If minimal watering and maintenance sounds like your cup of tea - you've come to the right spot!
If you enjoy the look of a garden but aren’t much of a green thumb, then you’ve come to the right place. The good news is that there are so many different ways you can create a low-maintenance garden so you can enjoy the outdoors with minimum effort. Here are just a few low-maintenance garden ideas to get you started.
Low-water plants: There are many low-water plants that don’t require much maintenance at all and are super easy to care for, especially if you lead a busy life.
Artificial plants: It might seem like a bit of a cheat, but adding artificial plants to already existing low-water plants is an easy way to get a greener garden.
Hardscaping alternatives: There are many hardscaping alternatives such as outdoor dining and living areas that are the perfect idea in a garden area that you want to use for entertaining rather than a place just for plants.
Check out these low-maintenance garden ideas to inspire your home’s foliage.
1. Outdoor dining
First, we have this gorgeous outdoor dining area. Utilise the space you have to accommodate more people when you’re in a social mood. Enjoy afternoon tea or a hearty meal with good company in a breezy open space.
If you are someone who loves spending time outside but prefers to relax rather than tend to a garden, then this low-maintenance garden design is for you. Gazebos lend an effortlessly elegant look to a space. You can use the shade as a lounging or dining area.
Deck the perimeter of your lawn with greens. It makes for a luscious wall of calming colour. It’s easy to water every other day, depending on the kinds of plants you choose. Ornamental grasses, blue star junipers, and catmints are great low-maintenance garden plants to start with.
Using artificial plants is the quickest way to the ultimate low-maintenance garden. Artificial grass works well in a courtyard-type garden that would usually be a difficult place to mow. Artificial plants in planters are also a great addition to indoor gardens, especially if you have pets around.
Another great plant idea for a low-maintenance garden is to choose plants that don’t require too much water. Have a look at the convenient tags on the plants at your local garden centre, and they will tell you the optimal condition for each plant. Usually, desert plants like succulents will work well in an area that may get forgotten. The good news is that if you do forget about watering for a while, it won’t be detrimental to the plant.
Here’s another artificial low-maintenance garden idea. If you love the look of topiary trees but don’t want to have to go through the hassle of trimming them to shape every week, then perhaps faux topiary trees would be a good idea.
Want just the bare minimum? Roll out the grass for an easy mow and water every now and then. Plus, you’ll never have to worry that the look of grass going out of trend in landscape design due to its simplicity.
Don’t have a backyard for a garden? Decorate the entrance of your home with low-maintenance plants like boxwood shrubs that thrive in sunlight and grow slowly, so there’s no rush to trim it often. Add potted plants, too, so you can redecorate easily without uprooting any of your greens.
If you really aren’t a gardener and need the most low-maintenance garden possible, then why not replace your garden space with an entertainment space? Chat with a landscaper whose speciality is decking and hardscaping to create a space that is perfect for you.
If you don’t have much space for a full garden but want some greenery in your home, then potted plants are a great option. They can help soften a space, making it feel more homely and welcoming.
Groundcovers are a great option for low-maintenance plants. They grow low and need little to no trimming, plus they spread easily. If there are some patches of soil where grass doesn’t grow well, this is the perfect alternative.
Afraid of your lawn looking too bare? Add a pathway with slabs of stone for visual interest. Pair it with artificial grass for an effortlessly neat garden.
Cacti are great alternative garden plants. The low-maintenance types of cacti often need well-draining soil and sunlight. They also require scarce watering every three to four weeks.
If you’re wondering how to border your gardens but still want to keep a natural look in your low-maintenance garden, you can use sandstone rocks around the border of your garden. This design helps to finish off the edges neatly. Plus, due to sandstone being a natural material, it will still look great in years to come.
If you want your garden to be as low maintenance as possible, then why don’t you just create an outdoor area to relax in rather than worrying about plants? Set up an outdoor shower and spa space where you can watch a movie or two under the stars.
If you’re not into constantly moving your plants around for the perfect amount of sunlight daily or you live in an apartment, you may want to invest in low-light plants. Philodendrons, snake plants, spider plants, and monsteras are some excellent examples.
Keep your greens concentrated in one space for easy watering. Find an optimal space in your home to install your green wall. You can work with plants in crates, climbing plants, or even artificial plants.
If you don’t want to have to worry about a lawn, then adding a pebble base to your garden is a great idea. You can keep some plants in your space for that extra pop of colour.
