We all know that our homes vary depending on our personalities. Some of us like to go as loud as possible with our colour choices, while others keep things neutral. Some people opt for minimalist living, while others love country cottage clutter.
For the most part, you can tell a lot about someone from their home design but do we put that same personal touch into our gardens? For the most part, the garden is the forgotten part of the home.
While many people dream of a patch of grass to call their own, just as many people are guilty of not using their outside space as much as they should, and not giving it the love it deserves when they do. It is a bit of a vicious cycle. Because we don’t give our gardens the love they deserve, we don’t want to spend time there.
That bare patch of lawn is nowhere near as appealing as your amazingly decorated living room. Besides, you have no emotional connection to your garden when it doesn’t reflect you. If you’ve never thought about putting your personality in your garden before, you may not know where to start.
Sit back for 5 minutes while I run through a few different personality types, and consider which gardens would suit each. Spot yourself? Totally wide of the mark? Leave a comment and let me know if your garden reflects your personality.
THE EXTROVERT
Let’s look, first, at a garden to suit the extrovert. Outside spaces are perfect for people of this personality type, as it’s all about being loud and proud. Instead of hiding your personality in the house, your garden offers the chance to show the world what you’re about.
A lot of extroverts are happy and confident. So, a bright garden full of outlandish flowers would be the best bet here. If you’re thinking bright and bold, it doesn’t get much better than the traditional sunflower. This fantastic option is sure to make a statement. Incorporate options like Perennial Hibiscus and Profusion Zinnias to increase the wow factor.
The chances are, extroverts will also want to do a fair bit of hosting in their outside spaces. After all, socialising is the name of the game. As such, it’ll pay to consider a patio area on which you can incorporate a table set to be proud of. Think, too, about the addition of a fire pit or patio heater to ensure you can keep that party going well into the night. A high-end barbecue wouldn’t go amiss, either!
THE INTROVERT
By contrast, introverts will want to do everything possible to avoid attention. Instead of a loud party central, they’ll want their garden to be a natural haven. Incorporating a gazebo is the best bet here. This option will provide perfect cover for overlooked gardens. That way, you can enjoy your time outside without worrying that the whole street can see you.
Think, too, about keeping things subtle in the flower stakes. Instead of bright colours, stick to greenery which doesn’t draw the eye quite as much. Herbs like parsley and basil will work well here; try and incorporate something like a horizontal blue juniper to add a little interest.
THE CREATIVE
Gardens are amazing spaces for creative people. In the same way you can use your creative spark to get your home looking fabulous, you can turn an artistic hand to your garden. Think of this space as a large canvas, and unleash a design unlike any other.
Much like extroverts, you’ll want to turn to the brightest flowers you can find. These will, after all, form your colour palette. You could step away from the traditional flower arrangements we all tend to use. Instead, develop a colour scheme of your own, or even plant your flowers so that they make a picture from above.
It’s not only the flowers with which you can get creative. You could also have some fun with the furniture you incorporate into your outdoor space.
Instead of opting for shop bought garden pieces, why not make your own? Upcycling household items like wooden palettes and old shoes can look amazing!
THE BUSINESS PERSON
Individuals who love their careers may not have as much time to spend on their gardens. If this sounds like you, it might be worth investing in a landscape design company to do the hard work for you. That way, you won’t have to worry about your garden at all.
You can tell the designers what you want, and let them do the rest. Remember, too, that it’s not only the garden design you won’t have time for. Though most garden plants look after themselves, they still need some care. If you don’t think you could provide that, you’re better off opting for a pebble garden or patio which covers your whole outside space.
These options can look amazing and will be much easier to care for. If you still want some greenery, you could incorporate easy to care for houseplants.
THE FAMILY PERSON
If your family are your priority, your garden needs will be very different. For the most part, you’ll want to create a space your children can enjoy. Rather than focusing on flower beds, a large lawn space will work best here. That way, the kids have plenty of space on which to play sports or other games.
If your garden is large enough, you may even want to include a pool for them to enjoy. Though, this may not be the best option for young kids. You want your garden to be as safe as possible so they can play out there without you having to worry!
You may also want to turn your backyard into an educational haven. After all, this is the main port of call your kids will have with nature. Make the most of the opportunity by incorporating [amazon_textlink asin=’B008XG999Q’ text=’bird boxes’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’mygardening411-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’09af37c0-60e3-11e7-b807-eb65c9b78412′] and feeding tables to encourage wildlife.
You could develop a vegetable patch, so they learn a little about where food comes from! As well as being educational, this is an excellent way of saving money. You’ll also be able to rest easy that your kids are eating the best produce possible!
