Bring your Garden to Life with Colour

Colour is an essential aspect of our lives, and it plays a vital role in influencing our moods, emotions, and behaviour. Colours can evoke feelings of happiness, calmness, and excitement, and they can also have a significant impact on our physical and mental well-being. As a result, it is no wonder that colours are such an essential element of gardening, and they can transform an otherwise dull and uninteresting outdoor space into a vibrant and beautiful garden.

Ideas for Adding Colour to your Garden

One way to bring colour into your garden is by painting old wooden furniture or buildings. It is a simple and cost-effective way to add a splash of colour and life to your outdoor space. For instance, if you have an old wooden garden set that has seen better days, you can transform it into a beautiful and colourful seating area. Begin by sanding the surface of the furniture to remove any roughness, dirt or flaking paint, before applying an outdoor wood preserver or stain. Drier wood will produce a more intense colour as the stain will soak deeper into the wood. Some wood treatments are more like a paint that will cover the surface whereas wood stains are more translucent and show the wood grain through the colour. All options will help to preserve the wood and give a long lasting finish, although remember to retreat every 2-3 years. 

You can choose any colour that you love, or one that matches the surrounding environment, flowers or foliage. Bright colours like red, yellow, and orange can bring energy and vibrancy to your garden, while cool colours like blue, green, and purple can create a sense of calm and tranquillity. 

Similarly, you can paint an old garden shed or building in a colour that complements your garden's overall theme. A brightly coloured garden shed can make a stunning focal point, and it can be a delightful addition to your outdoor space. You can even use a combination of colours and patterns to create a unique and personalised look. If you're feeling adventurous, try painting a mural on the side of the shed to create a visual focal point in your garden.

Another way to bring colour into your garden is by using plants. Plants come in a vast range of colours, shapes, sizes, and textures, and they can add an element of beauty and serenity to your outdoor space. You can create a colourful garden bed by planting flowers of different hues, such as marigolds, petunias, and pansies. Additionally, you can use shrubs and trees with brightly coloured foliage to create a visually stunning garden with height and structure. 

To create a harmonious and cohesive look, choose colours that complement each other. For instance, you can pair blue and yellow flowers to create a visually striking contrast. Or you can use different shades of purple and pink to create a subtle and calming colour scheme. When choosing plants, consider the bloom time and the height and spread of the plant to ensure that they will work well together.

Another creative way to add colour to your garden is by using sedum matting on the roof of your garden building. Sedum matting is a type of living roof that is made up of sedum plants. It is a low-maintenance option that can add an interesting texture and colour to your outdoor space. Sedum plants come in a range of colours, from green and yellow to red and purple, and they can bloom in early to late summer, creating a beautiful display of flowers.

Sedum matting is easy to install, and is beneficial to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden, making it an eco-friendly addition to your outdoor space.

Finally, you can add colour to your garden by using paving designs that incorporate mosaic patterned tiles. Mosaic tiles come in a variety of colours and patterns, and they can add a touch of creativity and artistry. These beautifully designed tiles can create a permanent garden rug appearance and also look fabulous when creating a themes garden such as Moroccan style. 

Choosing Colours for your Garden

When it comes to choosing colours for your garden, it is essential to consider the overall look and feel that you want to achieve. Some colour combinations work well together, creating a cohesive and harmonious look, while others can clash and create a chaotic and disjointed appearance. Here are some popular colour combinations that work well together in the garden:

1. Complementary colours: Complementary colours are opposite each other on the colour wheel, and they can create a striking contrast. For instance, blue and orange, purple and yellow, and red and green are complementary colours. Using these colours together in your garden can create a bold and vibrant look.

2. Monochromatic colours: Monochromatic colours are different shades of the same colour, and they can create a soothing and calming effect in the garden. For instance, using different shades of pink, from pale pink to deep magenta, can create a serene and peaceful garden.

3. Analogous colours: Analogous colours are next to each other on the colour wheel, and they can create a gentle and harmonious effect in the garden. For instance, using yellow, orange and red together can create a warm and inviting garden.

4. Cool colours: Cool colours, such as blue, green, and purple, can create a calming and tranquil effect in the garden. These colours are ideal for creating a relaxing and soothing outdoor space.

5. Warm colours: Warm colours, such as red, orange, and yellow, can create a vibrant and energetic effect in the garden. These colours are ideal for creating a lively and cheerful garden.

When choosing colours for your garden, it is essential to consider the surrounding environment, as well as the existing colours of the plants and foliage. You can experiment with different colour combinations to find the perfect balance that works well together and creates the desired look and feel for your garden. Remember that colours can evoke different emotions and moods, so choose colours that reflect your personal style and the atmosphere you want to create in your outdoor space.

Using Colour for Garden Themes

Using different colours to create a specific theme or style in your garden is a great way to add personality and character to your garden. One popular theme is the seaside style garden, which can be achieved by using a blue and cream colour palette.

The blue and cream colour combination is inspired by the colours of the sea and the sand. The soft, muted tones of blue and cream work together to create a serene and calming atmosphere that is reminiscent of the seaside.

To create a seaside style garden, start by choosing plants and flowers that have blue or cream tones, such as hydrangeas, lavender, and daisies. You can also add decorative elements, such as blue and white striped cushions or a cream-coloured outdoor rug, or even convert your shed to have the appearance of a beach hut with blue and cream stripes to enhance the seaside theme.

In addition to the blue and cream colour palette, there are other colour combinations that work well for different garden themes:

• Cottage style garden: A cottage style garden is all about using a mix of colours and textures to create a whimsical and charming atmosphere. Soft pinks, purples, blues, and yellows work well together to create a romantic and dreamy garden. Using rustic features such as a rose arch and a garden bench seat to complete the look.

• Modern style garden: A modern style garden is all about clean lines and minimalist design. Using a monochromatic colour palette, such as shades of grey or black and white, can create a sleek and sophisticated garden. Grey paving with contrasting black or white planters make a modern choice. Plant with simple green foliage. 

• Tropical style garden: A tropical style garden is all about using bright and bold colours to create a lush and exotic atmosphere. Shades of pink, orange, and red work well together to create a vibrant and energetic garden. Consider using black paving as a striking contrast to the bright tropical colours. 

• Desert style garden: A desert style garden is all about using earthy and warm colours to create a dry and arid atmosphere. Shades of brown, beige, and rust work well together to create a natural and rugged garden. Try using corten steel features within this design such as fire bowls, corten steel panels and a water bowl.

When choosing colours for your garden theme, it is important to consider the overall look and feel that you want to achieve. Experiment with different colour combinations and textures to find the perfect balance that works well together and creates the desired theme or style for your garden.

We hope our ideas have given you some inspiration and we would love to see your ideas.