Palm trees are the perfect low-maintenance addition to your garden if your home is in warm weather. They may need some initial care and frequent watering, but once they’re established, they don’t need much to thrive.
If you’re wanting to add interest to your garden, then garden borders are a great idea. Keep your lawn clean and easy to maintain with a sprinkling of water around the perimeter of your home.
Not too keen on grass for your garden? Lay down marble tiling for a luxurious design and deck the edges of your space with plants to get that green still in.
Hopefully, these low-maintenance garden ideas inspire the lush open spaces of your home. If you’d like to elevate your garden, connect with local professionals near you to get it done in no time.
Discover 20 amazing allotment ideas to grow your own food, learn gardening skills, and enjoy a sociable environment.
Keen to grow your own fruit and veggies, but just don’t have the space at home? You’re not alone. In fact, one in eight Brits has no garden at all, let alone enough room for food crops. But that’s where allotment gardening comes in.
In this article, we’ll explore garden allotment ideas that will inspire you to make the most of your plot. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, these ideas will help you create an amazing garden allotment that yields fresh and delicious produce.
What’s an allotment?
Allotments are small portions of local land made available to individuals for the non-commercial growing of food plants. They’re rented from the landowner (usually the local council) for a very reasonable, essentially nominal sum. And allotments enable you to grow food crops in a friendly, sociable environment, alongside allotment neighbours.
Allotment gardening has become very popular recently, as more people look to grow their own food, free of pesticides. And at the same time, enjoy a fun hobby for the whole family with guaranteed fresh air and exercise. Given the increased demand, there are often waiting lists for allotments. But it depends on where you live as some areas have plenty of vacant spots.
Let’s say the happy day has arrived that you are informed that you have been granted an allotment plot. Your plot will likely be wild and overgrown, but fear not; this is a good sign that your soil is fertile!
Before you get stuck into the fun part of allotment planting and watching your crops grow, you’ll need to tidy up the plot first. This involves removing old growth, fertilising well and setting up your on-site storage and equipment needs. (You’ll need gardening tools like forks, spades, a wheelbarrow, and a small shed to store everything safely).
Collaboration is a fundamental aspect of allotment gardening. Here in the UK, even if your local council has no allotment land available, you can make an application requesting allotment land if you get together with six or more others on the electoral roll.
Your local authority must consider it, although there’s no specific timeframe for them to provide land. But the more support you have from other keen potential allotment gardeners, the more persuasive your application will be.
What’s best to grow in an allotment garden?
Armed with the knowledge of what grows well in your area, your decision on what to plant will come down to what you would like your family to eat.
The amount of time you are prepared to tend your allotment is also something to keep in mind. Consider all the “cut and come again” veggies that will give you successive harvests through the same season, all from the same plant.
One of the best allotment ideas is to plan leafy greens, beet greens, salad vegetables like lettuce or celery, spinach, tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, basil, and garlic. Perennials are also excellent allotment plants. They live for more than two years and return each spring from their rootstock.
Practical tips for allotment gardening
In this section, we’ll provide you with a couple of practical tips to make the most of your plot. From planning the layout to choosing low-maintenance crops, this allotment guide got you covered.
Plan the best layout
Before you dig, review your existing plot and draw up a plan on paper. You’ll need to think about the following considerations to layout an allotment:
What type of soil do you have? This will determine which plants will grow well. Other plot holders can probably help you with this, but if not, you can purchase soil testing kits at a garden centre.
What kind of plants are there already? If there are any established, you may wish to keep some crops that you’ll want to eat.
Are there any useful existing structures such as raised beds, trellises, compost areas, pathways, sheds, greenhouses, or cold frames? Think of what you will want to add.
The elements – how the sun travels over the plot, how the wind exposure is, and if there are any shaded areas.
Access to water and fertiliser may be communal, or it may be your responsibility to establish systems.
After going through all these, it’s a case of deciding on the best layout for your purposes. You’ll find plenty of inspiration for allotment layout ideas online!
Choose your structures
Raised beds are trendy because they are attractive, soil quality is easier to manage, and they will ensure you automatically get nice straight pathways in between.
Create low-cost raised beds using recycled materials or buy ready-made planter boxes. Either way, you’ll love the benefits and the neat look of a raised bed allotment.
Many gardeners also recycle other kinds of materials to create beds, such as wooden pallets or old bathtubs. If you’re going for raised beds – whether the sides are constructed from bricks, wood, metal, or concrete blocks – you’ll need to make sure the edges are sturdy. This will reduce maintenance and minimise weed invasion. Adding a surrounding layer of gravel will also help prevent weeds.
