Outdoor Living Archives - With love from Lou

How to Create the Backyard Space of Your Dreams

29/04/2022 by Louise Leave a Comment

Do you love spending time outdoors, but wish your backyard was a little more space-efficient? Or maybe you’re thinking about getting your hands dirty and making your own space for entertaining friends and family? Well, you’re not alone! Many people are finding that creating a space for entertaining and lounging is a great way to gain some much-needed privacy, have a place to relax at the end of the day, and entertain. The good news is, even if you have a small yard, you can still create the perfect backyard space!

CREATE A PLAN

Before you begin changing your backyard, you need to create a plan. Spend some time thinking about what you want your backyard to look like. Research different styles, layouts, and features. Decide what you like and what you don’t like. Once you have a better idea of what you want your backyard to look like, you can start looking at options for building the space the way you want it. Before you start building anything, though, you’ll want to make sure you have all the necessary city permits and approvals first. Make sure that if you’re adding any structures, you’re following all the city’s rules and guidelines.

INSTALL DECKING

Decking is a great way to bring people together and can be used as a place to entertain guests or simply to relax with friends and family. If your backyard is mostly grass, then installing decking gives you a great place to put furniture down safely and securely. Consider Patio Awnings from Caribbean Blinds to add even more privacy and space for entertaining to your decking.

ADD SCENERY

Adding greenery to your backyard is a great way to decorate and achieve the atmosphere you want. Some great plants to add to your space are berry bushes, climbing vines, and herbs. And don’t forget about your lawn! You can also go with plants that create privacy, such as plants that grow tall enough to block out the views of neighbours’ properties or are dense enough to block out light. If you’re looking for more options to add to your space, consider a plant shop. There are many plant shops in every community, and they can be a great way to add plants to your space and find other ways to bring nature into your backyard.

ADD SEATING

Seating will make your backyard the perfect space for entertaining, or just relaxing at the end of a long day. The seating options you choose to add to your backyard space will depend on the amount of space you have available. When you choose the types of seating you want to add, keep in mind that they don’t have to be huge! You can choose chairs and benches that are smaller, making your space feel more intimate. Another thing you can do is add a plant to the bench or chairs. This way, when you’re not using them, they can help bring nature into your space while also adding a nice accent.

With these tips, it becomes easy to create the backyard of your dreams!
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Deep dive into retractable louvred pergolas: what are they and why are they so popular?

25/09/2019 by Louise Leave a Comment

Looking to spruce up your garden space? Pergolas are the perfect addition to any garden or patio. But what are pergolas? Good question. Let’s find out.

According to an article on The Spruce, pergolas are “outdoor structures consisting of columns that support a roofing grip of beams and rafters.” These may be associated with other outdoor structures that you might be familiar with, including gazebos or arbours.

Arbours vs Gazebos vs Pergolas

Garden arbours are also known as garden arches which are used to add a special detail along walkways and pathways or to designate the entry point into a garden. You might have seen arbours at weddings as these are commonly used as wedding arches covered in flowers and climbing plants.

Pergolas are larger structures than arbours. These usually feature a lattice-styled roof that is supported by posts which are used to cover and define large outdoor seating areas.

Gazebos are also large garden structures; however, these are hexagonal, octagonal or round in shape and feature a roof. Most gazebos have a built-in seating area inside which is partially closed off by latticework.

Standard pergolas vs Retractable louvred pergolas

One of the disadvantages of standard pergolas is the fact that they lack shade. Traditionally, the solution for this problem would be to plant trailing plans, however, this solution came with more issues: plants take time to train upwards plus, plants would shed leaves and leave debris.

This is where retractable louvred pergolas became the real solution. As Designer Shade Solutions mention on their website, “louvre pergolas allow you to sit in shade or sun in hot weather but immediately change to a fully waterproof pergola roof if it starts to rain.” Plus, their retractable options mean that when it gets sunny again the louvre can be tucked away neatly at the end of the structure, so you can enjoy the sun.

Now, it’s easy to understand why these are so popular. They are aesthetically pleasing, fit any patio area and can be used all year round! What else could you ask for? Maybe some coloured lighting and heating within your pergola? That can be sorted too. Visit https://designershadesolutions.co.uk today and see their stunning range of pergolas. Deep dive into retractable louvred pergolas: what are they and why are they so popular?

Would you ever consider a pergola to spruce up your garden space?
Be sure to let me know in the comments below!
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Top Tips For Growing Your Own Fresh Fruit and Veg

28/11/2018 by Louise Leave a Comment

Growing your own fruit and vegetables is more popular than ever. With recent research suggesting that the price of fruit and veg will rise by 8% after Brexit, it’s no wonder we are all taken with the idea of being more self-sufficient to save some pennies.

