If you’re taking your outdoor space in hand, whether you’re considering moving or just want a relaxing open-air sanctuary, there are myriad reasons why the spring is an excellent time for doing just that. After all, it’s the optimal season for preparing the soil, planting and general upkeep.
At this time of year, you can create a vibrant, healthy area that thrives throughout the whole growing season. The milder weather and longer hours of daylight make for ideal conditions. So use these weeks to introduce a range of plants, remove weeds (since the rising temperatures accelerate their growth), apply mulch and get stuck into pruning. You can also boost drainage with techniques such as aeration to prevent waterlogging to give your plants optimal drainage.
At the same time, you can think about setting your garden apart and making it distinctive, especially if you’re eager to impress potential purchasers of your property. Here are some additions which make unique selling points:
Herringbone brickwork
This is where bricks are laid at angles to each other, alternating in direction. Herringbone brickwork is a decorative feature, so not really suitable, for example, for load-bearing walls. You’ll see it in fireplaces, porch entrances, patios and driveways, as well as some walls.
There are many benefits to the style, including its visual appeal, ability to handle high volumes of traffic and withstand the elements plus its good drainage. This brickwork adds a unique, elegant appearance with its timeless, classic design. Meanwhile, in smaller areas it creates a feeling of space – what’s more, its versatility means you can use different brick sizes and colours.
Finally, upkeep is minimal; you just need some regular cleaning, combined with occasional weeding.
Fit a Lutyens bench
You may not be able to identify a Lutyens bench by name, but you’ll certainly have seen one. After all, this sophisticated model – also sometimes called the Sissinghurst or Marlborough bench – has been a popular choice for outdoor furniture across the UK for more than 100 years thanks to its eye-catching design.
These pieces, named after creator Sir Edwin Lutyens, come in varied sizes including three and four-seater models. Their instantly recognisable design is said to have been inspired by the Arts and Craft movement, which prioritised natural materials and quality craftmanship. The ornate style includes a distinctive arched back and scrolled arms.
Typically, these items are made from solid, sustainable teak, and this hardwood is famous for its longevity and ability to resist the elements as well as warping, splitting, cracking and insect infestations. Teak is always comfortable to sit on, and stays looking its best even if left outside in all conditions, with minimal upkeep.
So consider one for your garden – it’s the ultimate, sophisticated focal point.
Bespoke garden buildings
Garden buildings encompass everything from sheds and greenhouses to log cabins, gazebos and garden rooms. You can use then to store things, to entertain, work or relax, pursue a hobby or creative passion, or even just for extra living space, for example as a ‘den’ for older children, especially given the current trend for blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor areas.
Bespoke garden buildings offer a number of additional advantages, including their versatility and adaptability for a wide range of uses. Equally, they can be constructed to suit your own garden layout, with high-quality materials designed to last. Plus you can place them strategically to maximise feelings of seclusion and tranquility, creating your own personal sanctuary in a way that makes best use of space, which could be important if your garden is not the biggest.
In short, it can be custom-made so that you get exactly what you need and to suit your tastes, with an unparalleled level of flexibility. And your unique, multi-purpose spot could add significant value to your property, while enhancing your quality of life immeasurably.
