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Embracing minimalism in the garden

If you have decided to embrace the notion of minimalism and integrate it into as many areas of your life as possible, then you probably started with your living space. However, with summer drawing closer, it’s time to give your garden some thought, and there’s something very beautiful about a garden that makes use of the minimalist aesthetic. Gardens can get very messy, and out of control plants are the enemy of the minimalist lifestyle. As with your interiors, the broadest way to imagine the best end-result for your garden is to embrace the concept of Less is More, and that’s a lot easier in your outdoor area than you might have expected. Of course, you will need to pay attention to your garden if you do transform it into something more suitable, as any overgrowth detracts from your minimalist feel. With a little care and attention though, your garden could end up being your favorite part of the house.

For the dining space

You don’t have to get rid of the barbecue, but you will probably want to give some thought to your dining area. One of the best ways to get the full minimalist effect immediately is by installing decking. For those with the resources, elevated decking looks stunning and is absolutelyin tune with minimalism, giving you a detached yet warming space to enjoy good food and good company. Once you’ve decided on the foundation of your outdoor eating area, you’re going to need to look at the garden furniture. Old and damaged chairs and tables are going to detract from any atmosphere that you create, so it may be time to either clean them off or replace them completely. If you do go for replacements, then don’t opt for those ostentatious options. You want clear, clean lines in the color scheme for the garden design that you’ve decided on.

The Greenery

Some minimalist designers are opposed to even the notion of grass in the garden, but while there is a case to be made, it’s often a good idea to keep it green. While grass does, of course, need some looking after in order tokeep its borders, the greenery can be usedin a variety of ways that will complement your design ideas and give you those much-needed splashes of color that can make all the difference. The importantthing to remember when it comes to deciding to opt for using grass in your outdoor space is to keep it trim, as it needs to be crisp at all times. The overall effect that you want to aim for is that it needs to look like a carpet rather than something natural. You should also remember that having the right plants can work wonders, and when used in the right way, they provide a fantastic and dynamic contrast to your decking and paths.

Lighting

Lighting is often underutilized by those hoping for the minimalist feel, but to do so neglects to take into account some of the incredible effects that the right lighting can provide. Once you’ve decided on your plans, it’s time to look at how you can complement your designs with the right lights. There are a huge variety of options that you could go for, and always remember that any existing features that you have can be highlighted or used to create fantastic shadow effects that will only be visible when the sun goes down. Make sure that any steps are well lit, and make some decisions about hanging lights or those that are mountedtothe walls. Remember to keep your usedspace as free from clutter as possible, and make the best use of subtle lighting you can find.

Using water

Having the right water features can transform the more sterile areas of your garden, making them feel more alive.Water features are one of the most popular additions to the minimalist garden, and one of the majorreasons for that is due to the calming effect that water can provide. You could choose to install a new fish pond, exuding a sense of tranquility that will add that calming effect to your garden. Also popularis the water fountain, which areavailable in a variety of styles and can provide the calming sounds of trickling water. Again, this is going to come down to the space that you have available, your budget, and the design that you’re working towards, but just because you’ve opted for minimalism, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get creative with your installations.

Storage

One of the most important things to do once you’ve decided on your garden design is to clear the space. Toys, rubbish, and vehicles should all be removed or hidden, and if you’re struggling with ways to hidethe clutter, then it may be worth installing a space that can be usedfor storage. Sheds and outdoor buildings are available in a variety of sizes and styles, and when it comes to installing garage buildings metal garage customization could be the way to go. Look at the options available, andeven if it means that the buildingbecomes more of a focal point than you intended, the most important thing is to hide excess garden furniture or whatever else is cluttering up your outdoor area. Due to the range of styles, sizes, and designs available, it’s never been easier to customize your outside buildings so that they fit more naturally into your new garden atmosphere.

Stick to a theme

Once you’ve decided on your theme, it’s vitalthat you stick to it. The most important factor is to use the same materials throughout your garden, as anything too different will stand out and detract from the overall effect. If you used light woods for your decking but were considering re-fencing in a different type of wood, then give some thought as to whether minimalism is the right option for you. It’s far better to have that uniformity, as minimalism is all about the seamless integration of space, and the less variety of materials, the more your minimalism will make an impact. Thisextends to the future changes as well, and if you’re opting for features such as paving, then you’re going to need to lay them as precisely as possible. Precision and exactness is the key to your finished effect.

The borders

Thisis one of the most importantelements of your garden space,and should be the starting point of your design ideas. Boundaries are essential when it comes to minimalism, and that’s because one of the keyfeatures of the aesthetic is that of restriction and control. You are controlling your environment, and that means that your borders are never to be understated. Look at your fencing, your walls, and your hedges, and make sure that they are clean, fresh, and of course, in the same neutral colors throughout. Often, you don’t have to worry about time-consuming paint jobs, as your bare woods and plain metals may be the best foundation possible for your finished garden. Use your hedges and the edges of your garden to create exciting textures and evening shadows, and you’ll be pleased with the end result.

Once you have decided to design your garden around the minimalist philosophy, look at some of the best online examples and get some inspiration. People often think that minimalism means throwing everything away, but that is simplynot the case. With a little creativity and effort, your garden could be the natural extension to your minimalist interior.

Alec Neufeld is a retired builder, now freelance writer and part-time general fix it man. He has strong opinions on the use of alternate energy and is also an avid sports enthusiast.

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