Garden Make-Over: Transform Your Outdoor Space

Now that the days are getting longer, the nights lighter and the weather is improving, it’s the perfect time to start your garden make-over.

No matter what damage has been caused by the harsh winter and frequent days of snow, it’s not too late to give your garden a make-over with our handy tips below. Start sorting your garden out now and your efforts will pay off come summer when you can enjoy showing off a beautiful, colourful landscape.

Enhance the boundaries

Have a look outside and decide if you like the current view, what would potential buyers think? Walls and fences are the same height in a tiny garden as a large one, so their importance increases as the size of the garden decreases. If all you can see are exposed fences, now is the perfect time to do something to change the appearance.

Consider planting some structural evergreens towards the back of the border, so that as they mature, they’ll hide the boundary fence.

Use plants such as Fargesia murieliae, Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’, Ribes laurifolium, Viburnum tinus ‘Gwenllian’, Ilex × altaclerensis ‘Golden King’ and Itea ilicifolia. More information on these can be found here.

Plant some clematis between these shrubs, and they will intertwine creating a soft boundary, edging the garden with summer colour and interest all year round.

If there is any unsightly concrete or brick work, think about having it rendered and painted in a light, welcoming new shade of masonry paint. Think carefully about the colour and choose a few climbing plants with flowers and foliage that will complement the new wall. For ideas on design, there are good Facebook pages such as ‘DIY on a budget’ where people share suggestions on home and garden revamps which don’t cost the earth!

Create screens to block overlooking neighbours

If any of your rooms or outdoor garden space is overlooked by the next-door neighbours, consider planting a row of trees along the boundary to block out their view. Choose narrow, trees for privacy such as

• Bamboo Trees and Hedge (Phyllostachys)
• Cotoneaster Tree (Cornubia)
• Holly Trees (Ilex)
• Hornbeam Trees (Carpinus Betulus)
• Laurel Trees (Prunus)
• Leylandii Trees (Cypress )
• Magnolia Trees.
• Oak Trees (Quercus)

Think about the gardens purpose

Consider the main use of the garden or think about what potential buyers might find appealing. If it is primarily a space to sit, relax and entertain friends, consider re-arranging to create an enlarged seating/BBQ area. Keep paving simple and mix slabs with gravel or stone chippings to keep costs down.

Revamp tired garden furniture

Your garden furniture might be looking a bit shabby, but don’t give up on it just yet. It can take just one afternoon to transform it from lacklustre to lovely. It’s satisfying and simple to do, and means you don’t need to splash out on anything new, potentially saving yourself hundreds of pounds. Try rubbing it down and applying a coat of paint. Select a colour that will fit in with the colour of the planting around the sitting area.

Perk up your patio

A patio area will also induce visualisations of informal gatherings in the sunshine for barbeques and drinks. If you have a flat with a garden that you think is more likely to appeal to young professionals or older buyers try to give the impression of the garden becoming another room. Table and chairs positioned to catch the sun, staged with a bottle of wine and two glasses will very quickly highlight the brilliant times that could be had here. Containers on patios or decking also enhance a space quickly and easily, providing an aesthetically pleasing but easy to care for garden.

Pull up any weeds that are growing up between slabs. Fill window boxes with colourful flowers, such as lobelia, violets or pansies. These can be bought cheaply from garden centres or supermarkets and flower for most of the summer months. They are ideal for hanging baskets too.

If you are looking to sell your property, the first thing you’ll need is a Home Report. We are RICS Charted Surveyors specialising in Home Reports across Scotland from as little as £85. Get in touch today to arrange a time to suit you. We offer early morning or evening and weekend appointments. Call us on 0131 608 0175 or email us at info@homereportcompany.co.uk

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