When it comes to shaping a garden that reflects your personality, accentuates the features of your home, elevates your property’s value, gives you a slice of nature and a haven to socialise with friends, you have to look at the bigger picture. Within that, you may need areas of greenery, such as plants, shrubs and trees, perhaps a lawn, decking, patio, summerhouse, flower beds, pathways, water features, ponds, greenhouses and vegetable patches. The size of your garden will (to some extent) determine your possibilities, but with every garden, there needs to be a bliss balance between beauty and functionality.
How do you intend to use your garden?
When you’re looking to buy a house, and you start viewing properties, it’s crucial to start visualising yourself living in that house and whether it’s a good fit for your lifestyle. We do this quite easily when we view properties, perhaps paying special attention to the kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms and perhaps the plot’s scope for an extension. Another key question has to be about the garden and how you intend to use it during spring and summer. Will you be spending lots of time outdoors with your family, perhaps spending quality time with your kids? Is it more about relaxing? Are you destined to spend more evenings cooking alfresco meals or entertaining friends? These are questions you not only need to ask when you’re buying your house, but when you’re investing in your property and conjuring up plans for the future.
Most garden renovations start with fencing and gates because these not only help shape your boundary but also give you privacy and security at the same time. Without them, do you really have a garden you can call your own? At the same time, a key fixture such as gates will influence the character of your home and garden, so we come back to this balance between beauty and functionality.
Can you have the best of both worlds?
The short answer to this question is absolutely, especially when you’ve had a long hard think about how you envisage spending time outdoors. When choosing a gate, for example, you may want to consider how many times during a day you will be using that particular entrance or transition. If you’re regularly going on dog walks, a side gate may get used rather frequently, whilst your driveway gates may need to be electrically operated for complete convenience, meaning you never have to leave your car to enter your property. Security considerations will be key, too, such as the overall strength and durability of the gates and, let’s not forget, style. Whether you prefer sleek modern gates or more classic designs, you have the freedom to choose garden or driveway gates that not only look the part and add value to your home but fit your budget and operate seamlessly.
What’s the best material for beauty and practicality?
There is no simple, straightforward answer to this question as it depends on your needs; however, wrought iron garden gates, side gates and driveway gates have grown in popularity. Firstly, wrought iron is strong and highly resistant to dents, bending and shock damage. Yet, it’s also a highly malleable material, meaning it can be heated, re-heated, and worked into various shapes, which is great for gate manufacturers!
If you take a look at our collection, you’ll find gates that are as visually stunning as they are strong, all at the most competitive prices. If you need any further information or wish to speak to us about how you can create the perfect balance between form and function, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.