If you don’t wish to install a raised bed, you might want to consider low-cost, more flexible planters made from collapsible materials. Some examples are “farm in a sack” polypropylene soft planters and fabric pots.
Figure out a watering system
Your allotment plot may share utilities like water, or it may be up to you to sort out your irrigation needs. Check with your council if you wish to install a proper water tank to collect and store rainwater. There may be subsidies, rebates, or government grants available to help with purchasing and installing water tanks.
On the other hand, you can get away with harvesting water in many different creative ways. Many people choose recycled plastic drums or similar vessels. You can always harvest rainwater from the roof of a shed, and store it in clean ex-fuel drums that are connected and fitted with a tap.
Aim for a low maintenance plot
Since you won’t be spending time daily at your allotment, you’ll want to work out ways to make sure your plot is easy to maintain. Choose low maintenance crops – ones that won’t spoil if they aren’t harvested at a crucial window in time.
Luckily, when it comes to something like watering, it’s fine to water your allotment for an hour once a fortnight, rather than trying to get there often for more frequent watering. You could even use simple tricks like sinking bottles beside the roots of your larger plants (e.g. corn), which you fill with water that will slowly disperse into the root zone.
However, if there comes a time when you cannot tend to your allotment, you could opt to hire someone to help maintain your garden.
Make use of all the space
How much space you have obviously depends on the size of your allotment. Many allotments are pretty large (typically 250sqm!), but they are also often rented out in half or even quarter size plots.
If you have a smaller allotment, you’ll want to extend your space by growing upwards and horizontally. This can be done through trellises and climbing frames, or stepped raised planters. This tiny section of an allotment makes great use of space!
Add mulch
Mulch is your friend for reducing moisture loss through evaporation, improving soil nutrients, reducing soil erosion, and minimising weed growth. You can either use organic mulch (biodegradable, such as grass clippings, cardboard, and wood chips) or inorganic mulch (e.g. river rock and gravel).
Another type of inorganic mulch that’s often used very effectively in allotments is plastic mulch, a Polyethylene film that insulates the soil.
Just because you’re renting the plot doesn’t mean you can’t make cosmetic improvements to enhance your experience! You don’t have to build permanent structures, but you can go ahead and add elements that appeal to you that you can easily dismantle in the future.
Here, we’ve gathered 20 allotment ideas to get you started on your allotment gardening journey. There are practical tips on planting and some more decorative ideas to enhance your enjoyment of your plot. Let’s dig in!
1. Look into rooftop allotments
Rooftop allotment is a great allotment idea not only because they are already popular in other global cities but are becoming more common in the UK. Urban agriculture has developed, and landowners are looking for more ways to use city space effectively.
The advantage of a rooftop allotment is installing raised bed planters on top of existing hard flooring. There’s no need to create paths or deal with weed incursion.
2. Set up a tool storage solution
You’ll need some structure to house your garden tools securely. A small metal shed with a good padlock will be the safest bet to keep expensive equipment out of sight. Your shed area is also perfect for setting up a little nursery for propagating plants from seeds and cuttings.
A portable pallet tool station could also make life easier, especially if your allotment plot is a decent size. Who wants to be individually schlepping a bunch of heavy tools around the plot when you can wheel them all wherever you need them? At the end of a gardening session, it can be parked back in secure storage.
3. Create a play station
Allotment gardening can be a bonding experience for the whole family! But if your kids are at an age when they get easily distracted, one of the best allotment ideas is putting together a designated play area. You might want to add a sandpit or mud kitchen or some kid-sized gardening tools and buckets so they can tend to their own little plot while you’re gardening.
Source: RODNAE via Pexels
4. Craft DIY garden markers
Don’t lose track of what you’ve planted and where—always add markers to your garden. There are gazillions of tutorials on Pinterest for inexpensive, homemade garden markers that you can use in your allotment. There’s no need to spend too much money on markers because they’re cheap as chips to make.
5. Install a butterfly feeder
Setting up a butterfly feeder is another great idea to add beauty, life, and colour to your allotment plot. Butterflies add charm as they flutter around you while you work.
Butterflies are also essential for helping pollinate many plants. A feeder is simple to make (again, there are thousands of tutorials on Pinterest, so you’re sure to find one you like). You fill them with nectar and let the butterflies do the rest.
