Patios provide a great space for relaxing and entertaining in your garden. Here we take a look at paving trends for 2023. Always a popular choice, porcelain paving is going to big again in 2023. Porcelain looks great and provides a modern look to a garden. It is a very low maintenance option and a tough paver too, being frost resistant, non-porous and scratch resistant. If you are looking to bring the inside out at your home porcelain is a good choice and if you are keen to try to improve your carbon footprint then consider these pavers as they are made from natural raw ingredients with minimal waste and contain no waterproofing agents, resins or varnish. We will be using a lot of natural stone for our patio projects again this year. Indian Sandstone is very popular as it very versatile and comes in a variety of colours, sizes and finishes to suit all types of garden design. Hand-cut pavers work well in a traditional garden and sawn sandstone suits a more modern look with its clean lines. Sandstone has a long life span as it is a natural stone created over millions or years. When cleaning your sandstone patio avoid using acidic substances and harsh chemicals. Granite is another popular natural stone. Being a natural stone, the composition and colour of the stone will vary and it will have subtle sparkles. It is very hard wearing, heat resistant and there are good slip resistant finish options available. It is another low-maintenance paver. Regarding colour grey paving remains a popular choice as it works well in both modern and older properties. Black is also going to be seen a lot this year, providing a sleek look to your garden. Think porcelain, limestone or granite paving. When planning your new patio area think about your budget, the style and colour you are looking for, the size of the paver and the best location in your garden for the patio. If you are looking to install a new patio and would like a consultation with one of the team to discuss the different products please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free appointment. We cover East and North London.
Garden Design Trends 2023
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.
Why a pergola is a great addition
Not only does a pergola look great in a garden there are other benefits too making it a good addition. Firstly they really do look great. There are many different styles to choose from and can be built bespoke to your exact requirements. There are a variety of timbers to choose from and many different sizes and styles. Pergolas help to define an outdoor area and also further extend your living space. You can add a pergola across your paving or decking area to define and enhance the area making it a great space for relaxing and entertaining. You can add string lights or hanging lights to brighten your garden at night. We have some string lights hanging on our pergola in our garden at home. You can also train climbing plants to grow up and across the pergola, adding some more greenery to your garden. Popular choices are climbing roses, honeysuckle, clematis and wisteria. A pergola helps to provide more opportunity to spend time in your garden as it makes your garden more useable in all weathers. Providing shade from the sun and also they can be made to shield from rain too. Plus they also give you some extra privacy in your garden if you look to add lattice or screens. If you would like to discuss a pergola project please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a consultation with one of our friendly experienced team.
Garden Design After A House Renovation
Garden Design After A House Renovation. After a house renovation your garden may be left a little worse for wear. It may have been used as a dumping ground during your project or used as a walk through with all the building materials leaving it looking a little tired. Following an extension to your home the garden could need a total redesign to take in the new garden space. Once the house is finished your thoughts turn to your garden to complete your property. You need to think about how you want the space to look. Maybe you would like to have the look that you have inside following out through to your outside space? You could achieve this by bringing the style of your tiles in the kitchen out to your patio with a complimentary paver. You want your garden to blend in with the style of your home. There are many different designs to choose from. A more modern look or you may opt for a more traditional design or a cottage garden. Once you decide on a theme you can start to research online the different ideas. Speak to your landscaper about your aspirations for your garden. What you would like to be included in the design. What is important to you. What will the space be used for. What are your needs for the garden. Are you thinking of an area for relaxing and entertaining. If so a decking area or a patio area could be added. What materials do you like? What colours would suit? Both decking boards and paving slabs come in many different colours and styles. You can also make additions to these with steps, handrails, paving edging etc. Does the lawn need to be redone after the works? If so do you want to re-turf your existing lawn or maybe install an artificial lawn? Artificial lawns are becoming increasingly popular with families, particularly football or basketball fans as they enable them to use the grass area all year round. Do you want to add some raised planters or add some garden beds? You may want to start to grow some of your own vegetables in a raised planter and use them to add colour to your garden with flowers and plants. Think of the garden in sections. You can break up the different areas to create a flow through your garden. An area for entertaining, an area for relaxing and playing. Dividing up your garden into different areas provides a great visual look as you journey between the sections. Is your fencing holding up well? Do you need to replace it or simply fix it. Is now the time to add some horizontal slatted fencing instead to change the look? Or does it simply need a coat of paint of stain to revive it. All of these ideas can be discussed with your landscaper. If you would like to discuss a project with us please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 020 3633 6413 to arrange a free consultation with one of the team. We cover East London and North London.
Latest Client Review East London
Just received this lovely review from a happy client in Leyton, East London. “C&J Landscapes installed some decking, slabbing and a lawn for me. I had an initial chat with Christian when I was still deciding on a few things, which wasn’t a problem. He talked me though the available options for the materials and provided some samples for the decking and slabbing so I could chose the colour. The work was completed efficiently to a high standard. Very professional and pleasant firm, wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.”
Client Review East London
Just received this review from a client in East London. We installed composite decking and they are very happy with their new garden space. It is always so nice to hear how our clients found our services and they often keep us updated with their photos once they have started planting and using their new garden space. If you would like to discuss a project with one of the team please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free consultation and quote. We cover East London and West Essex.
