Guidelines for decorating your terrace or garden

Sometimes we do not plan enough the decoration of the outdoor areas of our home, which leads us to make mistakes that should be avoided. Depending on the use we want to make of it, we will have to make some decisions or others regarding the choice and distribution of the elements we place. In this way, we will obtain a space where we and our guests will feel at ease.

 

 What am I going to use it for?

Take time to think about what you intend to use it for the most. Sometimes we tend to idealise the possibilities of our space, but then it doesn't correspond to reality. This can be due to two reasons: one, the impossibility of carrying out the activities that we had planned for reasons beyond our control (for example, because they cause nuisance to the neighbours' community); two, that the frequency with which we organise these activities is far from what we expected. It is not the same to have one barbecue a year as it is to have one a week.

 

Caring for visibility

We probably don't have this problem in a flat, but if we have a house with a garden, planning the correct lighting of the space is more complex than it seems. It is possible that in certain areas we will not find any electrical point, so it is not feasible to install lamps or lanterns. Placing a more powerful bulb in another area is not a suitable solution either, as strong light spoils the ambience. In such cases, spotlights that are powered by stored solar energy are an option to consider.

 

Use the right furniture

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It may be tempting, given its lower usage compared to indoor furniture, to opt for cheap options. However, we should bear in mind that, unless we have a place to store them, they will be exposed to the elements. And it is not only the rain that spoils them: the sun, as well as considerable rises and falls in temperature, cause shrinkage and expansion of the materials resulting in a gradual deterioration of them.

On the other hand, think again about which ones are best suited to the use you intend to make of them. A space for having a drink, for organising a party or, on the contrary, for relaxing is not the same. Choose by prioritising functionality.

 

Care for harmony

Harmony

There must be a logical correspondence between the spaces and the elements that we will place in our terrace or garden. The most important thing is that it is a comfortable room, and above all, excess is the worst problem. If we fill everything with obstacles, it will be difficult to move around. Calculate the dimensions well and define areas for passage and use.

 

Right vegetation

A correct vegetation

It is clear that plants always add beauty to the rooms where they are placed and, at the same time, they even act positively on the temperatures of the environment. Therefore, we should choose those that adapt to the environment and to the dedication we can give them. If we are not going to be able to invest in their care, it is best to opt for those that need the least. And as in the previous section, we should always foresee the space they will occupy. Removing a tree that has rooted well is a complicated task.

 

Beware of the heat

It is important to take into account the orientation of the house, the hours when there will be sun or shade on our terrace, to install systems that manage to dampen the heat and radiation. Opt for gazebos, canopies, ivy, arbours, parasols, awnings… whatever best suits your needs and your budget.

 

Care for details

Think that cushions, lanterns and small decorations, in general, make the difference. If we are used to receiving visitors, we want them to make a good impression. However, always value, as we said before, functionality. There is no point in a beautiful item that gets damaged after a short period of use.