How are your New Year resolutions getting on? If you’ve gone down the same route as many others, you could have cut out smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol, decided to head down the gym more often, or even tried out a new hobby.

And it’s not too late to commit to something else either. Whether you’re a garden newbie or love to get your hands dirty around the flower beds, spending time in your outside space is relaxing, therapeutic and highly rewarding.

So, why not give it a go? This year thousands of British homeowners will leave the confines of their home to try and smarten up and improve their garden – giving them extra space to enjoy and entertain. Why not you?

Here are some of 2018’s trends you won’t want to miss out on – see if any are right up your street.

1. Garden projects

If you really want to transform your garden (or think it needs a clean slate to start over), you may want to consider a long term project to really get yourself off on the right foot. With any garden project you need to start at square one – the design. You’ll want something that’s practical and manageable, but above all else, looks incredible. But how do you get yourself going?

It can probably seem a little daunting, especially if you’re not traditionally green fingered. That’s why bringing in some help is often the best course of action. Millhouse can help you with all the finer details – the colours, the shape, the textures, what features you include – and so much more. In no time at all you could be wandering around your own outdoor paradise.

2. Alfresco living

Alfresco living and dining is becoming more and more popular as the years roll on, and if you haven’t joined the club, now’s the time to. Want to enjoy entertaining and relaxing in your garden, but don’t have the space or setup yet? Why not spend the early part of 2018 getting your garden ready for the summer?

Us Brits have drawn a lot of inspiration from the Mediterranean lifestyle, with barbecues, garden furniture and accessories all becoming mainstay features. Now you need to bring that style and sophistication with it. Consider a paved or decked area, with mood lighting, a sunken fire pit or even outdoors pizza oven. It’s really easy to turn your garden into an extra part of your home – so consider the possibilities.

3. Grow your own

Homes growing their own vegetables was all the rave a few decades ago and then died off a little as the convenience of supermarkets and grocers took over. Now it’s back with a bang. More and more people are moving to a plant-based diet, with vegetarianism and veganism on the rise. Even those who are meat lovers also tend to be looking at the healthier options available to sustain a balanced and nutritional way of living.

And your garden could be the source for all things veg. For starters you could choose to install a greenhouse – more than sufficient for increasing your crop yields, including the entire bean family, squash and pumpkins. Then there’s traditional salad leaves, tomatoes and every type of herb to consider. An outdoor vegetable patch could also provide your family favourites – potatoes, carrots, parsnips… the list is almost endless.

4. Healthier gardens

What makes a garden healthier and your plants better nourished? A good compost. If you’ve been thinking of adding a compost bin or heap to your outside area, now’s the perfect time. It’s really easy to get started too and won’t set you back a lot. A simple compost bin will suffice and then it’s all about adding to over time with your left over food waste and garden debris.

Vegetable peelings, fruit, teabags, plant pruning, grass cuttings, fallen leaves… they’ll all combine to create a superb compost to better your soil. Just remember to give the waste a good turn over every now and then to speed up the process, whilst making sure the heap remains moist.

5. Healthier you

Where could we finish up than with the very traditional New Year’s resolution of becoming a healthier you? Whether you’ve sworn to gyming four times a week or want to get yourself to the local swimming pool on a Sunday morning, a general improvement in fitness is one of the most popular resolutions of them all.

However, you don’t need to leave home to achieve this. Have you thought of a home gym or even pool? If you’ve plenty of space to spare in your garden, it’s easy as pie to turn that into a useful area – with a simple home extension or indoor swimming pool the perfect way to combine fitness and property improvement. Plus, you’ll add a good chunk of value to your home.

At Millhouse we can help with all your garden woes, whether you want a complete redesign, to create a more aesthetically pleasing space, or a home gym or pool for you and the family to enjoy. Whatever your wishes, give us a call today and discover the possibilities.

We’re available on 01732 590130.