6 essentials for planning a garden project

Summer is fast approaching. With the warmer weather comes lively BBQs on the lawn with friends and family, lazy summer evenings out on the deck with a good book and beautiful, colourful flowers in full bloom.

So, if you want to open your doors to outdoor living this year, it’s essential to get your garden looking its best.

Trex – the world’s number one composite decking brand – has been elevating outdoor spaces for more than 30 years and its team of experts has provided a selection of essential tips to remember when planning your garden project.

1. Timing is everything

The sooner you can start your garden project, the better. As we move into spring, landscape gardeners and contractors get booked up quickly. Demand is high and building material supplies will deplete as we move into the summer months.

Trex recommends planning your garden project as early in the year as possible to give yourself the best chance of booking your preferred tradesperson and getting the building products you want.

2. Golden Hour isn’t just for Instagram

Understanding where the sun hits your garden at various points in the day will have a big impact on your garden design. There’s no point creating a seating area that’s covered by shade for 80% of the day.

Planting will very much depend on the sun’s movements so you need to monitor this before starting any project.

3. Optimise your space 

Having a smaller garden doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t achieve what you want from a design perspective.

• Try to define different areas within it just like inside your home. Explore establishing separate areas for relaxing, cooking, dining and socialising. Pergolas are perfect for creating the look and feel of an ‘outdoor room’, maximising function and flow.
• Installing a ‘living wall’ can give the feeling of extra space. They provide a great spot to grow your favourite plants while also serving as an attractive addition to your garden, without taking up any extra space on the ground.
• Even a tiny space will appear livelier with colourful accessories, such as pillows, cushions, rugs in multi-coloured fabrics or hand-painted pots.
• Washing your outdoor space with a bold colour can make a small area feel congested. Instead, choose neutral tones as your backdrop and add pops of colour that can flex with trends. Even a tiny space will appear livelier with colourful accessories such as pillows, cushions, rugs in multi-coloured fabrics or hand-painted pots.

4. Create usable areas

Consider what you’ll use your garden for and how much maintenance time you can dedicate.

Decking is a popular choice for those looking to use their garden all year round and Trex composite decking is the ideal choice for those looking for a high-quality deck that’s built to last (with 25 and 50-year warranties) but low-maintenance. It doesn’t need sanding, staining, or sealing. Not only that, but it’s also mould, rot and split-resistant. Composite decking is great for any garden – whether you’re looking for an outdoor entertaining space or a solo sanctuary.

Trex’s joist tape – Trex Protect – even protects your wooden sub-frame, so your deck will last longer and is protected from rain, ice and snow.

5. Pick the perfect plants

Planting completes a garden. Bright florals, leafy shrubs, climbing plants, pots – there’s a multitude of options. Trex’s recommendation is to consult the experts. A landscape gardener will be able to advise on a planting scheme that works for your garden.

When starting the conversation, have an idea in your mind about the finished ‘look’, your budget and how much time you’re able to dedicate to upkeep. This will influence the types of plants recommended.

6. Bring the inside out

Inject your interior style into your garden space to create a seamless connection between the two spaces. Bringing the inside ‘look’ out can enhance your home’s aesthetics and functionality, help bring both areas together and make your home feel more spacious – all while encouraging you to use your outdoor space more.

A quick tip when it comes to decking design is to emulate your interior flooring out onto your decking. So, if you have a herringbone flooring design in your kitchen, you can create a beautiful, seamless flow out into your outdoor space by replicating that herringbone design in your decking.

When extending your home’s interior style outdoors, focus on mirroring the overall aesthetic rather than individual features. If your interiors are sleek and modern, opting for contemporary outdoor furniture will maintain your cohesive look.

The modern grey tones of Trex Signature Whidbey or Transcend’s Rainier perfectly complement the modern aesthetic. Pair this with the luxuriously contemporary Provence Rattan Garden Corner Sofa and Chair Dining Set from Barker and Stonehouse for the ultimate modern look.

For a more rustic exterior, pair Trex Signature’s Ocracoke with Graham and Green’s Fire Bowl and Wood storage for a natural, warm and traditional aesthetic.

For more information on Trex, visit: uk.trex.com/products/decking/ and follow the brand on Instagram: @trexcompanyuk.