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Dreaming of summer?

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Dreaming of summer? As the evenings get longer and the days get warmer it’s time to head outside and get your garden ready for lazy days ahead. Whatever the size of your garden, even if it’s a small patio or roof terrace, a transformation is almost instantly possible even if you’re getting your property ready to sell or are renting a property and don’t want anything too permanent. There’s something to suit every budget so give some serious thought to what you can do to make your garden a real haven for relaxing or entertaining?

Use the next few months to get planting and pruning sorted so that by summer you can relax and enjoy your garden. The Royal Horticultural Society has great advice for jobs to do each month and advice on planting for minimum maintenance and maximum enjoyment with fragrance and colour for impact. Chelsea Flower Show always creates a buzz in the world of garden design, with inspirational ideas to recreate at home, and the 2017 show in May will be no exception.

You don’t need a large garden to create an exotic area for entertaining. Clever use of lighting allows you to make the most of long summer evenings and transform your garden into a stunning space you can use long after dark. You can create an area for eating al fresco on warm nights with smart all-weather furniture, dining table and chairs and a barbecue set up downwind of the house. Set the mood with candles in wind-resistant lanterns - perfect for dinner parties with friends or candlelit dinner for two. A fire pit can create a dramatic focal point for evenings spent outdoors as well as providing an alternative cooking option.

With the addition of furniture, your garden becomes an outdoor room providing extra living space, weather permitting. There's a huge choice available to suit most budgets but it’s vital to choose a style that complements your garden, whether blending into the background or becoming a focal point.

Garden lighting adds a further dimension to your garden when the sun goes down. Combine a mix of outdoor lanterns, low voltage and solar lights to make your garden a magical place after dark. Add fountains, fireplaces, and fire pits to enhance the beauty and functionality of your outdoor room and don’t forget a few soft wraps and cushions for comfort. Last but not least, if the weather changes suddenly, a pop-up gazebo offers perfect protection in case of a downpour.

Create an oasis of calm with your own secret garden away from the house to get away from it all. On lazy summer days you can’t beat lounging in a hammock in a shady spot. Absorb the relaxing aromatherapy benefits of fragrant plants such as lavender, rosemary or traditional favourites like honeysuckle and roses. Exotic plants, Moroccan lanterns and bright fabrics will create a tropical feel to last all summer long whilst a water feature or trickling fountain adds a serene atmosphere.

However you decide to transform your garden, it’s important to choose something that you and your family will enjoy after all your effort. And whilst garden improvements may add the all-important “Wow” factor and make your property appealing to more buyers or tenants, they may not actually add to the value of your home, so it’s worth checking before you invest significant money.

For a free, no obligation appraisal of your home and how garden ideas could make a difference to the market value, contact your local Frost Partnership office. Then put your feet up, relax and dream of long, summer days ahead.