Add fragrance to your allotment and improve your home cooking by growing plenty of herbs through your plot. They’re also brilliant for repelling pests (for instance, sage will deter cabbage moths). Plus, did you know that growing herbs beside other veggies will enhance the veggies’ flavour? Basil, for example, when grown next to lettuce and tomatoes, beautifully enhances their flavour.
7. Look into companion planting
Essentially, companion planting is the idea that some plants like growing near each other while others prefer not to. It’s all about complementary plant relationships and making the most of your allotment space. Benefits include better nutrient uptake, improved pest management, enhanced pollination and ultimately higher yields.
Conversely, planting members of the same plant family together means they’ll compete for soil nutrients. So it’s best to disperse them across your plot (for example, related plants like onion, garlic, leek and chives). You’ll find a wealth of information about companion planting online.
8. Build a bug attractor
Some insects are super important for gardens! They’re vital for crop pollination, and there is slime that will eat more destructive pests (or actually live inside the host pest and eat it to death…charming!).
Add a bug hotel to your allotment garden so these beneficial insects can have an inviting home. You can find ready-made kits to buy or construct one using your imagination and a range of materials suited to nesting. Furnish the “rooms” with various materials like deadwood, loose bark, and straw.
Building durable paths between your beds is important to provide access to all areas of your plot and to link functional areas. Never fear because you don’t need to spend a fortune on paths. Simple bark chips or inexpensive gravel paths are great. You could also use pavers to lead the way. Don’t forget to make your paths wide enough to allow a wheelbarrow through.
10. Go for that “neat” look
You can construct planters and raised beds from so many materials. If a neat-looking allotment appeals to you, square or rectangular metal planter boxes might be the way to go.
Metal choices include aluminium, galvanised steel, or even cast iron. Metal planters can be strong and look attractive against your greenery. However, you need to be careful about the sun potentially overheating the soil and damaging your plants. Make sure to use a plastic liner and always guarantee good drainage.
11. Insulate your plants with cold frames
There are many ways to extend your harvest, even if you live somewhere with a shorter growing season, and one of them is by building cold frames. You’ll often see cold frames used in allotments, as they’re a wonderful way to absorb solar energy and protect your plants in colder months. It’s similar to a greenhouse but isn’t designed for you to walk through.
A cold frame is essentially a box with a transparent lid or cover. You grow your seeds, young plants, or rooted cuttings directly in the frame before transplanting them to the garden beds. Sinking your cold frames into the ground by a foot will also enhance heat retention.
Popular in allotments, polytunnels are a great economical alternative to greenhouses. They similarly protect plants from seasonal changes, dramatic weather, and pests. Polytunnels are large, elongated, walk-in tunnels with galvanised steel frames covered in plastic sheeting. They’re perfect for your lettuce, tomatoes, and berries!
Make your allotment garden three-dimensional by growing crops on trellises. These always look awesome and won’t take up precious ground space. Heaps of fruit and vegetables can be grown on a trellis, such as beans, peas, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, berries, grapes, and even watermelons.
14. Bring your A-game
The A-frame style of the trellis is another option, commonly used for growing crops like climbing beans. Trellises and frames provide plants with support, free up ground space, and make veggies easier to pick. Not to mention, the look of plants winding their way up trellises and climbing frames is very pleasing. Here’s a simple one made of bamboo:
15. Make an arch
Another plant that loves a good trellis is butternut squash. You can even grow it to form an archway, and the heavy veggies will just dangle lightly as though defying the laws of physics. Growing upwardly saves so much ground space, creating charming spaces in your allotment. It’s definitely worth factoring into your allotment garden layout.
16. Build a DIY potato planter
Planning on growing root vegetables? Save yourself the backache of digging with a DIY raised planter designed explicitly for harvesting crops like potatoes. You can find plans for these online with detailed assembly instructions—or maybe outsource the project to a carpenter.
17. Make use of DIY cloches
Pest and disease control is an essential aspect of allotment gardening. You’ll need to check over all your plants to handle any problems regularly.
Growing plants that are known to be resistant to local diseases or pests is a good start. So is using preventative measures like wire perimeter fencing (against rabbits) or cloches and netting for insect pests. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to make your own cloches to protect your plants.
You can also purchase wire cloches for protecting plants against thieving birds, but honestly, save yourself the expense and make your own with chicken wire. There are plenty of tutorials on Pinterest, and they’re a very basic DIY.