There are loads of benefits to growing your own vegetables. You will use less pesticides and chemicals than mass-produced plots, making your veggies much healthier, plus they will be fresher as they won’t have travelled thousands of miles to get to your plate. It is also a great way to spend time as a family, encouraging your little ones to learn how to nurture – and they are much more likely to want to eat them if they’ve helped the growth process!

Here are some top tips for growing your own fruit and veggies.

Companion Planting

This is a successful technique which involves selecting fruits and vegetables that benefit one another and planting them together. Companion planting offers a range of benefits – it can improve pollination, boost nutrients, improve soil structure, reduce disease and minimise pests. Many beginners choose to grow tomatoes as they are considered relatively easy. To encourage their growth, try planting carrots, lettuce and onions nearby as they will thrive together, all sharing their benefits with their neighbours. It’s like a little vegetable family!

Soil Is Key To Success

It is vital that your soil has the right fertility to be able to grow healthy plants. One way to improve fertility is to add compost. Most garden centres stock this, but you can also make it yourself by creating a compost heap. You can chuck most things on there – grass cuttings, vegetable peel, vegetable waste (think apple cores or the ends of carrots), weeds and nettles. Just make sure you avoid any diseased plants or veg.

Pick the Perfect Location

If you’re lucky enough to have a sizeable garden, make sure you pick the best spot which will encourage plant growth. If possible, pick a place which offers both sun and a certain degree of shelter. Avoid any areas which are in permanent shade – plants thrive on sun light, so it is essential for the growth of your fruit and vegetables. But do try to offer your plants some shelter from wind as it may be detrimental to the success of their rooting.

You don’t have to be an expert gardener to successfully grown your own veggies. The first step is to get in the garden and be creative with your space. Once you’ve mastered the basics, you can relax and enjoy growing exciting produce right outside your front door!

Have you ever had your own vegetable patch?
Let me know in the comments below.
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Creating a Wonderful Space for Wildlife in Your Garden

08/11/2018 by Louise 16 Comments

People increasingly understand the importance of spending time outside. They know that doing so is good for their mental, emotional and physical health. As a result, homeowners are spending more time and money on their gardens. They are creating little oasis’s of calm and beauty for their family and friends to enjoy. However, increasingly homeowners want to go further by making sure that their garden is also a friendly place for wildlife. If you are one of them, read on, to pick up some tips that will help you to do that.

Plant some wildflowers

Giving over a section of your garden to wildflowers is a great idea. It does not even have to be a large area. You could buy some wildflower seed and scatter it at the bottom of your garden. Or, use them at the back of your flowerbed or sprinkle them over your lawn. How you do it really is up to you. But, it is a good idea to make sure that the area is a weed free as possible before sowing your wildflower seeds.

Make a small hole in your fence

Leaving a small hole at the bottom of one of the fence panels either side of your garden will make it easier for small mammals to move between gardens. This makes it far easier for them to forage and thrive. It also encourages the mixing of different populations, which prevents inbreeding. This makes each family group stronger from a genetic point of view.

Put up a bird table

Birds will flock to a bird table. Provided you put the right food out and keep it hygienically clean it will greatly benefit them. It is also important to put out drinking water. You could also set up a bird bath. Just remember to change the water regularly.

Create a compost heap

When creating a wildlife garden, it is important not to forget the smaller creatures. Insects need safe homes just as much as birds and mammals do. When the insect population thrives, the bigger animals who feed on them also do well. Setting up and maintaining a compost heap is a really easy way to support insects. It has the added benefit of creating great plant food and keeping your food waste out of landfill.

If you do not fancy that idea, you could always create a bug hotel instead. You can easily set one up behind your shed or at the back of a flower bed.

Choose a wide variety of plants

The more varied the plants are in your garden the better it is for wildlife. Try to choose flowers that bloom at different times of the year. Doing so will provide you with year-round colour as well as food for your local insect population.

Set up a pond

If you have enough room, money and time setting up a pond in your garden will greatly benefit your local wildlife. Ponds provide habitat for some of the creatures that are currently struggling to survive in the UK.

As you can see creating wildlife-friendly gardens is not that hard and it need not be expensive. If you are short of time and money, do not worry. You can simply take the above list of projects and tackle one of them each year. In no time, you will have created a wonderful eco-friendly space for everyone to enjoy.

Do you have any other tips for creating a wonderful space for wildlife in your garden?
If so, let me know in the comments below.
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5 Things I’d Love To Have In My Home

07/11/2018 by Louise 24 Comments

Recently, I’ve been updating my home with a few new little items scattered here and there. You know the sort of thing I mean – a faux plant in the living room, a long mirror in the bedroom and a new set of pans in the kitchen. But even though I love that they’ve given each room a new lease of life, there are still quite a few bigger items I’d like to add to my home. And today I thought I’d talk through some of them with you.

