Simple Things You Can Do To Create Inviting Garden Spaces

Is your backyard baking hot, uninviting or just plain boring? Do you look out the window wishing it was more inviting but you’re just not sure where to start? Even if you are on a tight budget you can easily create inviting spaces that will draw you outdoors.

Here in northern California we are blessed with beautiful weather for 8-9 months of the year. Even if you have shorter summers, it just makes sense to utilize your outdoor spaces when the weather is good. Creating inviting spaces in your garden maximizes the overall living space of your home making it live larger. And let’s face it, most of us can always use more usable spaces in our homes, right?

Let’s start with a few easy, no cost things you can do right now.

Clean Something.

Ok I’m starting with the least fun thing first. Let’s face it, nothing says uninviting more than dusty, dirty patio furniture covered in spider webs. This may not be the most fun thing on the list to do, but when was the last time you cleaned off the patio furniture? Give it a good spray down with the hose and take a clean rag to it to get it spruced up.

Get out the leaf blower or the broom and clean off the patio. Getting rid of the leaves, dirt and dust will make the space look and feel so much better and it won’t cost you a cent.

Pull some weeds.

If you have planting beds in your garden, are they overgrown and choked with weeds? Spend some time trimming overgrown shrubs and pulling some weeds. You don’t have to do all of it in one day, actually I don’t recommend that. Your back will be killing you and you’ll be stiff and sore for several days if you try to do everything all at once. Instead break up your yard into smaller manageable areas and tackle small areas at a time.

If you hate pulling weeds, make it more fun by listening to some music or your favorite podcast to help pass the time.

Create vignettes.

Group together items to create focal points of interest in your outdoor space. Grouping potted plants together instead of having them scattered all around the garden makes more of a visual impact. You don’t need expensive, exotic plants to create pleasing displays.

These simple to grow spider plants, planted in inexpensive terra cotta pots, look lovely grouped together in a shady spot of the garden. I use terra cotta pots a lot. Their soft color looks lovely with greenery and they just get better and better looking with age. They develop such a lovely aged patina the longer they sit outside.

Create groupings with an odd number of items. Groupings of three items is all you need in one or two spots to create focal points of interest. Sticking to a cohesive color pallet and varying the height of the items will create the most visually pleasing displays.

Select a color scheme.

Using the same colors throughout your garden will give it a more cohesive pulled together look. Decide on whether you want to go with a cool color pallet or a warm color pallet. Take cues from the fixed items that you already have in your outdoor space, those items that would be too difficult or just too darn expensive to replace, and work with what you already have.

Repeat patterns.

Use repetition to create cohesiveness. Using the same plants in more than one area of the garden will create a more pulled together look to your garden. I personally have great luck growing Asparagus ferns (Asparagus setaceus). I love how full and lush they look with little to almost no attention. Over the years I have divided them to create even more plants. I have them planted in terra cotta pots in numerous spots of the yard.

Learn how easy it is to divide perennials HERE.

How do you determine what plants to choose for your garden? Take a look around your yard. What plants are doing the best and thriving even when you neglect them? Those are the plants you want more of in your garden! Planting more of them will result in a low maintenance garden. Creating a low maintenance garden will allow you to spend more time outside relaxing, enjoying your outdoor space instead of working on gardening chores.

Set a simple table and dine al fresco.

Create inviting destinations to draw you outside. One of the easiest ways to create an inviting destination is to set a pretty table. No need to buy anything new, just use your everyday dishes and what you already have.

Let’s move on to a few low cost things you can do when the budget allows.

Paint something.

A fresh coat of paint is an inexpensive way to freshen up and transform almost anything.

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Refresh tired patio furniture with a fresh coat of paint. No need to even get out a paintbrush, spray paint is so much easier and takes all the hard work out of painting.

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Instead of purchasing a new set of outdoor furniture, refinish a set you already have.

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Learn how to refinish wood outdoor patio furniture here. A little elbow grease and some time will transform a tired old set and give it a second lease on life that you can enjoy for many more years.

You can spray paint almost anything; patio furniture, mismatched pots, garden statues. I often tease my husband and tell him if he stands still in one spot for too long, I might just end up spray painting him…LOL!

Add textiles.

Add cushions, pillows and throws for pops of color and to make seating more comfortable and inviting.

Add a touch of whimsy.

The garden is the perfect place to add some whimsy. Just a word of caution when it comes to adding whimsy to your garden…a little bit goes a long way and can quickly turn into tacky if you’re not careful. Use a restrained hand and don’t overdo it. A few, well placed, fun items are all you need.

Repurpose old items and use them as unique planters.

Find out how easy it is to repurpose an old baking pan into a planter that’s perfect for your favorite succulents HERE.

With a little imagination, even old toys can be repurposed and turned into a fun, unexpected planter.

Add shade.

Even though this comes at the end of the list, it’s one of the most important elements to add to your outdoor space. When the temperatures creep up towards the triple digits in the summer, no-one will venture outside if there are no shady spots to protect them from the baking hot sun.

Take advantage of any shady spots you have in your garden. If you are lucky enough to have mature trees in your garden, create seating areas under their shade.

Place a table and chairs near the house if it casts shade especially later in the day when you might want to enjoy a meal al fresco or just relax at the end of a long day to enjoy a cold drink.

If you have a baking hot sunny yard and no shade, create a shady oasis with well placed umbrellas or awnings. Umbrellas are very versatile and can easily be moved around to provide shade where needed throughout the day.

Start small. Use what you already have. Clean it, paint it. Repeat elements, create vignettes, add a bit of whimsy, and create shady retreats. Before you know it, your efforts will result in an outdoor space that beckons you to enjoy a meal with your family or a spot to enjoy a cup of coffee in the cool of the morning or a glass of wine at the end of a long busy day.

You can do this!!!

Did You Try Any Of These Ideas?

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