18. Build a triple compost bin
Compost production will be part of your allotment gardening duties. Depending on the size of your plot, and whether you can join composting forces with allotment neighbours, a domestic compost bin may suffice. You might end up building an open compost bay, like a DIY triple-bay compost bin. These triple bays contain one bin for fresh scraps, one for decomposing material and one for usable compost. Note that open compost bays need the weekly turning of compost to create a hot, rapid compost and to minimise rodent breeding.
Don’t forget to think about installing some seating – preferably under a tree or small pergola for shelter. It’s perfect for taking a break or drinking a refreshing beverage during your allotment gardening sessions. A designated space to have a sip from a thermos while chatting with allotment neighbours is great for fostering new friendships.
20. Install vertical gardening
Do you want to add a touch of modern flair in your allotment? Then you might want to explore the trendy technique of vertical gardening. By utilising trellises, vertical planters, or wall-mounted containers, you can grow climbing plants like cucumbers, beans, or tomatoes in a creative and space-efficient way. Not only does vertical gardening maximise your yields, but it also adds a stunning visual element to your allotment garden.
Start building your allotment garden
There you have a stack of allotment ideas that should enhance your experience of allotment gardening, and hopefully ensure a bumper harvest! Over to you – have you caught the allotment gardening bug yourself, and have perhaps already put your name down on the list with your council? Or are you an old hand at allotment gardening? If so, please share any tips and tricks you have in the comments!
Whether it's your laundry room, boot room, flower room or more, our utility room ideas show how it can be both useful and stylish
It’s usually a multifunctional space with a combination mud or boot room, sports equipment repository, warehouse, plant repotting centre, and of course a laundry function as well. So it’s no surprise a utility room can sometimes tend to look a little overworked and underpaid. The utility room ideas here are set to change all of that though with these modern and stylish examples.
The main things you’ll be thinking about are clever storage. Ideally, you’ll have a mix of open and closed cabinets to accommodate the wide variety of items that you’ll likely be storing. You’ll also need to consider how much surface area you want, for tasks like ironing or clothes folding or maybe plant maintenance.
Whether you have a generously sized utility room or a modest utility cupboard located in the bathroom, I wanted to share some of my favourite chic utility room ideas with you. Let’s get into it…
A utility room isn’t necessarily always a laundry room. Some people choose to set up their utility room mainlyas a boot room or mudroom, especially if the room connects to a back exit. Typical features of a mudroom include wooden or upholstered benches, oversized lockers for storage and coat hooks to take advantage of the wall space.
2. Make it as useful as you like
If you’re lucky enough to have a large utility room to play with, you can make it fulfil as many useful functions as you please. Boot room, flower/mess room with sink, and laundry room in one, the utility room design should ensure every inch of space is put to good use. Ideally, there’s so much storage you’ll never know the meaning of “clutter” again.
Clever utility room design allows you to pack a lot into your space. From a mudroom bench with overhead and underneath storage, to a bank of washers and dryers with countertop space and cabinets. Opposite, add loads of ceiling-to-floor storage and still more counter space. Perfect for organising everything into its own place. A ceiling clothes airer is also a useful addition to any laundry-focused utility room, keeping the floor uncluttered.
Stacking your washer and dryer on top of each other is a popular solution when you only have a small utility room as it takes up less floor space. And to keep things even more streamlined and further reduce visual clutter, many people like to conceal their laundry appliances behind a space-saving sliding or folding door. Ideal for apartment living where space is at such a premium, tucking your laundry appliances behind cabinetry doors means you can put it all out of sight and out of mind once you’ve caught up on the washing (should that actually ever happen..!?).
5. Create a utility cupboard
If you don’t have a completely separate utility room, or maybe only have an unused section of a bathroom to work with, you can still create a highly useful utility space. Simply create one in a closet space and tuck it away neatly behind folding louvre doors. Arranging your shelves so you have a designated permanent home for all your necessities will help keep things neat. And having plenty of white in the palette will visuallyenlarge the space too.
Have a utility room that’s really more of a corridor? When it comes to narrow utility room ideas, you really want to take advantage of the full height of the space with ceiling-high cabinets and shelving. Shaker peg rails are also another very useful and simple utility room storage idea. Add in a strip of stunning encaustic cement floor tile and a bold pendant light and you have a very stylish utility room indeed.
7. Have functional flooring
No matter whether you intend to use your utility room mainly as a laundry room, or as a boot room or maybeas a flower room for potting up plant babies—the flooring needs to be really durable. Stone, tile or polished concrete is ideal.
