Going Green in the Garden …

The Garden Furniture Centre Garden Ideas
Going Green in the Garden …

Garden Furniture and Accessories …

By 2050, with a projected increased global population of 9.6 billion, we would need the equivalent of almost 3 planets worth of resources to sustain our way of living, if our current consumption and production patterns remain the same. These statistics provided by the United Nations don’t look good, and nearly all authorities on climate change agree that it is a man-made issue. The good news is that many people are being motivated to make changes in their lifestyles to decrease negative impact on the environment. One major area that can be altered for leading a more eco-friendly lifestyle is right in your own backyards, literally. There are many ways to build and maintain a garden that is both environmentally friendly and enjoyable.

Sourcing quality, eco-friendly patio furniture is a great place to start the journey to an eco-friendly and enjoyable garden.  When trees are cut down for the purposes of making furniture, it increases the amount of carbon in our atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Consider purchasing furniture made from reclaimed materials to cut down on deforestation.  Buying good quality furniture helps to ensure that you don’t have to replace it frequently, saving both money and resources. Invest in solar powered patio lights to save energy, as well as making sure that pools and spas are using the most energy efficient equipment available. 

Types of Plants …

Although plants are inherently eco-friendly organic life forms, there are certain types of plants that will help to move a home garden toward fully sustainable and eco-friendly.  Drought tolerant plants are a good place to start. In the nursery, look for plants that have silver or greyish leaves that reflect sunlight, as many of these are do not require much water.  Lavender, aloe, eucalyptus, poppies and rosemary are all good places to start when it comes to drought tolerant plants.  It’s also important to choose plants that optimize carbon dioxide absorption. Scientists believe that the planting of trees to absorb excess carbon emissions will be a viable and long term solution to the worrying amounts of carbon dioxide currently in our atmosphere.  Oaks, pines and yellow poplars are some of the best trees for absorbing carbon.  Finally, planting a vegetable garden can have a huge impact on the environment. Not only will you save money on delicious produce, but just one pound of veggies grown in an organic backyard garden, saves two pounds of carbon dioxide from commercial farming machinery.

Gardening Habits …

As well as the types of plants in the garden, the way they are tended can have an impact on the environment, starting with fertiliser.  Synthetic fertilisers are one of the greatest contributors of greenhouse gases, as well as manure, which releases methane into the atmosphere.  Instead, use compost that you can make right in your own backyard. Compost bins can be bought or made at home, then simply toss food scraps, garden clippings, and paper waste into the bin.  You’ll save money on fertilizer and make sure that kitchen scraps aren’t going to waste. To save on water, use mulch to reduce evaporation and water plants deeply every few days to promote healthy and deep roots which makes plants more drought tolerant.

Going green in the garden can seem like a daunting task at first glance, but in the end will bring great satisfaction. Adjusting sustainability levels in your garden will save money, contribute to your health by reducing chemicals in your life, and help heal the environment.

How To Breeze Through the Winter With Minimal Upkeep In Your Garden

The Garden Furniture Centre The Garden Furniture Centre
How To Breeze Through the Winter With Minimal Upkeep In Your Garden

Last winter heavy snows wreaked havoc on many areas of the U.K., closing schools, suspending power, and blanketing homes and gardens.  This year the “Beast from the East” has caused a £520,000 overspend on winter services in Bradford alone.  Don´t despair however, winter maintenance can be made easy for your personal garden with the use of some precautionary measures. Whether you are protecting your existing plants or looking into what vegetation might best survive the winter, there are several alternatives open to you.

Keeping Clear of Debris: Low Maintenance Options …

When it´s cold outside, nobody wants to spend a lot of time working on their lawns.  Luckily, it is not necessary. Briza media grass is a low maintenance choice, as it flowers from May until June and clean up is only necessary in August.  Carex grasses are an easy option as well, only needing to an occasional rake over the winter months. For true ease of maintenance try artificial turf, which will keep your lawn looking green and tidy while holding up to the elements all year long.  Keeping the environment in mind, you can even repurpose the lawn turf when it has seen better days.

Don´t Neglect Personal Care When Gardening …

When you are out in the cold, tending to your garden you want to feel comfortable and protected from harsh winter elements. Put some thought into those layers.  For example, use pants that have knee padding already sewn in.  Protect yourself from any whipping winds by using a windproof and waterproof jacket.  Always remember to protect yourself with a hat and gloves.

Decor That Holds Up All Year …

Outdoor sitting areas are easier to care for when they can stand up to the elements. Furniture made from hardwood like teak is much more durable as it does not expand or contract as much when the temperature changes. Teak’s natural oils protect its surface so less upkeep is necessary throughout the year. Eucalyptus is another great choice in hardwood as it is resistant to rot and insect damage. However, it does need to be treated.

This winter bundle up and with your scarf and jumper, light the fire, and get the water boiling to make some tea.  Also, remember to use these simple tips to keep your outdoor space just as cozy and easy to care for as your indoor space.

How to Create a Seamless Transition from Indoors to Out …

The Garden Furniture Centre Home Design Ideas
How to Create a Seamless Transition from Indoors to Out …

One major benefit of seamless home design from the inside out is that residents and guests are able to enjoy the flow of the property, with each new arch or doorway bringing subtle but mood-altering differences. First-class home design doesn’t have to be confined within four walls, though – with some strategic design updates, the internal warmth and character of a home can be fused with the natural beauty and tranquility of the outside world.

