Outdoor Living: 13 Extra-Cool Things to Do With a Garden
Sure, you could just plop down on a blanket. Or you could create a dragon’s lair, a mosaic gallery, a party in a jungle ...
If you’re bored of the typical lawn-and-patio garden, then maybe it’s time to add some fun to your outdoor living space. From surfboard showers to freestanding baths, here’s how you can put some character back into your garden.
Create a vine-covered party pad
Make a lush, jungle oasis by training climbing vines over garden walls and stringing up rows of glowing lights. A long, low outdoor fireplace is the perfect spot for gathering around, while weatherproof modern chairs add a colourful touch.
Make a lush, jungle oasis by training climbing vines over garden walls and stringing up rows of glowing lights. A long, low outdoor fireplace is the perfect spot for gathering around, while weatherproof modern chairs add a colourful touch.
Plan a secret seating area
Follow a path lined with bamboo plantings to a hidden seating area and discover the perfect place to kick back and relax. The wicker lounge chair provides another layer of privacy when you’re seated, making this an ideal hideaway.
Follow a path lined with bamboo plantings to a hidden seating area and discover the perfect place to kick back and relax. The wicker lounge chair provides another layer of privacy when you’re seated, making this an ideal hideaway.
Mimic ancient ruins
A tiny, lush meadow leads to a secluded garden room. Partial stone walls look as if they have been crumbling there for centuries, fire-filled stone urns mark the entrance, and an antique fountain provides soothing sounds.
A tiny, lush meadow leads to a secluded garden room. Partial stone walls look as if they have been crumbling there for centuries, fire-filled stone urns mark the entrance, and an antique fountain provides soothing sounds.
Add a lava rock shower
Yes, this outdoor shower is in Hawaii, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create a similar look wherever you live. The lava rock wall provides a natural backdrop for the outdoor shower, while tropical plantings, a teak towel rack and wide stepping stones add appealing texture and a resort-like vibe.
Yes, this outdoor shower is in Hawaii, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create a similar look wherever you live. The lava rock wall provides a natural backdrop for the outdoor shower, while tropical plantings, a teak towel rack and wide stepping stones add appealing texture and a resort-like vibe.
Or how about a surfboard shower?
Resurrect a favourite old surfboard by turning it into a unique outdoor shower.
Resurrect a favourite old surfboard by turning it into a unique outdoor shower.
Use colorful tiles
Spice up your outdoor kitchen with a colourful patchwork of tiles. If you don’t have an outdoor kitchen, a patchwork-tiled table or bench would be just as eye catching.
See quick fixes for your garden
Spice up your outdoor kitchen with a colourful patchwork of tiles. If you don’t have an outdoor kitchen, a patchwork-tiled table or bench would be just as eye catching.
See quick fixes for your garden
Set up an outdoor tub
Could there be anything more liberating than bathing in the great outdoors? If privacy is a concern, a roll-down screen can help you feel less exposed but still connected with the surrounding landscape.
Could there be anything more liberating than bathing in the great outdoors? If privacy is a concern, a roll-down screen can help you feel less exposed but still connected with the surrounding landscape.
Capture a dragon instead
Bathing in the garden not your cup of tea? Then make way for a dragon, or any other creature sculpture, in a vintage bath to create a statement-making fountain.
Bathing in the garden not your cup of tea? Then make way for a dragon, or any other creature sculpture, in a vintage bath to create a statement-making fountain.
Set up a dining table
Add a dining table and chairs to your garden to encourage your family to dine al fresco.
Add a dining table and chairs to your garden to encourage your family to dine al fresco.
Arrange a living room right on the lawn
Why stick with furniture only on the patio or decking? Create an outdoor living room that really embraces the outdoors by positioning your furniture in an area of your garden planted with grass or a foot-traffic-friendly ground cover.
Why stick with furniture only on the patio or decking? Create an outdoor living room that really embraces the outdoors by positioning your furniture in an area of your garden planted with grass or a foot-traffic-friendly ground cover.
Let your outdoor room ramble
Instead of filling your entire garden with grass, try layering connected outdoor rooms, paved in natural stone and interspersed with trees and native plantings.
Tell us: Are you itching to make changes to your garden? If you could wave a magic wand and change anything about your current garden, what would you do?
Instead of filling your entire garden with grass, try layering connected outdoor rooms, paved in natural stone and interspersed with trees and native plantings.
Tell us: Are you itching to make changes to your garden? If you could wave a magic wand and change anything about your current garden, what would you do?
This gorgeous built-in mosaic bench reminds me of the whimsical designs of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona. A piece like this would be a welcome change from standard garden furniture that needs to be protected from rain and snow.
Check out stylish compact courtyards