Five Ways to Provide Inspiration for Outdoor Space

Now that the sun is beginning to shine again, it's time to get out into the garden and breathe some life into it so that you can make the most of your space. If you're in need of a bit of inspiration, here are some creative ways that you can give your garden or balcony a contemporary look and reinvigorate your outdoor area.

Create a Seating Area

If you have a corner that's under-utilised, you could create a bench seating area that's built into the main structure to provide a more seamless finish. For instance, it would be a great idea to install timber seats that match your decking and then customise them with waterproof covers and cushions.

You could easily turn this into your own garden room by obscuring it from view slightly and planning out the space with raised beds.

Keep It Simple

All too often homeowners can go overboard with their gardens and plant too many types of species in one area. However, it's best to just focus on a particular style to create a more elegant look, particularly on smaller balconies or terraces.

It's also helpful to stick to a few shades rather than going for a varied colour palette, especially if you're not very confident with your plant choices. This will achieve a more contemporary and organised look, even if you're unsure exactly what you're doing.

Maximise the Space

You don't have to have a large outdoor area to add some colour and create a beautiful display of shades and textures. Wall space on balconies, for example, is the ideal space for hanging baskets and wall-mounted pots.

Have Contrasting Surfaces

If you have the space, using a mixture of hard and soft surfaces will give your garden a contemporary edge. You could use ornamental grasses to give a relaxed feel and then pair this with modern-style paving to form defined areas.

Dare to Be Bold

When it comes to painting your decking, don't think that you have to stick to the same shades of brown as everyone else. Try something bolder and more unusual that will really help your garden stand out. There are now some deep black varieties that will produce the perfect backdrop for your green foliage, or if you don't want to be this dramatic, you can find contemporary dark green, stone, grey or taupe options that will still produce a visual effect.