Spring is the time most people start thinking about their outdoor space again. The days get longer, the temperature climbs a bit and suddenly the garden looks like somewhere you actually want to be. This guide covers the practical stuff, what to buy, what to set up and how to make your outdoor space work properly from April through to the warmer months.
Starting With the Basics
Before you buy anything or move furniture around, walk around your space and figure out what's actually missing. A lot of people rush into buying things they don't need. Take five minutes to think about how you use the space, whether that's eating outside, having people over, letting kids play or just sitting with a coffee in the morning.
Once you know what you want from the space, the rest of it gets easier.
Shelter Comes First
The one thing that ruins outdoor plans more than anything else is weather. You can have the nicest garden furniture going but if there's no shelter you'll be inside the moment a cloud shows up. Sorting out some kind of cover should be one of the first things you do.
A pop up gazebo is one of the more practical options for most gardens. They go up quickly, you don't need tools and most of them pack away into a bag when you're done. Good ones will handle light rain and give decent shade on a sunny day. If you're having people over for a garden party or a barbecue, having a gazebo up means you're not constantly checking the weather app.
The size matters more than people think. A 3x3m fits maybe six people comfortably. If you're planning bigger gatherings you probably want to go larger or consider two.
Furniture Worth Thinking About
Garden furniture gets treated badly. It sits outside in the rain, gets knocked around and then people wonder why it looks rough after two seasons. Buying something decent upfront usually works out cheaper than replacing cheap stuff every couple of years.
Rattan sets are popular because they look good and handle the weather reasonably well. Aluminium frames won't rust. Hardwood like teak is solid but needs treating every year or it starts to grey out. There's no perfect option, it's about what suits your space and how much maintenance you're willing to do.
Cushions are worth investing in too. Waterproof ones don't feel as soft but they survive a lot better.
Lighting Changes Everything
Why It Matters
Most people forget about outdoor lighting until they're sitting in the dark. But good lighting extends the time you actually spend outside, it means evenings in the garden become a real option rather than something you pack up when the sun goes down.
Solar lights have got a lot better. Five years ago most of them were pretty weak but now you can get decent brightness from solar-powered string lights, path lights and lanterns. The only downside is they need a full day of sun to work well, which in spring can be hit or miss.
If you want something more reliable, plug-in or wired lights are the way to go. Takes more setup but you know they'll work.
What to Actually Buy
String lights over a seating area make a big difference to how the space feels. A few lanterns on a table add a bit of warmth. Ground-level path lighting is practical and helps people not trip over things after dark.
Don't go overboard. A few well-placed lights work better than loads of cheap ones everywhere.
Dealing With Shade Properly
Shade is underrated. People think about it in summer but actually in spring when the sun is lower in the sky it can hit your seating area at annoying angles. Having a way to control shade makes a difference.
An electric awning is a solid choice if you've got a patio attached to the house. You press a button and it extends out to cover the area, no faffing around with poles or pegs. It's a more permanent solution than a gazebo and honestly a lot more convenient for everyday use. Most come with wind sensors now which retract them automatically if it gets too breezy, which saves a lot of stress.
The installation side of things is worth thinking about. Most electric awnings get fixed to the wall of the house and need a power supply nearby. Worth getting someone to fit it properly rather than trying to DIY it if you're not confident.
The Outdoor Kitchen Question
Is It Worth It
More people are building outdoor cooking set-ups and it's easy to see why. Cooking outside and eating outside makes the whole thing feel more relaxed. You're not running back and forth to the kitchen.
It doesn't have to be a full outdoor kitchen with a sink and worktops, though that does exist and people do build them. A decent gas barbecue on a trolley, a side table and somewhere to put your drinks is enough for most people.
A pizza oven has become popular in the last few years. They're not cheap but if you use it regularly the novelty doesn't really wear off. Wood-fired ones take a bit of learning but the results are genuinely better.
Storage and Prep Space
One thing people always underestimate is prep space. Having somewhere to put plates, put down dishes, chop things up makes outdoor cooking a lot less stressful. Even a fold-out table helps.
Outdoor storage for your cooking kit also matters. Keeping gas canisters, utensils and covers somewhere dry means things last longer and you're not hunting for stuff every time you want to use it.
Plants and Greenery
A garden doesn't feel like a garden without plants. That sounds obvious but a lot of people focus entirely on furniture and hardscaping and end up with a space that feels a bit flat.
Spring is the best time to get plants in. Perennials start coming back, you can plant bulbs that will flower through summer, and pots on a patio can be packed with colour relatively cheaply. Herbs in pots near a cooking area are practical as well as looking decent.
If you don't have much time for gardening, low-maintenance plants are the move. Lavender, rosemary, ornamental grasses, most of these look after themselves once they're established.
Flooring and Ground Cover
The ground surface of your outdoor space affects how it feels and how much maintenance it needs. Grass is fine but high-traffic areas tend to get worn and muddy. Decking is popular, it looks good and feels warm underfoot, but it needs treating and can get slippery.
Porcelain paving has got popular recently because it's low maintenance, doesn't stain easily and holds up well. It costs more upfront but you're not sealing it every year.
Gravel is cheap and drains well. It's not for everyone but in the right space it works.
Rugs
Outdoor rugs are an easy way to define a seating area and make the space feel more like a room. They've come a long way in terms of durability and you can get decent-looking ones that handle rain and are easy to clean.
Making It Feel Like Your Space
The practical stuff matters but the details are what make a space feel like it's yours. A few things that make a difference without spending much, a small water feature adds sound and draws birds in, a fire pit or chiminea extends evenings into autumn, hooks or a rack for kids' outdoor toys keeps things from getting cluttered.
Think about what would make you actually want to use the space more often and start there. The best outdoor setups are the ones that suit how you live, not the ones that look good in a catalogue.
Spring doesn't last forever so it's worth getting things sorted before summer properly arrives.