Modern Low Maintenance Garden
A modern low maintenance garden, this was a project for a busy couple living in East London. They were looking for a beautiful space to carry out lots of entertaining with their friends and family. They also wanted a low maintenance garden as they were both busy with their lives and jobs so didn’t have the time for lots of gardening and wanted to be able to relax. Our clients loved the look of decking and softwood decking had previously been installed in their garden. They wanted to keep decking in the garden but were looking for a more low maintenance option. They wanted a grey colour scheme in the project and this is where composite decking fits perfectly. It comes in a wide variety of colours and is extremely low maintenance. Only really needing a sweep over to remove any fallen leaves or debris and the occasional spray with a hose. It is also hardwearing and feels smooth underfoot. To bring greenery into the space and also incorporate the low maintenance requirements raised rendered beds were built ready for planting. Our clients were looking forward to choosing the plants for their new beds and wanted to bring a holiday feeling to the space. The render used for the beds was K-Rend which comes in a variety of colours to match a project so that once it is applied there is no need for painting. To provide a modern look for the fencing we installed horizontal slatted fencing on all boundaries. We used softwood slats for the fencing which is more affordable than Cedar or hardwood and looks great too. If you are planning a modern low maintenance garden and would like a consultation to discuss a project please get in touch. Please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free appointment.
Low Maintenance Garden
This was a project for a busy family in East London. They wanted a low maintenance and modern garden. A beautiful garden to relax and entertain and also space for their children to play and have fun. Firstly we looked at the entertaining space. They wanted a large area for a dining table and chairs and they were going to treat themselves to a new BBQ. We installed a raised composite deck in oak with raised sleeper beds at the front for planting with steps leading down to a slate path. The raised sleeper beds provided a wall to divide the areas up and bring extra greenery to the garden. The family were excited when choosing the plants for this section. Composite decking is a good choice for a low maintenance garden as it requires little to no maintenance. There is no need for painting or sealing each year giving you more time to relax. It just needs a quick sweep now and again to remove any falling leaves or debris and an occasional splash with the hose. With the environment at the forefront of their minds our clients were happy to know that composite decking is a very eco-friendly choice as it is made from recycled materials. It works well in a garden for a family due to its great non-slip properties and the boards are smooth underfoot so you don’t have to worry about splinters. Composite decking has a long lifespan so when you have it installed you can take comfort in the fact that it will work perfectly well in your garden for many years. The combination of wood and plastic makes it very hardwearing against the elements. Composite decking boards are water-proof and resistant against moisture and mildew. For the path to the side of the garden we chose a grey slate paving. Slate paving is a good choice if you are looking for a low maintenance space. The paving is non-porous and hard wearing and is very stain-resistant. It also has good non-slip properties which worked well for this family who have two lively boys running around a lot. Finally a lawn was added for all the family’s games and activities. Also creating another zone in the garden. We left a bed running down the side ready for planting. The family said they would be trying to create a tropical theme with their garden when choosing their plants. The family were very happy with the space that we have created for them and are looking forward to planting up their beds and adding some potted plants to bring lots of greenery to the space. They are also planning a lot of entertaining! If you would like to discuss a garden project please send an email to office@eastlondonlandscapes.com to arrange a free consultation with one of the team.
Latest Client Review
Here is the latest review from a client in Leytonstone, East London that we wanted to share. We installed new paving and built raised rendered beds with built in seating. I couldn’t have asked for more from Chris, James and Mario and the amazing job they have just completed on our flat garden. Chris was responsive from the beginning and understood the brief, which has been delivered to a level beyond our expectations. Our tired garden space has become a little oasis in East London to enjoy for years to come. The team were punctual, respectful, trustworthy and very tidy – everything you want in a professional service. 100% recommended. Thank you Chris and team!
Landscaping Trends for 2016
Landscaping trends for 2016. What trends are set to emerge this year in British gardens? Looking at garden designers predictions, several emerging trends can be seen reflecting the way in which we use our gardens. Easy maintenance is set to continue to be a key theme. For most people, the amount of time they can spend caring for their garden is becoming increasingly limited. Commuting times and pressure of work are increasingly cutting into leisure time. People want gardens that are easy to maintain, yet are pleasant, relaxing places where they can entertain friends and family. Linked to this desire to entertain is the need for lighting so as to enable people to use their gardens for much longer in spring and autumn. LED lighting is becoming very popular due to the fact that it is energy and cost efficient. Many people are using their smart phones to control outdoor lighting systems as well as automatic irrigation systems to keep plants in good condition. Colour is set to become more important. There will be greater use of greens and dark blues on fences and garden structures in order to create foils for plants as well as blending into the garden much more. Well-manicured, perfect lawns are becoming less popular. Such lawns are very time consuming resulting in a more naturalistic approach in which lawns are mown far less frequently. Alternatively, home owners are opting to remove front lawns and reduce the amount of lawn space in back gardens. Instead, they are opting to use gravel, rock, brick and paving especially in the front gardens, with decking, gravel and paving more common in the back. A green space is seen as important, but people want more areas in which they can sit and entertain in comfort. Linked to this is a growth in the provision of covered areas, which will provide shade in summer, and shelter during spring and autumn evenings. Pergolas and terraces are forecast to be popular additions to decking and patios in order to match the move towards greater entertaining at home. Interest in the use of locally sourced materials is beginning to appear, reflecting eco-friendly concerns. More innovative and creative ways are being sought to use standard materials such as stone and wood to define the boundaries of flower beds and garden space. Fence panels for example have been used horizontally as screens, dividing one section of the garden from another, thus providing additional privacy. If you would like to discuss a project please get in touch via our website www.eastlondonlandscapes.com or call 01279 413215. We provide landscaping and fencing services in East London . We offer all our customers a one to one service, from the first site visit to the finished garden, we never forget how important our clients are. We have offices in Walthamstow, East London and Harlow, Essex. We cover Walthamstow, Leytonstone, Bow, Bethnal Green, Shoreditch, Whitechapel, Hackney, Docklands, East Ham, Stratford, Forest Gate, Clapton, Wanstead, Chingford, Loughton, Woodford, Epping, Theydon Bois, Buckhurst Hill, Chigwell and other surrounding towns in London and Essex.