I hope you enjoy having a read of my post, and I’d love to hear what you think of the things on my wishlist. If you have any of them, how do you get on with them? And if not, are they things you’d like in your own home? You can let me know by leaving me a message in the comments section at the end of the post. So, are you sitting comfortably? Then let me tell you about the top 5 things I’d love to have in my home …

01. A Dishwasher

Up until recently, I’d never really thought about having a dishwasher. But then I started watching some mummy vloggers on YouTube, and they all seemed to have one! Their evening routine’s look so much easier than mine as they don’t have a ton of pots to wash and dry after dinner, and I think if I had one it would be a big help to me. At the moment we eat dinner and then I spend a good hour washing up in our teeny tiny sink before having to make a start on the kids’ bedtime routine. There’s no time to sit down with a cuppa in between. Having a dishwasher would most definitely allow me to enjoy a little more family time in an evening, which would be pure bliss!

02. A Belfast Sink

I know I’ve mentioned it here on my blog before, but if there’s one thing I’ve always wanted in my home, it’s a Belfast Sink! Aren’t they just stunning? I love how big they are compared to regular sinks, and I think I’d get the washing up done in double-quick time if I were to have one in my kitchen as I wouldn’t have to keep refilling the sink with pots every time I’d washed and dried some. A Belfast Sink would be a great alternative to the dishwasher I mentioned above, but I wouldn’t say no to having both. That way, the unimportant stuff could go in the dishwasher after dinner, and I could wash everything else by hand in the sink. Perfect!

03. Storage Units from Ikea

Being a blogger, I’ve acquired a lot of stuff. And at the moment, that stuff is piled up wherever there’s a bit of space for it to go. Urgh! So, I’ve been browsing online for some nice storage units to help me clear up the mess and have a much more organised home. And I came across some absolutely gorgeous cube storage from Ikea that I think would be absolutely perfect. Not only do they look fab, but they’d hold lots of things like toys, gadgets, cables and other bits and bobs as well. I just love them and think they’d look really nice dotted around my home.

04. A Conservatory

Another thing I really wish our current home had is a conservatory. Our last one did and absolutely loved sitting in there during the summer months, reading a good book and enjoying a nice cup of tea. It was lovely. And probably my most favourite room in the whole house! I would give anything to have a conservatory again. It was the perfect place to sit and catch up with friends, do a bit of blogging or even play with the kids. And, of course, conservatories tend to be little sun traps, so they’re always nice and warm during the daytime.

05. A Garage

And this last one might seem a bit of a silly one, as you guys know that I don’t own a car. But, I still wish our house had a garage. First up, I think it would be the perfect place to keep all of Oscar’s outdoor toys during the winter months. We’ve got trikes and other ride-on’s, water tables, mud kitchens, paddling pools and lots more stuff that doesn’t have a ‘proper’ home during these colder months. I’ve been looking at some gorgeous concrete garages from Lidget, and I think they’d be perfect for my needs. They’d be way more secure than a garden shed, and look much nicer too.

And, secondly, when I was younger I used to babysit for a couple who’d turned their garage into a games room for the kids. It was brilliant! They used to play all sorts in there, from Pool and Foosball to Darts and Air Hockey. And they were never bored! The couple even had electricity running to it so the kids could watch TV and play their X-Box in there if they wanted to. I remember being super impressed and always wanted a garage that I could turn into a games room for my own kids. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to make that dream a reality.

And there you have it – 5 things I’d absolutely love to have in my home.
Would you like any of them in your own home? Be sure to let me know in the comments below.
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Transform your Terrace Into the Perfect Al Fresco Dining Area

21/05/2018 by Louise 31 Comments

Summer is almost upon us and for the majority of Australian homeowners, thoughts turn to the garden, as we prepare for that long summer season of outdoor living. If you have taken an honest look at your outdoor living space and have decided it is in need of a revamp, here’s a guide to help you create the ideal Al Fresco dining area.

Stylish Shading

No Al Fresco ambience is complete without some elegant shading, and with a range of centre or side post garden umbrellas, you have the ideal solution. Modern shade umbrellas are a far cry from the monstrosities of a few years ago, when you had to be a contortionist to open one, and effortless operation is thankfully now the norm. Bright and colourful fabrics that are guaranteed not to fade or tear, offer you a host of design options, or if you have a large expanse to cover, you might want to consider investing in a retractable awning, and with matching units over the windows, you have the perfect Mediterranean dining area.