8. Decorate with wallpaper
Decorative features and finishes will transform your utility room from spartan and utilitarian to practical but pretty. A dash of colourful wallpaper adds personality and vibrancy to a plain space. So why not pick your favourite print—you can even paint your door frame in a complementary colour. To ensure your wallpaper is lined up and installed to last, find a professional near you to help with your wallpaper hanging.
9. Pretty it up
Create a serene laundry room that feels more like a haven to escape to than a place to do boring old chores. It may be through having a soft, calming, dreamy colour palette. Or, you might modernise Shaker cabinetry with modern black pulls. Or maybe add a stunning tile splashback or floor tile, tactile soft furnishings and a few decorative elements. And don’t forget baskets—always handy for adding storage room, they also add warmth and texture to what is sometimes a clinical arrangement.
Steal the look of the boot room in the home of the McGee’s, America’s contemporary design darlings. It shows off their signature style: soft colour palette, shiplap walls, marble countertop, stainless steel tub with high arch faucet, industrial-style lamps… All come together to create a lovely modern farmhouse aesthetic. Add a canvas laundry hamper baskets on handy wheels—so practical. Want more farmhouse inspiration? Take a look at these farmhouse bathrooms, kitchens and bedrooms.
11. Design it for comfortable use
Don’t like the stacked appliance look? Having the washer and dryer side by side does mean you lose floor space. But the upside is that they can be placed at an ergonomically correct height. Ergonomics is one of those things that we can sometimes completely forget to factor into our interior design, but it’s so important. Especially when it comes to a task like doing laundry which can involve a lot of reaching and bending. Having your washer, dryer, shelving, countertops and ironing station set at the exact correct height is something to bear in mind when designing your utility laundry room. You can always get a professional to install your washer and dryer at just the right height for you.
12. Add peephole storage
Excellent storage is imperative for your utility room. No matter whether its function is chiefly as a boot room or it’s more of a laundry room, inevitably it will contain other overflow household items as well as task-specific equipment. For utility room storage ideas, an expert in custom shelving can help you work out your ideal, space-saving storage solutions. One possibility is peephole storage where it’s super easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. Simple hooks increase your storage opportunities, even just to display some simple décor like a trailing plant and cute containers.
When it comes to utility room design, lighting is important to create a bright, clean and inviting space. If your utility room is also a boot room, you’ll want to have plenty of light to be able to keep it shiny and clean rather than dark and dirty looking. Multiple light sources are a good idea too if there are several different task zones in your utility room.
14. Make a statement with tile
Make statement floor tiling the star of your utility room. Utility rooms are usually small spaces so they’re perfect for adding a little pattern and impact with beautiful tiling without breaking the bank.
15. Add a tiled splashback
Just want to add a subtle bit of colour or pattern? Then a splashback area of your utility room is ideal for incorporating a little beautiful statement tile. And when concealed behind a sliding door, it makes for a welcome visual surprise too.
Love the vintage-inspired farmhouse look? For a utility room with nostalgic vibes galore, opt for pastel-painted cabinets and workstation, retro metal stools and patterned floor tile. A soft mint is always a lovely choice for a utility room. Rows of baskets, glass jars and canvas hampers are both practical and look lovely and neat as well.
When it comes to compact utility room ideas, one of the most popular is to enclose the space with bifold or concertina doors, which can ideally be opened from either side. Visible hinges can add a repetitive decorative metallic element which complements tapware and adds elegance to the space.
18. Install open shelving
If you’re the kind of person who likes to be able to see all their supplies to make things super easy, then some kind of open shelving system will likely appeal the most. And if your utility room is basically a corridor, then ceiling to floor shelves will of course maximise your storage space. Give yourself the option of concealing some items though, by including some cupboards with doors or simply adding baskets.
19. Hide everything
On the other hand, if you have more of a utility passage than a room as such, you might like to keep it really streamlined, so it doesn’t feel poky. In that case, cupboards with doors have their advantages. Other narrow utility room ideas include maximising storage with ceiling-high cabinets and shelves. And conceal your appliance stack along with anything that falls more into the “useful” than “beautiful” category.
20. Make it feel spacious
Sticking to a cool, bright white and light neutral palette will ensure your utility room feels fresh and spacious. Or try a pale pastel colour, like powder blue walls. It looks especially lovely against blonde parquetry floors. Setting out a solitary pair of boots can signal the room’s intentions nicely. Even if the rest of your shoes should be neatly tidied away with purposeful storage.
