(The last section may have been written for homeowners who are looking to sell, however the same rules could also be transferred for those who still wish to stay in their homes. The top tips can be used to help create the inviting garden you desire for when family and friends come over, so if you missed it, take a look back!)

After reading the tips in Spring Clean Your Garden, hopefully you were inspired. You may have cleaned and gleamed and although the garden now has a much better ambience, there is still something missing…

By adding something to your garden, although there is a cost to pay, a profit can be made. Your once boring and dull garden has become interesting and full of life. It will then become another part of your property that will once again get used, opening up your living area.

Attractive Additions

1. Extending your garden patio gives you more room to breathe, better room for table and chairs and allow more comfortable dining and lounging. For those looking for a sale, most people want spacious, open areas so creating a larger patio can help achieve this.

2. A second seating area or gazebo at the end of the garden, depending on your location and surrounding areas, can create a differing texture that can do wonders for the appearance of your garden. It can also give you a calm and tranquil area to get away from the calamity of the house.

3. Adding a pathway can help wonders with the texture of your garden. It will also help you maintain dry feet when you want to reach the shed at the bottom of the garden.  There are many 'pathways' to go so you need to make sure that what you choose fits in well with the surroundings. There are the options of wooden tiles, concrete tiles, stepping-stones made from different rocks, glass stepping stones and even picture stepping-stones. There are cheaper and more expensive options and there are different ways of making the path reach the desired area. Think of your options first and what is best going to suit your pocket and your garden.

4.  Garden lighting is attractive and gives the added incentive of using the garden at night - which is very appealing during the summer. Again, there are many different routes that can be taken with lighting which can eventually cost you a fortune, so make sure you have a look around for the best deals before rushing into it.

5. A water feature or pond can change the ambience of a garden very quickly. Water features are pretty easy to install whereas a pond can take a little more work (as well as the effort in cleaning it). The benefit of a water feature is that it can camouflage the surrounding sounds so perhaps is most beneficial to those who live near noise and need to drown it out. If you can only afford a cheap water feature, then don't go ahead with it. The cheaper ones never look as good and can then change the atmosphere for the worse in your garden. If you want to know more or need more persuading, then try to get in contact with Charlie Dimmock and her Gardening Team who seem to put water features in nearly every garden! Otherwise, speak with employees at the garden centres or look online.

6. Another sense that many forget is smell. Everybody has a preferred perfume and like going to a chemist, you can choose the perfume of your garden. There are many plants that are aromatic and planting them near door ways can create an alluring smell that can tempt you away from the indoors. Planting or having pots of plants that are aromatic or which flower early can brighten up the garden and your senses. Have a look in your local garden centre or take a look at Crocus or Really Wild Flowers.

7. Other inexpensive tools that can be used to give your garden more character is placing stones around flower beds or having small borders, for example the small log border that can be used as a decorative feature for paths and borders. The main tip with this is to make sure that all your features are similar in terms of styling. Another feature you may be able to incorporate is a natural stone sculpture. You can either leave them loose or get them glued/welded together. If you are thinking about this, it is best to call in the professionals. Another 'warming' touch to consider is outdoor heaters. They are now available in a number of different ranges to suit everyone's style.

Top tips
A seat is very often the main focus of a garden, especially in smaller gardens. Knowing this, make sure you buy a quality seat that can be looked after and maintained. There are many types of garden furniture and seating ranging from plastic to wooden and metal. But don't forget about the seat that embodies relaxation - the hammock. If unsure of what to get, go to your local garden centres to have a look at a wide range of options.
For those with larger gardens, choosing the right centre piece or focal point can be difficult. Having a look at different options is the way forward. An ornament, water feature, flower bed are just some of the selections you have. Think about what you want to use your garden for and who will be using it before decisions are made. This can be a major influencing factor and can save you time and money.