Looking to host some fun evenings in the garden this summer but feel your outdoor space isn’t quite ready for it? You’re not alone, and summer really can shine a light on areas of the garden that require improvement. Whatever the state of your garden may be, always begin with a complete clean-up, getting rid of debris and dead plants or flowers, giving you a blank canvas on which to start. Once that’s done, let’s look at some ideas that can transform the space and make it attractive to host fun gatherings in the evenings this summer.
Raise Your Shed Game
Over the years, sheds have become far more than storage space in backyards and gardens and are often built in such a way as to create ambient and fun living spaces. Regarding creativity, the world is your oyster when taking on a shed-building project. You could opt for a bar design complete with pumps and stools, a sports shed with widescreen TV and surround sound, or the perfect she shed with fresh plants, pastel colors, and beautiful interior furniture. However, you build this outhouse, it will be a focal point during those sunset gatherings.
Outdoor Furniture
If not correctly cared for, outdoor furniture can show signs of wear and tear and damage caused by the elements in a very short time. Most of us throw a cover over the seats and tables at the end of summer, assuming they’ll weather the challenges that autumn and winter bring, which may not always be true. As soon as the weather is dry, take the cover off and check the status of the furniture. You may need to give wooden items a touch-up with varnish or paint or carry out repairs. Nobody wants to enjoy a summer evening sitting on patched-up, old furniture, so be sure to repair, repaint, or replace entirely to make your guests feel more comfortable and relaxed.
Light Up The Night
Introducing lighting to the garden area can be done at a low cost, and it will make a positive change to this space that makes it more inviting. Here you should avoid investing in lighting that doesn’t provide much illumination; fairy lights could add a lovely aesthetic around the garden’s edges, but they won’t help you find your drink. Combine bright, bold lights with smaller light chains to set the mood for your summer gathering.
Connecting Up
Increasingly more homeowners have taken steps to bring electricity to the outdoor space. This negates the need for tens of meters of extension cables and means you can hook up this area to various gadgets. Once you install power points outside, you can easily bring music to the space, perhaps even a projector, for outdoor cinema fun. Installing sockets outside can be a bit of work, so be sure to plan with this for full garden connectivity.
Fire Pit
If you have the space for it, a fire pit is an excellent addition to any outdoor area and one that guests will love. Fires not only encourage people to gather around, but they are also great for keeping insects away and, of course, will keep you warm once the temperature falls. This kind of installation can be as ornate or as basic as you wish; it depends on your space and how much you want to invest. A basic pit, for example, can be created using nothing more than a chiminea and some sliced log seating with cushions, a lovely place to spend a summer’s eve.
These are some ideas that you could look into that will help you transform your garden. Whether you build a pagoda, a shed, create a new decked area, or any other idea on this list, those tweaks and installations will enhance the garden and encourage your guests to spend more of their summer with you.