In the busy modern world, we often think that we don’t have time to just sit down and enjoy our surroundings. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden of your own, it’s very easy to take it for granted. It can so often become something which you simply glance at through the window as you go about your day. Yet the average garden is a microcosm of the natural world; a tiny snapshot of the lives of local wildlife, flora and fauna. It can also be a precious haven away from the hustle and bustle of daily life – and it’s all just outside your door!
Here are just a few things which you can do to enhance your garden and make it a more pleasurable place to be.
Making a comfortable space:
It’s obviously important to be at ease whilst outside enjoying the warmer months. The more comfortable your surroundings, the more time you will want to spend in them. Many people like to simply spread a blanket on the lawn, lie down and relax. However, this may not be ideal for everyone, particularly the elderly or those with mobility problems. It could also be quite painful if the ground is fairly hard or bumpy. Other options, such as deck-chairs and temporary garden stools, can be awkward to use and uncomfortable to sit on for any length of time. As an alternative, a garden bench is often a good compromise between comfort, functionality and style. It’s accessible for everyone and offers a level seat which is easy to keep clean and won’t degrade over time if you look after it well. Being away from the ground will also keep you, your clothes and any other items from being damaged or soiled. You can bring out books, newspapers, a laptop or even a tray of tea and cakes to enjoy ‘al fresco'!
Creating a mood:
If you’re spending more time in the garden, you might like to decide what kind of mood you want to create. Do you want a fresh, open view of the whole garden, or would you like to hide away quietly behind a leafy screen? This will help you decide where to put your bench and also perhaps what sort of plants you wish to have around it. Wooden benches fit into almost any garden setting unobtrusively, blending into the garden over time. This is true of both wild, untamed plots and those with a more structured look of neat flowerbeds and trimmed lawns. You can pick a style of bench which matches these features, and even choose an appropriate colour. If you only have a small space to work with, there are many ways of using a bench as a focal point for a small area. By training some climbing plants up a trellis or other covering, you can form a bower or arbour in which to sit, making a natural barrier which will still let in the sunlight. Depending on the plants used, you can also attract bees, butterflies and even small birds to share your space.
Whatever you decide to do, the important thing is to enjoy your time in the garden and appreciate the many benefits to health and well-being that it can bring.
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