If you are looking for easy ways to create more shade in your garden, there are plenty of solutions that don’t involve major building work.
When the weather is warm, it’s wonderful to spend time outside. Every garden benefits from a cool, shaded spot where you can relax with family and friends. The good news is you don’t need to build an extension or install an expensive structure to create a more comfortable outdoor space.
With a little planning and the right landscaping materials, you can create shaded areas that are practical, attractive and perfect for relaxing with family and friends.
1. Start by creating a dedicated seating area
One of the easiest ways to make your garden more enjoyable is to create a space that feels separate from the rest of the garden.
An area of decking or a simple paved corner instantly creates an outdoor room. Add a quality wooden bench, picnic table or swing seat and you’ll have somewhere to enjoy your morning coffee, read a book or entertain guests.
Woodford Forest stocks a range of wooden garden furniture, including benches, picnic tables and swing seats designed to enhance any outdoor space.
Round 8 Seat Picnic Table
2. Add height with an arch or pergola
If you are happy to take on a slightly larger DIY project, adding a pergola can make a huge difference to your outdoor space. It creates height and structure while giving you the flexibility to add shade sails or outdoor fabric canopies, providing extra shelter while still keeping the space light and open. If you are building your own, Woodford Forest stocks a range of quality timber suitable for creating bespoke pergolas and other garden structures.
A timber pergola or decorative arch also provides the perfect support for climbing plants. As they mature, they’ll create natural dappled shade that becomes more effective year after year, while adding colour, texture and interest to your garden.
If you are looking for a simpler project, a feature such as the Omega Arch can create an attractive focal point while helping to soften a sunny garden. It’s also an ideal way to introduce climbing plants without taking on a larger build.
Omega Arch
3. Let climbing plants do the hard work
Trellis panels aren’t just for boundaries.
Positioned alongside a seating area or attached to a fence, they provide an ideal framework for climbing plants such as clematis, jasmine or climbing roses. Over time, these plants create natural shade while adding colour, scent and privacy.
It’s an easy way to make your garden feel cooler and more secluded without taking up valuable space. Woodford Forest stocks a wide range of trellis panels to suit both traditional and contemporary gardens.
Trellis panels
4. Use sleepers to create relaxing garden zones
Sleepers are one of the most versatile landscaping products you can buy.
You can use them to build raised beds, edge seating areas or define different parts of your garden. By creating distinct zones, your outdoor space feels larger and more organised, making it easier to position seating where there’s natural shade throughout the day.
They are equally at home in modern gardens and more traditional settings, making them a worthwhile investment for almost any project. For some sound advice, read our blog Garden Simple Ideas and Practical Tips
Timber sleepers
5. Make the most of your decking
Decking can help transform an unused part of the garden into a space you’ll use every day.
Whether it’s tucked beneath an existing tree or positioned beside climbing plants, a deck creates a comfortable base for outdoor dining and entertaining.
Complete the space with a sturdy picnic table, garden bench or companion seat and you will have an area that’s ready to enjoy whenever the weather allows.
For more ideas, read our blog Planning a Deck: What to Consider Before You Start
Decking and stylish railings.
Small changes can make a big difference
Creating shade doesn’t have to mean major building work. Often, a combination of thoughtful landscaping, quality timber products and well-positioned garden furniture is enough to transform how you use your outdoor space.
Whether you are adding trellis panels, building raised beds with sleepers, laying new decking or choosing a new garden bench, every improvement helps create a garden that’s more comfortable and more enjoyable throughout the year.
Ready to transform your garden?
Visit Woodford Forest and Landscape to explore our range of decking, sleepers, trellis panels, timber and wooden garden furniture. If you’d like advice before you start your project, our friendly team is always happy to help you choose the right products and materials.