Garages are out, but home pubs are all the rage – what to do and not do in gardens in 2024

SUMMER cottages, vegetable gardens, fire pits, bee hotels and robotic lawnmowers are now essential features of British outdoor spaces.

A survey of 2,000 people with gardens revealed what’s popular – and what’s not – in the country’s backyards.

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Space-consuming garages are a thing of the past, in favor of full-fledged water fountains or a beer garden-like atmosphere.

The research revealed what our spaces look like: the average garden is 23.5 metres long and is home to no fewer than 13 different plant species.

This is because 57 percent do not use outdoor space as often as they should.

Nearly half (47 percent) think it is important to use the space for outdoor dining, while a third (34 percent) say they would host gatherings more often if they had a nicer garden.

The research was commissioned by SharkNinja, which aims to give Brits the confidence to make the most of their outdoor spaces and fire up the barbecues by hosting free pop-ups across the UK in July and August.

Tracey Scully, managing director of the British home appliance brand, said: “Our research shows that people aren’t using their outdoor spaces as much as they should. We wanted to give people the chance to see how they can easily transform their garden into a welcoming hotspot with small, simple changes.

“Adding a cooking station for outdoor dining is a great way to get people out into your yard.”

The garden survey also showed that 44 percent of respondents grow their own fruit and vegetables at home.

Another 15 percent are concerned that their outdoor space is not as clean Nice Like everyone else, almost nine in ten (87 percent) find it important to have an attractive outdoor space at their home.

But a third (34 percent) admit they would host more summer gatherings if they had a nicer garden, according to figures from OnePoll.com.

To help improve our outdoor spaces, SharkNinja has teamed up with award-winning interior designer, journalist and stylist Anouska Lancaster to share her expert tips on how to make simple changes to transform our outdoor spaces into a guest paradise this summer.

GARDEN TIPS FROM ANOUSKA LANCASTER:

Introduce playful colours – Outdoor spaces offer us the opportunity to be bolder and more experimental with colour and pattern.

Choose cheerful colours such as yellow, green or pink that will brighten up your garden. If you are afraid of going too bold, you can introduce an accent colour with soft furnishings.

Create a low seating area with comfortable chairs. Expand your home by creating an outdoor space with comfortable, casual seating for lounging.

Cover an old patio with an outdoor rug or create a sunny spot in the garden. Then build your new ‘room’ around it.

Bring that pub garden feeling into your home – Why eat out when you can prepare your own pub meal outside this summer?

Grills and smokers make outdoor dining a breeze, even for the biggest home cooks like me.

Garden tips and tricks

Go for a grand table setting – Don’t be afraid to go big with your furniture and accessories, even in a small space.

To complete the look, you can decorate the table with placemats, napkins, lanterns and, if possible, fresh flowers in various jugs.

Once you have chosen an accent colour for your summer garden, you can also incorporate this into the decoration of your table.

Light up your space – Creative lighting can transform your garden and maximize its potential as an additional space to enjoy in the evening.

Personally, I love the ambiance that string lights create. They provide enough light to eat and drink, but are subtle enough to create a warm and relaxing atmosphere.