Harmoniously combining indoor and outdoor design can be tricky, as you don’t want to jeopardise the feel or practicality of either space – but the personal rewards that come with getting this right are undeniable. Below, we’ve outlined some key considerations to bear in mind when creating a ‘transterior’ area in your own home – where the divide between inside and outside spaces becomes all but nonexistent.

Create a logical layout …

When coming up with ideas for your transterior space, make sure to acknowledge important natural considerations, such as sunlight, shade and exposure to wind, to ensure external factors like these don’t get in the way of achieving the outcome you have in mind. Design elements such as furniture and accessories are completely within your control, but the elements unfortunately aren’t!

You can install large patio doors to create the illusion of additional space, which can be further complemented by floor-to-ceiling windows. For the ultimate transterior impact, though, consider actually removing a wall altogether or replacing it with support columns. This update allows physical barriers separating the interior and exterior to be eliminated completely, creating an airy, open space.

Make sure to choose your entrance point carefully, as open-plan indoor/outdoor spaces work best when they’re fluid in design, so that movement throughout the entire space is natural and unobstructed for guests and homeowners alike.

Plan with a purpose …

The ultimate transterior space should create a greater sense of freedom in the home while also simplifying any pastimes you enjoy here – and depending on your unique needs and ambitions, this space can serve a variety of worthwhile purposes. For example, in a functional extension such as a garage or conservatory, plant-lovers can kit out this space with sturdy garage shelving units and fill these to the brim with potted plants and terrariums, as well as all the gardening equipment they’ll need to keep their flora looking its best all year round.

Other popular options include al-fresco dining rooms, kitchen or barbecue areas, outdoor bars with stools placed for a breakfast or cocktail with a difference, and pool and bathing solutions (think huge shower heads, moat-like swimming pools which spread into the property itself, and baths surrounded by plants and stones for a long, relaxing soak).

When it comes to deciding on how exactly you’ll use your transitional space, the key is figuring out what will bring you the most joy, be the most practical and offer the most cost-effective outcome – in terms of both the initial build and future maintenance.

Make use of complementary materials …

For a flawless transterior space, harmoniously marrying up indoor and outdoor elements is, of course, key – and by choosing materials which fuse naturally with the surroundings, this can be done easily. Consider sourcing wood and stone locally to mimic natural elements indoors and achieve this sense of harmony.

If locally sourced materials can’t be used in the build for whatever reason (be it cost, practicality or anything else), try to incorporate them as additional features – for example, by introducing natural rock partition walls or a living wall made entirely from lush plant life.

You should also ensure that the colours of the materials used are in fitting with both the property’s existing qualities and the neighbouring views. Make use of blues on higher surfaces to complement the blue of the sky, and introduce warmer colours like reds and oranges to make ground-level spaces feel warmer.

Find furniture that works for you …

wicker-furniture

Wicker furniture is an ideal option for a natural-look living space, as it’s made from wood and is comfortable all year round – especially when paired with some cosy, earth-tone cushions. Water fountains and potted plants help to breathe life into the area, while adding a beanbag or two creates a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

By taking a creative approach to breaking the barrier between the indoors and outdoors of your home, you can build a property you love spending time in every day and improve its value in the process. For example, by simply adding decking to your garden area, you can increase the overall value of your home by up to 2%.

So, what are you waiting for? Get started on your transterior home improvement project today.

6 Amazing Garden Furniture Ideas for Small Spaces …

The Garden Furniture Centre Garden Ideas
6 Amazing Garden Furniture Ideas for Small Spaces …

What to do you when you have a small garden & still wish to make it modern and stylish?

Well, it’s not that difficult if you think about it. With a little imagination and some simple planning when selecting the furniture you can create an eye catching space no matter how small it is.

Below are just a few ideas for inspiration.

IDEA # 1: STORAGE BENCHES:

A Garden Bench is always an attractive addition to any outdoor space but benches with storage included also solve the problem with available space where small areas are concerned.

strorage benches in small gardens

IDEA # 2: BISTRO SETS:

Bistro Sets are just perfect for any small garden. The word ‘bistro’ is closely associated with smaller spaces and this type of garden set generally has a lot of character in their designs, particularly if you shop around.

garden bistro sets in small spaces

IDEA # 3: SINGLE CHAIRS:

Let’s face it there’s nothing like relaxing in a comfy chair involved in your favourite pass time or simply just whiling away the time. And in smaller spaces a well presented chair can make all the difference to the atmosphere.

small chairs for small gardens

IDEA # 4: BENCHES:

Garden Benches are, in many ways, quintessentially British.

And the great thing is there such a vast array of different designs out there that you are guaranteed to find something that suits perfectly.

In smaller spaces they also offer a compact option for more than one person to sit and enjoy the outdoors.

IDEA # 5: CONVERTIBLE FIRE PIT:

Fire Pits have come a long way since the concept first came about and now they come in a whole host of different designs and sizes.

In smaller spaces a table and chair set with a Fire pit built in offers the perfect solution for alfresco dining in the summer months.

IDEA # 6: LANTERNS:

Outdoor Lanterns look great in smaller spaces as they are decorative both in design and for bringing the space to life when they’re in action.

Again there is loads of choice here so shop around to avoid disappointment.