Day 28 Of The Declutter Challenge
The garden or outside space
The spring season is all about fresh starts and decluttering after the dreary winter months, and while we're ploughing through our decluttering calendar for the home, what about the garden? The front garden will be the first thing your potential buyers will see, and we all know first impressions count! Here are some tips from the experts about how to declutter your garden and keep it nice and tidy for the coming summer months, and beyond.
1. Keep it tidy
Front gardens are part of your property's appeal so pay extra special attention to them, especially if your home is prone to having a litter from the street blowing in. And remember to pop your rubbish bins somewhere unobtrusive so that they don't ruin the ambiance.
If you have no alternative but to keep them at the front of your property, you could try a wheelie bin screen available from Amazon, which costs £64 for a double.
All year round it's really important to ensure flower beds are well weeded - use bark to help suppress the weeds and keep beds tidy. Lawns must also be mowed regularly and hedges trimmed. Ensure boundary fencing is tidy and kept in good repair too.
2. Dress the space
In the summer months, it's easier to dress your garden to look its best by using hanging baskets, pots of plants, furniture, and equipment like BBQ’s. These not only introduce colour and charm they also create a welcoming space for guests.
Colourful furniture doesn’t have to break the bank. This set was made using old pallets, painted in bright colours.
3. Keep everything in good order
If you spent yesterday clearing out the shed to ensure it is neat and tidy, now is the time to check that doors and locks are working and woodwork painted/treated. With a greenhouse, even if you don't use it, you do need to be sure there is no broken glass and it looks safe. If it is very derelict, then it may be better to remove it completely and use the base as a feature area for pots of plants. Oil any squeaky gates and again ensure with gates and fences that the woodwork has been treated or painted.
4. Clear away any outdoor toys
These can be a bit of an eyesore so make sure there is somewhere to store them away when not in use and get rid of any items your children no longer play with. You might be able to clean them up a bit and sell them online to make a bit of additional cash for yourself. This outdoor storage box is perfect for toys, tools, and other bits and bobs that can make the garden feel untidy if left lying around. It costs £39.99 from Amazon
5. A game of pick up sticks anyone?
It is important to take the time to clear any mess including dead sticks, leaves and any rubbish that may have appeared. A quick and simple way is to arm yourself with a garden vac (various models to choose from, around £50). A 4-in-1 electric vacuum collects unwanted leaves and garden debris, with a shredding option, allowing you to simply empty the contents directly onto your compost heap. Flymo models with a “Jet-Vac” system allows the removal of stubborn wet leaves.
If you choose to use a leaf blower, lay a ground sheet on the lawn first and aim to blow debris into the centre. This will let you move and discard the pile easily and without any unnecessary hassle.
6. Give everything a clean
Everything looks better when it has been cleaned. There are lots of specialist cleaning materials and tools available to get patios, decking and furniture all sparkly. If you have pets pick up any mess too. I invested in a jet wash last year and actually look forward to the annual garden clean! The patio, pathways, furniture and garden toys all get blasted, and every time I‘m amazed how good the garden looks afterwards!
Now we just have to hope the sun stays out so you can enjoy your garden during lockdown….