breeze blocks, plants, fences, stone or wood, creating these dividers adds depth, character and balance to your space.
Make an Entrance
9. Improve your driveway. Off-road parking makes a property more desirable from both an aesthetic and practical point of view. It’s also your way of making a great first impression, so choosing the right materials and ensuring they are durable is an important factor. Regular pressed concrete pavers are typically cheaper than engineered or natural stone, won’t crack over time and are easy to replace, while stone offers more of the wow factor and comes in a variety of colours and finishes. Then, there’s clay, which is ideal for sloped driveways as it’s durable and hardwearing – plus its brick shape can be laid in lots of different patterns.
Bonus tip: Prevent cracks by choosing concrete, clay or stone paving over poured concrete. Permeable paving materials can help with minimising water run-off.
10. Boost your kerb appeal. Whether you’re looking to sell your home or simply want to create an outdoors that you’ll want to spend time in, boosting the front of your home’s exterior appearance is just as important as the interior. Make the most of your veranda or front garden space with planters and a fresh lick of paint for the front door. If the space is large enough, why not squeeze in an extra seating area, too?
Look at Lighting
11. Keep your garden well lit. Lighting isn’t purely decorative – it can be used to prolong the time you spend in your garden as well as adding a safety aspect (ie highlighting steps or levels to step up and down to), so look at what needs highlighting and where.
12. Add atmosphere. Whether it’s stake lights to highlight a border or pathway, uplighters to showcase a tree or plants, or sparkly string lights on a decking area, create an ambience that helps you enjoy your garden every time you use it.
9. Improve your driveway. Off-road parking makes a property more desirable from both an aesthetic and practical point of view. It’s also your way of making a great first impression, so choosing the right materials and ensuring they are durable is an important factor. Regular pressed concrete pavers are typically cheaper than engineered or natural stone, won’t crack over time and are easy to replace, while stone offers more of the wow factor and comes in a variety of colours and finishes. Then, there’s clay, which is ideal for sloped driveways as it’s durable and hardwearing – plus its brick shape can be laid in lots of different patterns.
Bonus tip: Prevent cracks by choosing concrete, clay or stone paving over poured concrete. Permeable paving materials can help with minimising water run-off.
10. Boost your kerb appeal. Whether you’re looking to sell your home or simply want to create an outdoors that you’ll want to spend time in, boosting the front of your home’s exterior appearance is just as important as the interior. Make the most of your veranda or front garden space with planters and a fresh lick of paint for the front door. If the space is large enough, why not squeeze in an extra seating area, too?
Look at Lighting
11. Keep your garden well lit. Lighting isn’t purely decorative – it can be used to prolong the time you spend in your garden as well as adding a safety aspect (ie highlighting steps or levels to step up and down to), so look at what needs highlighting and where.
12. Add atmosphere. Whether it’s stake lights to highlight a border or pathway, uplighters to showcase a tree or plants, or sparkly string lights on a decking area, create an ambience that helps you enjoy your garden every time you use it.
Perfect Your Pool Area
13. Choose practical flooring. From continual foot traffic to outdoor furniture being moved around to face (or hide from) the sun, along with salt, chlorine and other chemicals, there’s a lot of elements a pool area needs to withstand. Not only that, it needs to be slip-resistant and pleasant to stand on bare foot. Natural and engineered stone are obvious choices as both are hardwearing and keep water out, while porcelain is fade-, slip-, mould-, frost- and salt-resistant. Then there’s granite, which is non-slip but will need sealing once a year, and clay, which won’t face in the sun and comes in a variety of rich colours. Find out more info on the different materials to use here.
14. Maximise longevity. Incorporate loungers, a seating space for entertaining, and even an outdoor bar or cooking area, so you don’t have to move far to whip up some dinner or drinks. And don’t forget umbrellas for when the sun is scorching!
13. Choose practical flooring. From continual foot traffic to outdoor furniture being moved around to face (or hide from) the sun, along with salt, chlorine and other chemicals, there’s a lot of elements a pool area needs to withstand. Not only that, it needs to be slip-resistant and pleasant to stand on bare foot. Natural and engineered stone are obvious choices as both are hardwearing and keep water out, while porcelain is fade-, slip-, mould-, frost- and salt-resistant. Then there’s granite, which is non-slip but will need sealing once a year, and clay, which won’t face in the sun and comes in a variety of rich colours. Find out more info on the different materials to use here.
