9 IDEAS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE
It’s National Gardening Week and to celebrate, we’ve been admiring some of the inventive ways people are using their gardens and outdoor spaces during lockdown. Never before have we all appreciated quite so much the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time outdoors. If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor space, no matter how big or small, take a look at what people have been up to during lockdown and perhaps it will inspire you to get creative outside!
1. GARDEN GLAMPING
Check out this amazing bell tent. Based in the beautiful Peak District, the Lynn family love to travel and explore and so, like many of us, have found lockdown life frustrating. But to bring the spirit of adventure to their home, they (well, their kids did who are just 6 and 4 years old!) put up this bell tent in their garden. Not only does it mean they can sleep under canvas, but it’s become a great space for the kids to do craft and their schoolwork. Jardin de Camping anyone?
https://peakdistrictkids.co.uk/
2. MERMAID MOSAIC
If you’re artistic, why not try to make a piece of art for the garden. Jilly and her daughter Daisy are in lockdown together in Arbroath, Scotland. Jilly is an artist and Daisy works in a gallery and together over 10 full days they created this colourful glass, ceramic and shell mermaid called ‘Merri’. After years of collecting bits of crockery, pottery, shells and sea glass, the pair finally felt the time was right to put their finds to good use. Daisy says: “It has been so wonderful to work on a project together. ‘Merri’ is a welcome addition to the area and we hope she offers some optimism and joy. She certainly makes us smile and has been embraced and made welcome by everyone - from 2 meters distance of course.”
Instagram @daisy_sto
My mum's artist Facebook page is 'Jilly Henderson Artist'
3. BALCONY MAKEOVER
We love a before and after makeover and this balcony in Islington, London has been completely transformed. For just £75, Jess upgraded her small balcony using artificial grass, bamboo fencing and material. We all agree that it’s looking very classy. Nice work, Jess.
4. THE CONVERTED SHIPPING CONTAINER
Need more room? Then take some inspiration from this. Leeds based florist Daisy Hoban has moved a huge, turquoise shipping container into her garden and is transforming it into an art and floristry studio. The first steps are preparing the floor and framing the inside ready for insulating. She says: “It's going to be a big job but I’m super excited for decorating it and going full on creative and having an art studio with flare.” Good luck Daisy, we can’t wait to see the finished studio.
5. OUTDOOR CINEMA
Interior lifestyle blogger, Olivia Edwards-Silk has created this outdoor home cinema in her back garden. We love all the little touches, from the fairy lights to the sign telling you what film is now showing. Grab the popcorn and settle down to watch the stars of film while you’re sitting under a sky of stars.
Stay cosy with bits & bobble hats!
6. CLEARING THE JUNGLE
Perhaps your garden is in no fit state to start creating home cinemas or to camp in because it’s just so overgrown. Now’s a great time for a simple garden makeover and that’s just what blogger foodfitnessflora is doing. From the pictures, you can see Flora and her boyfriend Fiann (@fms.fossils) certainly have their work cut out as the garden has been pretty neglected in places. But they’re making some great progress and Flora says she’s really feeling the benefits of gardening, which you can read about on her blog
| https://foodfitnessflora.blog/2020/04/07/we-all-need-a-little-more-greenery/ |
. Keep going Flora and Fiann.
7. POD LIVING
Jess in Bristol has a pod in her garden which has become her sanctuary during this time. She says: “The oasis of calm it provides from open plan living has been immeasurable. It’s also been the perfect 5 o’clock gin club host venue - my love for this inanimate object just grows!” Sounds bliss. Perhaps we can pop round for drinks when this is all over?
8. KEEP CALM AND CAMP OUT
Steve, TOG24’s Area Manager in the North East, hasn’t let the lockdown spoil his plans for a father and son camping trip. Steve told us: “Me and my son Joseph love to camp out and we had planned on going over to the Lake District this summer on the motorbike and camping out for a couple of nights. But under the circumstances we just have to make do with the back garden. But we did get to toast marshmallows on the firepit.” Steve says don’t let not having all the camping gear put you off. “If your just camping in the garden, don’t bother with sleeping bags or airbeds,” he says. “Just use an old duvet each as its much more comfy and just fold it in half."
9. BEARDY GARDENER
Whilst in lockdown it's not only super fun but also really beneficial to be in your garden or out with nature 🌱 Gardening is the perfect hobby for all the family to enjoy to bring some light relief, colour and smiles all round during these tough and unsettling times. I'll be showing you how to get started from the very basics in gardening to some of my favourite and more unusual plants that I adore 🙂
