Gardening is a popular hobby across a wide range of age groups. Many people find pottering around the garden tending to plants and weeds or trimming their boundary hedging extremely therapeutic and relaxing. More and more people these days are also creating garden allotments and growing their own produce. For others, however, any form of gardening is a chore, not remotely enjoyable, and only done when their garden is becoming overgrown or unsightly.
If you fall into the latter category, the good news is that with a bit of planning, you can have a stunning contemporary garden that requires little to no upkeep! Here are 3 ways to create a modern, low maintenance garden.
Ditch the grass
If you have ever looked at a neighbor or friend’s lush green, perfectly formed lawn and wondered how they managed to achieve it, the answer, in short, is time and effort. When grass is first laid and has grown to a decent level, it will look lovely. The bad news is it doesn’t stay that way unless you spend a lot of time maintaining it. It requires regular watering to protect it from drying out and also needs to be cut and edged regularly.
If you want a lawn that looks amazing but requires no maintenance at all, then artificial grass is the way to go. It costs a bit more than regular turf but will last for years and save you lots of time and hassle. An artificial lawn specialist will provide you with lots of samples and a price list. It’s not a good idea to buy anything from the bottom of the range as, if it is very cheap it will look cheap too. A lawn that looks like a blanket of plastic with obvious joins won’t look remotely appealing. Some of the most expensive artificial lawns can look just like the real thing, so stretch your budget as far as you can, and it will be worth it in the long run.
In terms of maintenance, just hose once in a while to keep it looking fresh and to remove any spills or stains. The days of using your lawnmower will be over, and your grass will look perfect every single day.
Add some modern touches
If you are going for a modern feel, then adding trendy, up to the minute accessories will help to complete the finished look.
Rattan effect furniture is very popular these days and comes in a host of different designs. The best part is that it’s maintenance-free – a quick hose down once in a while will suffice. Plump cushions in an array of different colors will add to the modern theme and help to create an inviting and comfortable seating area.
A contemporary water feature is a great way to add a wow factor to your garden. A modern fountain, for example, will not only create an amazing focal point but, once fitted, will require little to no maintenance.
Outdoor lighting is another great maintenance-free option to brighten up and modernize any garden. Large lighting cubes look elegant and modern when place along paved areas whilst lots of clustered fairy lights can make a garden look positively magical.
Once the sun goes down your garden will be transformed into a beautiful and welcoming space that you can’t wait to spend time in.
Add some low maintenance decking
If you have always wanted decking but been put off by the idea of having to treat and stain the wood every year, composite decking could be exactly what you have been waiting for.
Composite wood is made with synthetic materials and natural hardwood. When combined, it results in a decking that is far more visually appealing than plastic and which requires far less maintenance than normal wood. It looks modern and, even better, is practically maintenance-free! It doesn’t need to be stained or painted and, due to its composition, won’t warp, crack or fade in the sun.
Wood deck when wet can become very slippy and dangerous. Composite decking is far more slip-resistant, so you won’t need to worry about any accidents occurring. It comes in a wide range of colors and, if you wanted to, you can also have lights fitted.
Many people use composite decking to create boundary planters around the perimeter of their garden which adds to the modern, sleek look and coordinates amazingly with their choice of deck. If you want a modern maintenance-free decking then go for this – you won’t be disappointed.
