Now is the perfect time to turn your attention to your garden, as new shoots are beginning to poke through and the weather is more welcoming. If you have spent lockdown focusing on your home and are happy with how it looks and feels, now you can turn your minimalist eye to your outdoor space. There are many benefits to this being simplified too- here are just a few...
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- You can showcase your most prized plants, flowers and trees: If you take out all the weeds and greenery that you aren’t all that precious about, the pieces you value the most have a chance to shine. For instance, if you have a fondness for a large tree in your back garden, keep everything below it stripped back so it’s a feature in its own right. Perhaps someone bought you a special flower to mark an anniversary- if so-plant it in its own pot or give it its own corner so it becomes a talking point in your garden.
- Low maintenance: As with a minimalist indoor space, keeping things simple will limit the amount of time you need to spend keeping it neat and tidy. If you don't get much pleasure from gardening- this is the perfect balance because you can easily keep on top of things while not having to become totally green fingered.
- More time for you and your family: With fewer tasks to do, you can sit and read a book on your favourite outdoor chair, play with your kids and their outdoor toys, or have a picnic with your partner. You give yourself the freedom and opportunity to make the most of your outdoor area because it’s an inviting place to spend your time.
- Lower risk: The more items you have in any space, indoor or outdoor- the greater the risk of accidents occuring, especially if you have little ones. Too many pots and ornaments can be tripping hazards and overgrown plants can catch on skin for example. If every item has a specific spot in your outdoor area- chances are you and your family will learn to avoid them- thus the likelihood of things going wrong reduces.
- The eye is drawn to what needs tending to: Having fewer items means once a weed becomes exposed or a bush needs trimming, it’s far more obvious, even to the untrained eye than if the space were overrun with foliage. You can adopt a little and often approach with your garden so as soon as you spot something that needs a little tweak, you can do it there and then.
- Cheaper: The less you have in your garden, the cheaper it becomes. Think about it- plants may need repotting, smaller trees may need to be replaced altogether and other decorative items can become sun bleached, so keeping things to the bare minimum means you will spend less overall. The most you will need to put money towards each year is some paint or stain for your boundaries or if one of your gardening implements breaks.
- Ready for guests: If you want to host an outdoor gathering, you don’t have to worry about getting your outdoor space ready for them showing up- other than getting out some extra seating or popping up a parasol perhaps. Your garden will be ready to invite people into so that’s one less thing for you to have to stress over when you’re entertaining.
RELATED: Minimalism: Seven reasons to cherish the things you own
It ensures a positive relationship with your home: If you resent the things that are in your space for the room they take up- this encourages an overpowering feeling of negativity when you spend time in your house. Junk, possessions that have been forced on you and things that don’t bring you value- these all manifest into a toxic relationship with your home. If you cherish each and every item, it will be a more pleasant experience for you all round...
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