Designing a Garden for Entertaining

Entertaining guests in the garden is ever more popular as the weather becomes more forgiving, if still unpredicatable. It follows that garden design in light of this trend is increasingly incorporating an area or areas of entertainment into the design. Many people now enjoy gardens designed with dining areas, areas designated for children's play and seating areas for guests. Many of these garden designs are accentuated by aesthetic features and lighting for the pleasure of guests.

Garden Dining Areas The most popular entertainment feature of a garden is a dining area which is often created through the use of decking or a patio as it is generally impractical to have dining furniture on grass. In large gardens this feature is easy to build as an extension of the house and is often accessed through patio doors. It can easily be inserted into an enclosed or open garden to be enjoyed by family and guests alike. It may seem more difficult to create a dining area in a smaller garden but this can be done easily by professional designers, many of whom have created a variety of ways to make the entertainment garden work in a smaller space. The use of colour, different heights and lighting can make the garden appear larger. Other techniques such as the use of particular focal points and steps can also enhance the appearance of the garden. The available space can also be cleverly used if features have more than one use. If a garden has benches built in for seating or decking built in for garden furniture these built in features can also be used as storage space relieving the need in some cases for a shed. This can also make the garden appear more aesthetically pleasing as well as enable the garden to be kept tidy more easily as items may be kept under decking or under bench seats. Raised beds can also provide the additional seating as well as storage. Other focal points such as a fire pit can have a practical use as well as creating aesthetic delight. Design Considerations There are other aspects to consider when designing a garden for entertainment. For example a family with children may find some designs impractical when the garden is also to be used for children's play. Other garden owners may have other considerations such as allergies or how often they entertain and how they like to entertain. Garden design should allow for these considerations. For example the garden might have an entertainment area separate from the main garden or play area.

A couple who entertain regularly might want to focus on strong visual features such as a water feature and statues to create a welcoming and attractive entertainment area. The design should also reflect the taste and personality of the user. Such examples might include feminine touches for women who are the primary users of the garden or a masculine design with bold concentric shapes and foliage as opposed to flowers.

Garden Maintenance

When designing a garden for entertaining it is also useful to consider the amount of time and commitment users have in terms of the maintenance and upkeep of the garden. Here again, it is useful to consult experts in garden design who have knowledge as to which type of plants need the greatest care and what materials might be used to suit someone who requires a low maintenance garden, such as a synthetic lawn. Hard landscaping, easy care plants (such as those that retain water) and gardens that require minimal mowing are also part of low maintenance design. Low maintenance designs can often look as attractive all year round with the use of coloured panelling, assorted gravel, permanent features and slate as gardens that require a higher level of maintenance.

Location. Location. Location.

When designing a garden for entertainment it is also important to consider where the garden is located. If the garden is located in a suburban area it may be that to ensure the garden is aesthetically pleasing or a private space for guests it should be in an enclosed space. However the view from a certain point in the garden, such as the view of a park or river might be accentuated by exposing part of the garden to incorporate this view almost as an extension of the garden. What is also important to consider in terraced housing and gardens is the neighbouring garden and whether any work done in the garden may encroach upon others' space. Garden designers are aware of the complications and legalities that ensue from these types of design and can advise where necessary. One should also be aware that gardens are often perceived as an extension of the house and the design should complement the house and its design. House design tends to differ dramatically in urban, suburban and country areas and the design of the garden should reflect the trend that has been already established in the design of the house.

Although TV shows make-over gardens in a way that looks easy a good garden designer will carefully and conscientiously account for lifestyle, purpose such as entertainment, location, size of garden and ongoing maintenance.

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