IF YOU’RE GUILTY of running to the shops to buy a five-piece table and chair set for the garden as soon as the sun comes out, only for it to be used twice and left to rust for the remainder of the year, you’re not the only one.

Living in Ireland, where news of temperatures hitting past 17 degrees Celsius is enough to lift anyone’s mood, we can’t be blamed for wanting to make the most of the good weather outdoors whenever we get it.

However, while it’s easy to make your garden work for a handful of days and no more, it takes a little more thought to make it a space that can be used and optimised year-round.

To make that task easier, award-winning garden designer Kevin Dennis from cityscapegardener.ie shared five simple tips that will take your garden from being a separate part of your house to an extension of your home…

1. Go green by using plants to zone the space 

As well as being used for decoration, plants can also work as a way to divide your garden into different areas for different purposes. “Plants as structures are another way of building your garden,” he says.

“Introducing structural plants, whether it is a palm such as chamaerops humilis or a more elegant topiary-shaped plants like bay, Ligustrum or holly (depending on the style of the garden) and putting them in key points to lift the planting scheme will add instant depth and character to the garden design. Even in a small space, a key plant will have great impact.” And if you want your barbecue and patio heater setup to match the green vibe, try a 100% renewable gas, like Calor BioLPG.

Shutterstock / Hannamariah Shutterstock / Hannamariah / Hannamariah

2. Be sun smart… in a different way

Whether you’ve a south-facing garden or not, there’s always a section of outdoor space that gets more sun than the rest. This area is what you should design your garden around, according to Dennis. “When designing small city spaces it is so important to make use of every square metre,” he says. “Track the sun’s movements during the day and design your space around the amount of light available to each area.”

“If your house in not south-facing, then find an area in the garden that is and create your patio there. Ideally, it would be nice to surround that space with plants and create a natural experience with nature. After all, the plants do make the garden come to life.”

3. Decorate the space with colour, just like you would with a room 

A lot of thought tends to go into colour schemes and themes within the home, and there’s no reason why the same approach shouldn’t apply to your outdoor space. “Cool colour theme plant groups of blue, purple and white are always easy on the eye and create space and distance in garden planting,” says Dennis. “On the other hand, warmer flower colours of yellow, orange and red are becoming more popular lately as trends in interior design and fashion also become bolder.”

Shutterstock / J.Croese Shutterstock / J.Croese / J.Croese

4. Get creative with your seating plan

Rather than choosing a standard table and chairs for your garden or outdoor space and working your design around that, look for furniture that compliments what you already have. “Furniture can be a deciding factor in how you approach your space,” explains Dennis. “When space is tight it might not be a good idea to overpower the space with a large table and chairs. Instead, build in some benches which leave the patio space open and free. Furnish the garden for the people who use the space and not for the large occasional parties.”

Either way, define your seating area first so you will use the garden and it will function for your needs.

Shutterstock / jackmazur Shutterstock / jackmazur / jackmazur

5. Use lights to bring the outside in

If you’re putting time and effort into making your garden an aesthetically pleasing space, you might as well be able to appreciate it while you’re indoors too. “Lighting will open the space up at night and bring the garden into the home visually, which adds a really nice effect.”

“Downlights on a fence which throw light onto your hard landscaping or spotlights which show off your plants at night almost create a new garden. LED strip lighting in contemporary gardens is the latest trend,” says Dennis.

Looking for another way to enhance your next garden party? Feel good about hosting barbecues and spending long summer nights sitting outdoors by choosing Calor BioLPG to light your patio heater and barbecue. BioLPG is made from 100% renewable raw materials, meaning you can light up your barbecue and patio heater knowing you’re making a positive impact on the environment. Visit CalorGas.ie to find your local Calor retailer.