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Are you looking for ideas on how to make the most of your outdoor space? If the answer is yes, this guide to the latest garden building trends is a great place to start.
As the country entered lockdown last year and people spent more time at home, lots of us learned to use our outdoor space more effectively. The garden was recognised for its full potential, and soon became an invaluable extra ‘room’ where the family could exercise, relax and engage with nature. This trend is here to stay, as gardens continue to play a big role in our lives and our wellbeing.
Why the right garden building can transform your outdoor space
The right garden building or structure can make all the difference to your outdoor space. It can be an attractive statement piece to complement your style, or create impact as a stand out feature. The added bonus is it will not only look good, but be useful too.
Take a look at these popular outdoor trends and how they can incorporate garden buildings to transform your outdoor space.
Multifunctional space
The pandemic has completely changed how we see and use our gardens. Homeowners are now investing more time and money in their outdoor spaces, as a way of enhancing their home in a functional and beautiful way. High up on the list of must-haves is fully equipped garden buildings.
The lockdown encouraged us all to be more creative with our use of space, and to adapt to new lifestyles. Home shifted from being just a leisurely place to sit and watch TV or sleep, to becoming a school, office, gym and pub all rolled into one. This sudden shift meant many of us quickly learned how to make rooms cater to more than one purpose. A garden building, such as a log cabin, is an ideal solution. It can be kitted out and used to perfectly suit your lifestyle and your family’s needs.
As the economy remains uncertain, and house prices rise, people are also wary of moving. The knock-on effect is a growing trend in home improvement, as people choose to upgrade what they already have instead of moving. Gardens are a key part of this home renovation trend. More than ever before, our gardens are becoming places where we spend time with family and friends, in addition to serving other purposes such as a quiet retreat, a play area for children, or a space to enjoy a hobby.
Outdoor living
Our lives are extending more to our outdoor spaces, blurring the lines between inside and outside. Bringing the inside out has been a growing trend, and the two are now merging together. This means setting up outdoor living rooms that incorporate the use of interior style decor.
Comfy sofas, rugs, floor cushions and warm lighting are all key pieces for creating a comfortable, attractive and useable space. Adding a fire pit or chiminea outside is another great way to add a warm cosy feel to your patio area. It also allows you to use your outdoor space more in the cooler months.
Being outside in nature is calming and relaxing, so it’s important to have space to unwind in your garden. Quality time in the garden can feel like escaping to the country, helping you to switch off from the world and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Use of natural materials, such as timber, is popular for garden buildings and features in the garden, as it blends easily into nature and the surrounding environment.
The UK’s climate is becoming warmer, which is also helping to increase the popularity of outdoor living. As people extend their homes into the outdoors, sales of garden buildings and garden furniture are soaring. Now is a great time to create a zen garden with a peaceful atmosphere.
Entertaining
Outdoor gatherings and alfresco dining became a necessity last year, and our gardens are evolving to accommodate this. Cooking and entertaining outside is big news, with outdoor kitchens, BBQs and pizza ovens being key garden trends.
The lockdown was the original driving force for outdoor gatherings, as indoor meetings were limited. However, their popularity continues as restrictions are lifted, with people realising the advantages of external socialising. For starters, it’s ideal for those who lack the space inside for larger get-togethers. Plus it keeps any mess away from inside the home, as everything is contained in the garden.
During lockdown the nation really missed the ability to socialise down the pub or meet with friends for a drink. This prompted many to create their own pub shed or garden bar, a trend which is likely to grow. People welcome the convenience, the cheaper drinks, and greater flexibility on opening times. To easily make your own garden pub take a look at Dunster House, where they have a range of garden shelters and log cabins that come with bars included.
When planning your outdoor entertaining space, a dedicated area for social gatherings will also help you manage unpredictable weather. For example, a garden cabin allows you to keep everyone warm and dry when the heavens open!
Home working
Working from home has been a steadily increasing trend recently, but it really boomed last year. Even as places of work open up again, some employers may not see staff return to offices full time. It looks like many businesses will continue to offer their employees the opportunity to work from home for at least part of the week.
Working from home has many benefits, such as leaving the commute behind, but it also has its drawbacks. One of the biggest challenges is separating work from home life, especially if you don’t have room for a dedicated office space.
A garden office can help you find the perfect balance here. It provides a work space that feels just like a room in the house, but is detached from it. This gives you somewhere you can focus on work away from the distractions of home, and a place to keep all equipment and paperwork organised. Plus, at the end of the day you can still shut down and leave the office behind. This is important for your mental wellbeing and stress levels.
There are companies that design and manufacture garden buildings specifically for use as an office. For the best usability all year round, opt for a fully insulated one with double glazing. You also need to ensure it has secure locks in order to keep your computing equipment and important documents safe.
Exercising
Exercise has been an important factor in keeping people active and happy while cooped up at home during lockdown. As lives get back to normal and we get busy again, we need to try and continue the trend. Finding the time and motivation to exercise can sometimes be hard, but health and wellbeing should be a priority.
If you feel intimidated by other gym goers, or cringe at the thought of being surrounded by sweaty crowds of people, the ideal solution is to workout at home. Building your own home gym is a great idea, but you may not have space inside the house for it. A garden building will provide a dedicated space to set up bulky equipment and keep fit, without disturbing other family members. Plus, the convenience of a gym on your own doorstep could encourage you to exercise more often.
Lockdown also caused a growth in cycling and a surge in bike sales. This is a new pastime that many people will be keen to continue with, as a fun way to exercise that can also be enjoyed as a family day out. A garden building or bike shed that provides secure storage space is a great way to keep expensive bikes safe. It’s also a practical choice, because it means you don’t have to take up valuable space indoors.
Gardening and Growing Your Own
People are spending more time in their gardens, and lots of us have discovered a new found love for gardening and caring for plants and flowers. In addition, using our outdoor space for more occasions means we want to keep things looking nice and tidy. People are taking pride in maintaining their gardens in the same way as they do their homes, as they want them to be an inviting place that everyone can enjoy.
A key trend is to grow plants that are wildlife friendly, to encourage nature to flourish. As focus on environmental issues and sustainability grows, more people are having a go at growing their own produce. There is also a growing trend towards living a healthier lifestyle and eating a better diet. You can’t get fresher or more organic than eating from your own kitchen garden.
It’s important to have the right tools and accessories to cultivate and tend to your garden, and also essential to have a safe place to store them. Equipment, tools and gardening sundries need adequate storage to protect them from the elements and keep them in good condition. A shed made from pressure treated timber is ideal for the job, as it will be low maintenance and long lasting.
Garden and lifestyle retailer Dunster House has a wide range of garden buildings that can be used to cater for all of these popular outdoor space trends. They offer Log Cabins and Summerhouses of various sizes and designs, to suit all kinds of needs and gardens, as well as purpose built Garden Offices, and Garden Sheds for storage. If you’re feeling inspired and want to keep up with the latest garden building trends, take a look at their website now.
Have you embraced any of these trends in your own outdoor space? Tell me in the comments how you’re using your garden differently these days.
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