A recent survey claims we are increasingly using our gardens as an outdoor ‘room’ – an extra space to relax or entertain.
So, are you making the most of your outdoor space? If you’re in need of inspiration check out our top ten favourite garden trends from 2016.
Organic Lines and Curved Shapes
Rustic Textures
Vertical Gardening
Outdoor Seating
Low Maintenance Gardens
Edible Planting
Gardens as Outdoor Rooms
Outdoor Lighting
Bright Feature Colours
Minimalism
Organic Lines and Curved Shapes
- Flowing paths, smooth rounded sculptures, circular water features.
- Combine polished textures with rougher surfaces for contrast.
- Incorporate flowing water to enhance the organic aspect.
Rustic Textures
- Stone statuettes and planters, metal garden furniture, decorative pots and containers.
- Use wood, stone, wicker, metal – anything with an interesting grain, texture or patina.
- Try different wood paint effects – whitewash, crackle paint, muted colour tones.
Vertical Gardening
- This trend has been around for a while but it’s popularity means products are now more widely available.
- Planting containers are fixed to walls and fences, choose plants which will drape and flow downwards.
- Another variation is green walls which are supported independently and can be used as screens or walls to segment larger areas.
Outdoor Seating
- Garden furniture is no longer limited to a basic table and chairs on the patio; a huge variety of seating is available.
- Think about whether you will be hosting large gatherings or if it will be mostly just you and the family?
- Consider garden sofas, sunken seating areas, garden beds, hammocks, hanging egg/pod chairs – do you want something classic and stylish, or bright and fun?
Low Maintenance Gardens
- Popular flooring options include patios, gravel, decking and of course, artificial grass!
- Raised planters allow you to introduce colourful plants but keep maintenance low, and are especially practical if you have limited mobility.
- You could also add decorative sculptural elements for more interest.
Edible Planting
- Grow your own is still very popular, with a huge variety of starter kits available.
- Try fruits, vegetables, herbs and salad leaves. Not sure about starting from seed, buy ready potted plants.
- If you are short on space outdoors, you can always grow in window containers or indoor pots.
Gardens as Outdoor Rooms
- There is a growing demand for more useable space at home, and people are increasingly looking to their gardens to provide it.
- Hugely popular for outdoor spaces are fire pits, providing warmth to counteract the Great British weather, and a focal point for garden design.
- However, purpose built outbuildings are also becoming more common, options include home office, studio, gym, treatment room, games room, hobby room, teen escape, almost anything in-fact!
Outdoor Lighting
- Effective lighting makes a big impact on the atmosphere of your garden.
- Options include solar-powered, electric, and battery powered.
- Consider the ambience you want to create – bright, fun and colourful, or sophisticated, calm and relaxed.
Bright Feature Colours
- An easy garden update is painting a key feature or element.
- Consider painting the shed, a wall, a section of fencing, or an outbuilding.
- Bright contrast colours are very popular at the moment, but if you prefer you could choose a subtler tone.
Minimalism
- Sleek designs, uncluttered space, modern textures and design.
- Choose a monochrome colour scheme – neutral tones, soft whites and darker greys.
- Combine smooth stone surfaces with wood and rattan textures.