21. Add a bench
If you have enough space, benches are always a great addition to a utility room. Having a bench and a ledge above with hooks is a practical utility room storage idea that takes full advantage of your entire wall space. And under the bench can also be used for extra storage. Open hutches under the bench are perfect for shoe storage to prevent mustiness. If you only have closed cabinets for your shoes and boots, it’s a good idea to drill air holes in the front.
22. Add a dash of contrasting black
If you have a bright white palette, give it a contemporary edge with black or deepest charcoal or navy accents, such as in the door colour. Or you might like the look of a black washing machine. And if you’re going for a minimal, monochrome aesthetic, then balance a wall of useful storage on one side with a simple bench, basket and broom vignette on the other.
If your utility room leads to your back door, you might like to consider installing a Dutch door. These look quaint and charming, especially when painted in a lovely pastel hue. Cute tiling can add a quirky touch as well. If you want some custom painting, get an expert to take care of the paint stripping to get it all prepped and ready. And then they can handle the painting as well – so you won’t even have to lift a finger!
24. Make it cosy with a rug
Even if you only have a very narrow space, a soft vintage runner adds a pop of colour and pattern while adding a layer of comfort. Just add a wooden stool for added charm.
25. Add interest to the walls
Give your utility room charm and character by fancying up the walls. Consider wallpaper, wainscoting or a beautiful new paint job—sage green is a popular contemporary choice. Framed vintage pictures will add visual interest.
26. Go for white plus blonde wood
You can’t go wrong with a coastal style utility room that is simple, organic and full of light. A mix of pale timber and lots of white will do the trick. Just ensure there’s a decent amount of storage and plenty of counter area. To keep things extra streamlined, consider recessed pulls for drawers.
27. Go for a contemporary vibe
For a gorgeous utility room which is fresh, clean and modern, opt for a classic combination of timbers and marble. Keep things basic and functional but still chic by opting for a simple black and white colour scheme and streamlined design.
28. Make it a flower room
A utility room can really be anything you want it to be. If it’s close to your back door and garden, you might be wanting to use the space to carry out plant care tasks as well as handle the household laundry needs. A large farmhouse sink will be a big advantage in that case. And if you keep your washer and dryer side by side rather than stack them, it will create more usable counter space.
And that’s a wrap on my selection of ideas that show how utility rooms (and even the most compact utility spaces) can do their job and look good doing it. Do you have a utility room and if so, what are its functions? Let me know in the comments!
Host your next outdoor party with ease with a functional and creative outdoor bar.
Adding a bar to your garden is a great extension of your home and can almost add the feeling of another whole room to your home. See what I mean with these outdoor garden bar ideas I’ve collated for you.
As the weather starts to warm up, I’m sure you are becoming more and more inclined to spend some much-needed time soaking up the sunshine outside. So why not do all you can to make your garden as welcoming as you can, not only for guests but also for yourself?
Whether you want to complete a full renovation with a kitchen area and outhouse or prefer to keep things simple with a stand-alone feature, a garden bar will transform your outdoor area into a destination and give you a reason to entertain.
1. Bar on the terrace
This quirky Elm bar on the terrace is a fabulous way to create a space for relaxing in a limited area. Perhaps if you live in the inner city and don’t have a garden, a terrace would be an ideal place to sit back and chill after a busy day. The flowering pot plants add that garden vibe and a vase of flowers on the bar table adds that little bit extra. Simple wooden crate shelving is perfect for house drinks and glasses. Hanging wine glasses are a great space saver and a very hygienic way to store them in an outdoor setting.
Looking for a way to spruce up a themed outdoor gathering? This backyard bar is a great addition to your set-up! The vintage luggage decor and neon sign also give this bar some personality and fun.
3. Mancave garden bar
When I think of a man cave in the back garden, I think of a workbench, a few tools and a small bar fridge filled with some nice cold beers. You can take your man cave to another level by adding some sturdy fittings, a stunning bar bench and classy bar stools. Don’t forget to stock your bar fridge with a variety of spirits. Looks like the boys may not come home for dinner.
4. Beach bar
To enjoy that seaside vibe in your back garden, you can easily create a beach bar reminiscent of those warm, tropical holidays you have had abroad.
You can take advantage of casual outdoor furniture, which can give your garden bar a more relaxed feel. And this is the most low-maintenance garden ever if gardening is something you don’t want to spend too much of your free time doing.
