At the start of the new year we take a look below at some of the trends for gardens for 2023. The garden has become an even bigger part of the home as we are spending more time at home for work and leisure.

Renovations

This year many people will be adding to their garden space rather than looking to move home due to higher interest rates. Making their gardens a beautiful oasis to relax and enjoy time with family and friends rather than doing the garden purely for kerb appeal.

This can be achieved with a total new garden design or by adding features to your existing space like a new patio or decking area in a beautiful spot in your garden or buying a fire pit or installing a new pergola.

If not planning a big makeover, you can add to what you currently have in your garden to create the right mood with new lighting, string lights look great, or by adding new cushions to your existing furniture or painting your fencing to introduce a new colour or look to your garden. The colour of 2023 according to Pantone is Viva Magenta.

Wellness Gardens

Gardening can be a great stress reliever. Being outside in the fresh air is very relaxing and therapeutic, helping us to feel more positive and hopeful. Make your garden a secret sanctuary by creating a calming space to relax and unwind. Plant beautiful, scented plants to stimulate the senses. Create a shaded area for peaceful contemplation. Add some seating or a water feature as the sound of water is very soothing.

Environmentally Healthy Gardens

We are moving away from last year’s ‘rewilding’ approach. Wildlife and insects don’t care if our gardens look wild or are more formal. They are looking for shelter, food sources and habitat and they don’t care how our gardens look to find it. This can be found amongst a wilder relaxed garden or achieved in a more structured space.

Growing vegetables in urban gardens is on the increase and you don’t need a massive space to do this. Raised beds work very well, however if you are tight on space these can be grown in window boxes. Trailing strawberries hanging down from a window box look good and taste great too!

Using Natural Materials

With the importance of nature and the environment there has been a rise in the use of natural materials for garden projects. These materials help create a natural look and can prove relatively inexpensive. Adding rocks or pebbles to garden beds or installing a natural stone pathway to meander through your garden.

Bringing the Inside Out

Using the same or very similar materials to flow seamlessly and bring the inside out. Look at installing the same materials on the floor of your kitchen that follow out to your patio outside. Similar furniture and colours that you use in both your home and garden.

Outdoor Living Rooms and Outdoor Kitchens

Following on from bringing the inside out, outdoor living rooms and outdoor kitchens are going to be big this year as people plan to spend more time entertaining at home. If not a full outdoor kitchen look at adding a pizza oven or fire pit.

Pergolas and Going Vertical

To make the most of the space in their garden we are moving vertically in our gardens. Installing pergolas with climbing plants, fence shelving or living walls to add more greenery.

With the Summers now getting a little warmer, pergolas provide a bit more shade and extend your living space. You can create a new entertainment space and add definition to your garden. By adding screens or drapes you can increase privacy.

Garden Sculptures

Adding artwork through a sculpture in the garden is a growing trend for 2023. Adding personality to your garden and providing a focal point. Drawing the eye to an area of your garden that might otherwise be overlooked. Sculptures are also good conversation starters.

These are just some of the trends for this year. Design is a very personal choice and you can take ideas from these or have your own.