Timber Decking or Natural Stone

The terrace itself can be built with either timber decking or paving stones, whichever you prefer, and by enlisting the help of a local landscaping company, your patio will be the ideal foundation for the unique look you are planning to create. Both have their pros and cons, with timber requiring regular attention, while stone tends to collect dirt and grime, especially over the winter months, and whatever you choose, it will determine the colours that will be most effective to create the right ambience. For more comfortable you may find the best patio heater for cozy and warmth surrounding yourself.

Garden Furniture

When it comes to outdoor furniture in Melbourne, why not pay a visit to the huge warehouse, where a wide range of styles are presented in a real life garden environment, which is the best way to experience the furniture, and their lower than retail prices will certainly appeal. Chairs, tables, sun loungers and outdoor sofas offer the Australian homeowner a range of styles, so there will be something that looks like it belongs on your terrace. One must factor in durability with outdoor furniture, as it must endure extended periods of exposure to direct sunlight, and make sure the materials are non corrosive, such as stainless steel, wrought iron, or even rattan.

Visit the Store

Most garden centres have a limited selection, so it is best to source a supplier with an extensive catalogue and by paying them a visit, you get to see first hand how the furniture looks in a garden setting. An online search will save you both time and money, and after browsing a selection of suites, you can follow up with a store visit, which will make the selection process that much easier.

Lighting

As early evening arrives, some carefully placed floor level lighting will certainly add a touch of subtle elegance to your terrace and with a few well-placed spots to highlight focal points and soft table lamps, the Al Fresco look is complete. LED solutions give you far more scope regarding outdoor lighting, and with dimmer switches, you have fine control over lighting.

Screening

Most terraces do require a windbreaker, and with stylish fabric roller blinds, this can be elegantly provided, and with clear plastic solutions, the beautiful view will not be compromised, and any time you wish to enjoy the breeze, simply raise the screens. Again, a clever choice of colours can give your terrace some depth and contrast, and with modern roller blinds, there are no unsightly ropes and pulleys, as the running mechanism is enclosed and easy to adjust.

Regarding the look of your outdoor area, you are only limited by your own imagination, and if you are lacking inspiration, a Google image search is bound to give you some ideas.

Do you have any other tips for transforming your terrace into the perfect al fresco dining area?
Why not let me know in the comments below.
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DIY Projects That Can Transform Your Yard

27/02/2018 by Louise Leave a Comment

Are you tired of looking at the same old yard day after day? You don’t have to hire a professional landscaper to spice things up if you want the place to look nicer, and in fact, there are lots of options that you can make use of in order to give your home’s yard a much nicer appearance. Of course, you should be prepared to invest some time and money of your own, in some cases in significant amounts, but if you and your family and/or friends like to spend a lot of time relaxing in your home’s garden, this can bring some great long-term benefits.High-end Grill

Are you a fan of grilling some steaks or burgers? Few things can replace a professional grill constructed in your backyard, and while the initial investment can be a bit steep, the long-term results are more than worth it. Of course, it’s a different story if you don’t enjoy the idea of attracting the whole neighborhood on a regular basis, but nothing’s stopping you from enjoying some quality grilled meat in the company of your own family if you feel like it. Discover the best pellet smoker 2018 and have fun with your friends every weekend or month.

Advanced Lighting

You’d be surprised how much things can change with a proper lighting setup, and all you need to get the job done is a company like Volt Lighting with an adequate selection of solutions. If you enjoy spending a lot of time in the backyard in the later hours of the day, this can have a dramatic boost to the overall mood of the place, and your family will appreciate the convenience as well. The most important point to consider here is the quality of the lights that you’re putting up, as an improper setup can end up costing you a lot in electric bills. As long as you make sure to use high-grade LED lights though, this should not be a problem.

Outdoor TV

Depending on the weather in your local area, you can sometimes put up a whole television set for everyone to enjoy, complete with goodies like surround sound and even backlighting. You’ll just need to invest in some accessories to keep your technology safe from rain and other harmful weather conditions, and there are some reliable products out there for this purpose. Outdoor TV covers don’t cost much for a high-grade set, and they can be easily customized to fit various other appliances that you may want to use outdoors. Just make sure to familiarize yourself with the manufacturer guidelines to avoid any damage to the electronics.

Your yard doesn’t have to look and feel boring, and if you enjoy spending a lot of time in it, there are definitely lots of opportunities out there for things that you can do to make it a more appealing place. As long as you have the time and money to invest in a renovation project like this, you can easily find yourself spending a lot more time in your backyard, and maybe even inviting your neighbors to hang out on a more regular basis.

Do you have any other tips for transforming your yard?
Let me know in the comments below.
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