Top 6 Overlooked Garden Solutions For Better Design
Renovating your garden can be a big task, with a lot of large installations and construction methods needed to achieve your desired results. Although these are certainly the main areas of concern when designing a new outdoor space, they are not the only ones that matter.
There are many smaller methods to achieving your ideal outdoor space that often get overlooked. These are commonly smarter and more effective at maintaining long-term effects compared to our main areas of concern, yet can easily get lost in the bigger picture.
As a premier landscaping company, Beautiful Spaces appreciates that every single detail plays a role in creating stunning gardens. Over the years, we have seen the incredible difference that small, smart solutions can make to an outdoor space and want to offer the same to you.
In this post, we are sharing the most overlooked garden solutions that can lead to better design and functionality in your outdoor space.
1) Smart Storage For Cluttered Gardens
A common issue for most homeowners is a lack of storage in the garden. Whether you have an abundance of gardening tools, kids’ toys, equipment, or accessories, there will come a time when you need to put everything away and struggle to find the right space.
Even the smallest gardens can have more than enough storage through careful design ideas, such as bench storage and small sheds. If you do not want to invest in a garden shed or traditional storage space like this, whether for design or space reasons, a bench and seating can be a great alternative.
These storage bins double up as seating, allowing you to put everything away neatly without reducing functional space. Keeping the garden free of clutter not only ensures it is safe, but also protects your items from weather damage and reduces the overwhelm that too many items can cause on the garden design.
2) Garden Zoning For Misused Spaces
Creating a garden you’ll love means combining both beauty and functionality. In your bid to create a beautiful outdoor environment, you may not be making the best use of every corner available. It is easy to get caught up in the bigger picture and how the garden looks as a whole, but this can lead to misused areas and a lack of flow.
This is why zoning is one of the most effective, overlooked garden solutions and a great way to improve your garden design. No matter the size or shape of your landscape, zoning allows you to maximise all corners of the available environment and create plenty of space for relaxing, entertaining, or playing.
It is a good idea to consider what you want to use your garden for ahead of time, as this will make it easier to prioritise garden zones. Using a combination of hardscaping, such as patios and decking, alongside planting and turfing, you can create separate areas for all kinds of outdoor activities.
With complementary colours and materials, you are not only creating a beautiful outdoor space, but a functional one too. The multiple surfaces and contrasting shades will add depth to the garden, making it more appealing overall.
3) Vertical Elements For Small Landscapes
Those with small gardens or limited ground space may struggle to add colour and seasonal interest and feel as though their design is uninspiring.
Plants and flowers are a wonderful decorative tool for gardens and can change with the seasons to keep the environment interesting; however, without sufficient space to plant them, you may not feel like this is available to you. This is where vertical planting comes in, and this is one of the overlooked garden solutions that can add height and interest to the garden.
Using climbing flowers, tall grasses and shrubs will draw the eyes upwards and open up a whole new world of possibilities in your landscape. Plants can be trained to grow against or over fences, trellises and pergolas, so you have more space to play with.
Another great way to add height to the garden is through garden structures, such as water features, sculptures or even shelving. Whether against existing structures, like fences, sheds or the side of your property, or as a focal point, tall elements give the illusion of more space in the garden. This allows you to add more decoration and colour without cluttering the design.
These overlooked garden solutions are particularly beneficial for small gardens, but can be used in any landscape to add height and interest.
4) Low-Maintenance Planting For Easy Gardening
Gardening can be overwhelming for those who do not have time or the skills to maintain it.
As the seasons change, so does your landscape, and you may find that it takes a lot more care than before to keep it looking its best. This is what causes many to struggle with their garden and suffer from poor design, despite their best efforts.
This is why low-maintenance plants, such as native or drought-resistant species, are a great solution for your garden. This is one of the most simple, yet often overlooked garden solutions because it requires us to think outside of the box. Instead of using the same plants and flowers you always have, consider drought-resistant species such as lavender, coneflower, and giant hyssop to make the gardening process easier.
These plants thrive in full sunlight and require little to no watering. Once established, these plants can continue to add colour, texture and scent to your landscape without any interference from you. Without the need for constant watering and fertilising, you have more time to enjoy your garden and do not have to worry about the beauty fading over time.
5) Garden Lighting Design For Limited Daylight Hours
Once you have designed your ideal outdoor space, you do not want to be limited on how much time you can spend in it. Despite the effective and simple ways you can overcome this issue, garden lighting remains one of the most overlooked garden solutions.
There are a lot of options out there for garden lighting, and this can be overwhelming for many people, causing them to ignore the whole service altogether. However, this could be reducing the amount of time you can have in your garden, as well as hindering the visual appeal and safety of the space.
Garden lighting is both a practical and aesthetic tool that can be customised to suit any outdoor space. To keep the landscape usable and attractive well into the evening, consider warm lighting such as LED lanterns, twinkle lights and even tea lights – as long as you do not leave open flames unattended. A safer alternative is fire-effect lights and candles, which can provide the same warm glow without the concern.
Opting for solar-powered lights is not only a sustainable practice but also reduces the maintenance and planning needed to keep your garden illuminated. These lights will automatically turn on when the sun goes down, so you can continue enjoying the festivities without interruption.
6) Permeable Paving For Rainwater Management
With the Great British Weather, rainwater management is an essential part of landscaping, yet is commonly overlooked. When renovating your garden, you may be more concerned with how the space looks in the moment, and forget that it needs to last and withstand the ever-changing climate.
This is why permeable paving is such a great solution and offers long-term benefits. Permeable paving, such as resin and gravel, allows for better drainage, preventing flooding and standing water. If you struggle with soggy grass, permeable paving can also reduce this based on placement and design. Alternatively, you may want to consider artificial grass.
When working with a professional paving installer, drainage can be included, meaning that no matter what you choose for your garden, flooding does not have to be an issue. Based on your location and the shape of your landscape, paving and drainage can be installed to combat rainwater flooding and keep the space in prime condition all year long.
Conclusion
There is a lot involved with garden design, which is why some of the smaller details may become overlooked. While they may seem like smaller issues on the surface, solutions such as vertical planting, garden lighting, and permeable paving can provide long-term benefits to your outdoor space and keep it looking good for longer.
Working with professional garden designers, such as Beautiful Spaces, ensures that no detail goes unnoticed. We understand what the most common overlooked garden solutions are and incorporate these to complement all outdoor spaces, so we can guarantee permanent transformations.
Contact Us Today
Ready to transform your garden? Reach out to the team today to request a consultation or to learn more about how we can help.