5. Wood and bamboo
I love the simplistic and neat look of this bamboo bar. The wooden stools also give this a tropical island look, ideal for refreshing piña coladas on a hot day!
6. Bar stools
Enjoying comfort on a bar stool can be hard to find, so these bar stools with back support are fabulous. They also have a footrest which saves you from weary, dangling legs whilst enjoying a nice cold ale with your friends. The simple wooden slatted bar is perfect to keep building costs down.
This garden bar idea also works on gravel, which means no lawn maintenance too! See more garden gravel ideas that you can use in your garden.
A whiskey barrel makes the perfect bar table in your outdoor eating area. Not only is a whiskey barrel sturdy, but it is also the perfect height to sit on a barstool to have a tipple. Imagine the history and stories your barrel could tell. It is just a barrel of fun, really.
8. Classy charcoal
A modern, classy home deserves a modern, classy bar. You can’t go past charcoal colours for a truly classy look, and this bar is a simple and gorgeous addition to this outdoor area. A drink is always more enjoyable with quality glassware. A responsible bartender offers water with drinks to keep his or her guests well-hydrated.
Mood outdoor lighting creates a warm, welcoming and inviting mood in any outdoor garden bar and eating area. I would love to welcome friends over for an evening barbeque. They would feel relaxed and at home as soon as they enter this calmly lit garden.
10. Summer skies
A garden shed doesn’t always have to be used as a garden shed. It could be your very own garden bar. When the sun shines in the summer sky, I’m sure all your friends and family would be happy to gather in a beautiful outdoor entertaining space. Installing a shed can be perfect to house all your bar needs, and the door keeps everything protected in bad weather. Paving makes the whole area practical and easy to keep clean.
11. Tiki bar
The Tiki bar originates from tropical cultures, most commonly Polynesian. Bringing a bit of Polynesia to your garden with this cute little bar would inspire you to make some super tropical cocktails with delicious coconut rum. A simple wooden structure added to an existing outdoor patio and adding a straw fringe would easily transport you back to a dreamy south pacific holiday.
12. Wine o’clock
This is definitely my favourite time of day. Wine o’clock suggests it’s time to stop work, relax and chat about the day you’ve had. You could make any outdoor wall into a bar, and I love the use of rustic wood and clean straight lines to create a neat and organized bar.
13. I am gin-vincible
I am strong… I am gin-vincible. Gin is a very on-trend drink at the moment, with so many boutique gin distilleries popping up everywhere. So why not create your own gin bar in your garden? You could even use a couple of wooden crates to achieve this look.
Champagne means celebrating. And I think every single day should be celebrated and celebrated in style. I can imagine propping myself onto the bar stool with friends and cheering when the first cork is popped. This beautiful space has been carefully designed with an indoor-outdoor feel, open enough to feel like you are sitting in the garden.
15. Birthday bar
Adding a happy birthday banner to a bar really says, “let’s get this party started“. This is a great way to decorate for a birthday by adding balloons and photos of the birthday girl or boy.
16. Bar shed
Tin and wood together are classic materials that can be used to build the best outback and rustic style shed. Having bar stool seating on either side of a bar bench makes for easy conversation. Adding bar paraphernalia creates humour and quirkiness in your space.
17. Fairy light courtyard
Fairy lights just make any outdoor area look lovely and welcoming. Also, when the evening is a little more balmy than usual, some sausages grilling with a cold beer in hand sounds perfect too.
18. Bright colour scheme
Walking into a bright and colourful would instantly feel like some fun was about to be had by all. Whether grabbing your favourite beverage from the bar or dancing the night away, you’re bound to have a fabulous time!
19. Matching brickwork
This neat garden bar has an outdoor grill built with matching brickwork. Can you imagine enjoying an afternoon barbecue with the family and possibly drinks straight after? I know I can!
20. Sports bar
Well, if you can’t watch football while having a drink, what has the world come to? Under the bar is a great storage place, and those cushions will come in handy as the evening goes on. Don’t forget to get a hand with your TV installation.
21. Matching bar and spa area
Who would ever want to leave home when you could kick back and relax in this fabulous outdoor entertaining area? Imagine sinking into that warm, bubbling spa with your favourite drink in hand while soaking up the last warm rays of sunshine. Oh, the bliss!
So there, we have 20+ garden bar ideas to assist you in planning out your new favourite addition to your garden. I especially love the garden bars that have been styled in a beachy way, as you can bring the tropical island holiday right to your garden. What were your favourite styles? Let’s grab a drink and chat all about it below! Cheers!
