Start With A Vision
All art has to start with some kind of vision, so before you pick up any tools or do any work, take some time to think about what you would like your garden to look and feel like. Do you want a tranquil haven filled with soft colors and calming elements like water features? Or perhaps you like the bigger, brighter, bolder hues to spark some ideas. Whatever it is, this is your chance to include it all.
Think about how you’ll use the space as well, and exactly what your creativity is - maybe you need a space to sketch or paint, for example, or perhaps you’re a writer so you’ll want a shady spot to use a laptop or tablet in. Or could the garden be where you think and daydream? In that case, you’ll need a seating area to do just that. This is why it’s important to work out what you need first because then you can design a garden that matches your vision rather than trying to fit yourself into a space that doesn’t work how you want it to.
Clear The Area
Every great creation starts with a blank canvas or page and so on, and your garden shouldn’t be any different, which is why it’s crucial you clear the area as much as you can - that way, you get to start fresh and you don’t have to compromise because of things being in your way.
Weeds can often be the biggest issue when you’re trying to clear things, and a good weed wacker can get to work quickly, clearing a large area in a relatively short amount of time - if you’re going to invest in a tool, this is probably the best one to get, at least to start with. You’ll also need a lawn mower and pruning shears as well as tools to help you water your garden, but they can all come later on - you’ve got to clear the space and decide how to use it first.
Define Your Zones
This might not be something you feel you want or need to do, and again, the choice is yours in the end, but if you do want your garden to be a space that’s used for various different things, you’ll need to define the zones and makes sure everything (and everyone) is catered for.
So what zones might you want? Well, there’s the creative zone, of course, but you might also want a relaxation zone (a creative zone could double as a relaxation zone, but it doesn’t have to), a pet zone, a play zone, an entertaining zone, and so on. It really depends on what you like to do in your garden, and, at least to some extent, how much space you’ve got to play with. Once you’ve worked out what you need, you can work out how to differentiate each area. You might literally install fencing to create a boundary, but you could equally use plants, pathways or stones, or even just garden furniture - or what about planting one specific color in each zone? As you can see, there’s plenty of choice, so you can be as creative as you like.
Add The Right Plants
Plants are at the heart of any garden, aren’t they? Even a garden that’s mostly patio or gravel will have at least a little bit of greenery in it, and the fact is that it’s potentially that greenery that’s going to be the most inspiring part, which is why it’s crucial to think carefully about what you want to do and how you want to do it when it comes to adding the right plants.
So what do you need because different plants are going to give you a different feel? If you want a calming space, for example, you’ll need things that are green, white, and pastel colours (ferns and hydrangeas tick these boxes), but if you want something that gives you energy and focus, it could be that you need brighter blooms like sunflowers, marigolds, or zinnias. Can you see how you can change the entire look and feel of your creative space just by picking the right plants? And don’t forget about texture either; if you mix plants with plenty of leaves with some grasses and beautiful flowers, you’ll add some nice depth to things that keeps it all looking a lot more interesting and, hopefully, inspiring.
Make Comfort A Priority
You’re never going to be inspired and creative if you’re always thinking about how uncomfortable you are - it’s basically impossible because you’ll be distracted all the time. So if you want to enjoy your space and make it as creative as possible, you should invest in garden furniture that’s as practical as it is lovely to look at (and comfortable to sit on) and then you’ve got everything covered. Things like a sturdy bench, a cushioned chair, or even a hammock (ideal for daydreaming!) can turn your garden into a truly inspirational place where you’ll love spending time.
And to make sure you can use it pretty much all year round, you’ll want to ensure the temperature doesn’t affect you - throws can be a good option, and so can a fire pit or some outdoor heaters. And when it’s hot, make sure you’ve got shade as that’s going to make a massive difference.
This is a contributed post.
Photo: Vogue Korea
1 comment
Good tip. The gardening season begins again in spring.
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