14. Maximise longevity. Incorporate loungers, a seating space for entertaining, and even an outdoor bar or cooking area, so you don’t have to move far to whip up some dinner or drinks. And don’t forget umbrellas for when the sun is scorching!
Gain a Garden Bed
15. Add levels and interest. Having a garden that’s a joy to be in, with different zones and flower beds, means you will use it all the more. Choose a style to suit your space, whether it’s a curvy low wall to contain beautiful flowers in a country-style property, or a more contemporary finish with architectural plants. You can find out more about adding garden beds and varying levels here.
16. Section your garden into zones.
Want to make the most of every inch of space? Then divide your garden into varying zones. You could even have a go at building a retaining wall, by watching this step-by-step guide.
17. Plant beautiful flowers. Plants and flowers can turn a narrow or boring rectangular space into a colourful haven – plus they can hide any ugly areas. Choose varieties that you can enjoy all year round.
Bonus tip: Take the microclimate of your area into account and select plants which like these conditions to help them thrive.
15. Add levels and interest. Having a garden that’s a joy to be in, with different zones and flower beds, means you will use it all the more. Choose a style to suit your space, whether it’s a curvy low wall to contain beautiful flowers in a country-style property, or a more contemporary finish with architectural plants. You can find out more about adding garden beds and varying levels here.
16. Section your garden into zones.
Want to make the most of every inch of space? Then divide your garden into varying zones. You could even have a go at building a retaining wall, by watching this step-by-step guide.
17. Plant beautiful flowers. Plants and flowers can turn a narrow or boring rectangular space into a colourful haven – plus they can hide any ugly areas. Choose varieties that you can enjoy all year round.
Bonus tip: Take the microclimate of your area into account and select plants which like these conditions to help them thrive.
Add in Accessories
18. Bring your living room outside. Use cushions, rugs, throws, and even an outdoor mirror to create an inviting space to enjoy year-round and provide a link from inside to out.
19. Choose multifunctional furniture. If you want your outdoor space to be suitable for all occasions, then consider buying versatile furniture. For example, dining sets that come with a sofa, which can be moved away from the table should you wish, for relaxing on. There’s also stools or benches with removable tops for storage, or loungers with wheels that you move to different areas as you need them.
20. Add a canopy. A retractable sun canopy is a flexible solution for when the weather is cooler and you’re in need of some shelter, but still want to stay outside. Pick one with a weather sensor – they are more expensive but will automatically retract if it gets too windy, so they don’t get damaged.
18. Bring your living room outside. Use cushions, rugs, throws, and even an outdoor mirror to create an inviting space to enjoy year-round and provide a link from inside to out.
19. Choose multifunctional furniture. If you want your outdoor space to be suitable for all occasions, then consider buying versatile furniture. For example, dining sets that come with a sofa, which can be moved away from the table should you wish, for relaxing on. There’s also stools or benches with removable tops for storage, or loungers with wheels that you move to different areas as you need them.
20. Add a canopy. A retractable sun canopy is a flexible solution for when the weather is cooler and you’re in need of some shelter, but still want to stay outside. Pick one with a weather sensor – they are more expensive but will automatically retract if it gets too windy, so they don’t get damaged.
Enjoy it All Year Round
21. Turn up the heat. Want to enjoy your outdoor space even in the cooler months? Then outdoor heaters and fire pits are a great investment and a great way to help maximise your space.
More: For more ways to landscape your garden, look to Brickworks Building Products, one of the world’s largest and most diverse building material manufacturers – simply click here to find out more.
Tell us: What elements would your dream garden have?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
21. Turn up the heat. Want to enjoy your outdoor space even in the cooler months? Then outdoor heaters and fire pits are a great investment and a great way to help maximise your space.
More: For more ways to landscape your garden, look to Brickworks Building Products, one of the world’s largest and most diverse building material manufacturers – simply click here to find out more.
Tell us: What elements would your dream garden have?
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Brickworks Building Products is one of Australia’s largest and most diverse building material manufacturers.... Read More
Brickworks Building Products is one of Australia’s largest and most diverse building material manufacturers.... Read More
Thanks for the practical tips with maths.Great work