A summer garden is planned in winter and early spring, but January and February’s unprecedented wet weather meant many outdoor jobs got put on the long finger.
Now, garden enthusiasts are itching to get back outside to weed, plant and prep for the summer season. It’s the ideal time for maintenance as well as starting any bigger garden renovation or makeover plans.
For Pat Kelly, director of Outdoor Living (stand L38 at the PTSB Ideal Home Show), thinking about what you need before you begin is vital.
“Planning out each area of your garden, no matter how big or small, ensures you get a complete functional space that is practical all year round,” he says.
READ MORE
Whether you have got a blank canvas or a more mature area you would like to put a bit of shape on, a lot has changed in gardens over the past few years. Gone are the days of a strip of grass and maybe a few paving slabs. Now, we want beautiful outdoor spaces that function as well as they look.
“Irish people are investing more and more in their gardens in the last couple of years,” says Kelly. He says that while Irish customers have always liked outdoor furniture, we have moved on from the basic plastic patio set with a parasol.
Think multifunctional set-ups that include outdoor couches, dining chairs and tables as well as lounge chairs and smaller occasional tables. Materials too, have ramped up: power-coated steel, composite materials, hardwoods and cast concrete all add depth, texture and interest.
Awnings and bioclimatic pergolas are trending. “These create the perfect outdoor ambience, allowing for complete cover or partial shade, controlled by manual or automatic louvres,” Kelly says.
Indoor meets outdoor
Landscape architect Louise Checa (@lcla_landscape), sees increased demand for well-designed and usable garden spaces.
“For a long time, there was a disconnect between interior and exterior spaces,” she says. “Inside the home, design has become increasingly refined ... Outside, however, gardens often remained simpler, more neutral or purely functional. That gap is now closing.”
As Irish homeowners erode the boundaries between inside and out with home design that prioritises light and often includes large windows, we’re connecting with our gardens in ways we never did before.
Since the pandemic, Checa says, things have changed. “Gardens became an extension of the home, not just somewhere to sit occasionally but a place to work, relax, entertain and spend meaningful time.”
Kelly says the rise of pergolas and garden rooms has redefined outdoor living design over the past two years. “These structures allow for shaded or covered areas in your garden, allowing for that all-important extra living space.”
The basic barbecue has been banished in favour of more sophisticated options. “There is a strong focus on entertaining,” says Checa. “Outdoor kitchens are becoming more sophisticated and often bespoke, reflecting a broader shift towards treating the garden as a true extension of the home.”
For Kelly, you can’t go wrong with a really great pizza oven. “Irish people love them, and why not? A pizza ready in 90 seconds is something to be reckoned with,” he says.
Illumination too, has entered the chat. “There is a noticeable evolution in outdoor furniture and lighting. We now have access to much more refined and creative pieces, from portable lighting to bold furniture collections,” says Checa.
We’re also willing to spend more on items that offer longevity and weather-resistance. “Customers are looking for durable and sustainable materials and textiles, from certified timber to recycled fabrics,” says Kelly, who recommends you spend on deep seating for comfort, and layer in textiles such as cushions and throws for warmth.
He also says modular furniture has seen a huge upsurge, because it allows for more flexible layouts in outdoor spaces.
Modular design is close to Checa’s heart; she designs gardens as a series of flexible, layered elements that can perform multiple functions at once.
“Constraints, particularly in smaller urban gardens, can actually drive creativity. In Ireland, and especially in cities like Dublin, many gardens are compact, overlooked and highly constrained,” she notes.
“In practice, I start with a strong structure, a clear layout that organises how the garden is used. Then I introduce multifunctional elements such as bespoke seating, integrated storage or raised beds that serve more than one purpose.
“Ultimately, the modular approach is about creating gardens that can adapt, evolve and perform multiple roles at once.”
When it comes to planting, Checa is seeing a move towards more naturalistic, slightly wilder planting. “Clients are consistently asking for gardens that feel more relaxed, more immersive and closer to nature.”
This echoes a wider societal move towards sustainability. As we become more aware of the impacts of climate change, our gardens are adapting too.
“Biodiversity has become a central consideration for Irish gardeners. Almost every client now mentions pollinators, birds or wildlife from the first meeting. There is a clear awareness that gardens can play an important ecological role,” she says.
With a bit of forward planning, and clever design married with high-quality materials, finished with key accessories, Checa says that “even the smallest garden can become a highly functional, immersive and beautifully resolved space.”
For more information on the show and to register for free tickets, visit idealhome.ie.
