What changes can you make to your garden to make improvements?

Mary
Authored by Mary
Posted: Friday, February 26, 2021 - 17:16

Summer is not far off and people will soon start to think about their gardens and what changes they wish to make in order to make it as best as they possibly can so they can make the most of it.  Not everyone has a large spacious garden which can mean that the level of changes they make may be restricted, however, most people with a semi-detached or detached home will have a front or back (or both) garden, where they can make improvements to suit them. 

Immediately people may think that garden improvement projects will be extremely expensive, however, this is not the case. Some simple and cost-effective solutions are in front of us that can make a massive difference.  Below are some suggestions around this topic.

Create a Modern Patio

One of the most popular types of improvements that homeowners will make in their back yard is a home patio. This may sound like a massive project, but it is not really.   Most people with even the very basic D.I.Y skills will be able to do a very basic patios structure.   Choosing between different paving patio kits styles is also a key element to give a good selection of choice around this.  Everyone has different taste and with the large amount of different varieties surrounding this, you are spoilt for choice.  One of the key elements that needs a lot of thought is around the surface this is going on.  If the surface is not prepared properly then you could get a poor quality patio.   It may not look like that on initial looks but there could be weeds or things coming through these that immediately spoil it.  

If you are not experienced in laying a patio kit, then you could call on a local tradesman to support with this.  In every local area, the internet will be full of people who are able do this sort of venture.  This will give you a peace of mind that the work is being completed to a professional standard.  Make sure you check out the companies reviews online or on social media.  Another good recommendation for some to complete this for you is via word of mouth. You can’t beat recommendations from people you know and think highly of the work completed by someone.  This is something that is invaluable.  One final tip on this is that do not accept the first price that you are quoted to complete the work.  Make sure you haggle slightly which is extremely common in this industry.

Decking

Extremely common nowadays in back gardens is decking!  Over the past decade, this has seen a massive surge in the UK as homes kit themselves out with brand new decking that brings a modern and cosy feel to the garden. The decking has many advantages which includes the longevity of it, if treated correctly. Once decking is placed down it is really important that this is treated correctly with the right coating. Failure to do this could mean that the decking will wear pretty easily and be damaged. The coating will generally last for a few years and protect from the rain, but it is important the reapply this when necessary to get the best from the decking. 

Similar to the patio, decking can be installed by someone with some very basic D.I.Y skills, however, it is normally a two-man job so make sure you have someone on hand to support you.  If you measure out the area in which you want to have the decking and go to your local D.I.Y store with this information, they will be able to calculate the amount of decking you need to complete the task.  It is also worth while to maybe buy slightly more than required in case an error is made with the installation and a spare piece is needed!

Artificial Grass

Another fad that is growing significantly in popularity is people having artificial grass in their properties.  This has the added benefit of people not having to get the lawn mower out and cut the grass on a frequent basis in the summer months.   Most people do not enjoy cutting the grass therefore the artificial grass invention has been a godsend to some people.  The authenticity of this is usually very good and from a distance, most people will not even know it is artificial grass. There are even now football teams that have installed artificial grass on their grounds as the popularity grows.

There is very little upkeep on this type of grass, and you will find that most people will brush and hose the grass down frequently.  We have even seen people hoover it!   If the initial laying of the grass has not been completed rightly then you may start to see weeds coming through this. As a result, it is really important that enough time and money is spent on the actual surface that this will be going on and not just on the grass itself. You do not want to have to pull this all up after a year or two due to the amount of weeds seeping though.  The installation of the artificial grass is thereafter pretty easy and is similar to rolling out conventional grass.

Summer Hut

If there is enough space in the garden, we now see people erecting summer huts in them which can host guests for entertainment. A lot of people build these huts with the aim of keeping the guests out the house and using this newly build facility to have some fun. This could be games, drinking or watching films. The erection of these sorts of facilities is really cheap hence why it is something that is now extremely popular.  People will generally connect heating and water to it so that it is almost like an additional room to the home.  There is normally no need for people to get planning permission to erect some of these things (unless it is really large in size and potentially blocking your neighbours views) which makes it even more appealing for people to just purchase the materials and get on with it. 

People convert these rooms into all different types of styles.  One of the most popular is a “man cave” where there can be a bar incorporated within it, maybe a TV to watch sports and sometimes even a pool table.  Others could build this to be a little cosier where they would place a large TV within it and some cinema chairs where they can chill out and watch a movie.   Whatever the style of the hut, this is generally seen as a positive improvement and will usually have an impact with the house value in the upward direction.

Our Thoughts

Making some of these garden improvements do not need to cost an arm and a leg and some of them can even be completed without the help of any others.  If you are to spend time in your garden, then make sure it is to a good standard so you can enjoy every minute spent in it.

 

 

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