The Rise of Outdoor Living: How to Create a Garden That Works All Year Round

May 2, 2025

The Rise of Outdoor Living: How to Create a Garden That Works All Year Round

In recent years, outdoor living has gone from a seasonal treat to a year-round lifestyle. More homeowners across the UK — particularly in places like Lewisham and South London — are looking for ways to extend the use of their gardens beyond summer barbecues and into cosy autumn evenings and crisp winter mornings.

At Wicked Gardens, we specialise in designing outdoor spaces that work in every season — blending comfort, function, and style into gardens that truly become part of your home. Here’s how to create a garden that delivers all year round.

🔥 1. Incorporate All-Weather Features

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Rain or shine, your garden should be a usable retreat. Integrate practical features like:

Covered pergolas or awnings for shelter from rain and harsh sun
Fire pits or chimeneas to provide warmth and atmosphere in cooler months
Outdoor rugs and weatherproof furniture for comfort, no matter the season

💡 Wicked Tip: Add outdoor sockets and low-energy lighting to create an inviting space after dark — perfect for year-round entertaining.

🪑 2. Design for Flexible Living

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A truly usable garden works for multiple purposes. Consider layouts that offer:

A relaxation zone with comfy seating
A dining area for entertaining
Space for potted plants or raised beds if you want to grow your own veg

In smaller gardens, opt for modular or foldable furniture and clever storage to keep the space tidy and flexible.

🌿 3. Plan for Seasonal Planting

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Choosing the right plants can keep your garden colourful and interesting throughout the year. Combine:

Evergreens for structure and greenery in winter
Seasonal flowers like crocuses in spring or sedums in autumn
Climbers to soften vertical spaces and add depth

💡 Wicked Tip: Use pots and containers to swap seasonal plants in and out without disrupting the rest of your layout.

🌧️ 4. Think About Drainage and Groundworks

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To ensure your garden remains usable during the wettest months, good ground preparation is essential. Use:

Permeable paving to reduce standing water
Gravel or bark mulch paths for budget-friendly, weatherproof access
Artificial grass for low-maintenance greenery that holds up in all weather

🪴 5. Blend Indoors and Outdoors

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Creating a strong connection between your home and garden makes it easier to enjoy your outdoor space regularly. Open-plan layouts, bi-fold doors, or even adding a garden room or home office can help blur the lines between inside and out.

Use similar materials, colours, or textures to create flow between spaces.

Why Outdoor Living is Worth the Investment

A well-designed outdoor living space:

Increases your usable living area
Boosts your property value
Improves health and wellbeing by encouraging time in nature
Makes entertaining more enjoyable and flexible

Let Wicked Gardens Bring Your Outdoor Living Vision to Life

At Wicked Gardens, we don’t just design for one season — we create functional, beautiful outdoor spaces that evolve with you throughout the year. Whether you’re after a cosy courtyard, a modern garden room, or an all-weather entertainment area, we’ll work with you to build a space that suits your lifestyle and budget.