THE cold and winter months definitely take a toll on the garden.
Whether it's the weeds that are overgrowing the grass or the moss that is taking over the patio, the cold temperatures and heavy rain have a huge impact on our gardens.
And now that spring is well underway and we've had a burst of sunshine in recent weeks, many of us will be keen to get back in our outdoor spaces.
Which means now is the perfect time to dust off the cobwebs, clean all the furniture down and give the garden a glow up.
And in a bid to help, experts have shared their top hacks for decorating all styles of gardens.
Paint and interiors expert Lucy Steele from Valspar Paint said it's all about paying attention to the direction your garden faces.
This is because sunlight impacts the plant life, colours, and shading in your garden.
And this is key to knowing just the right way to decorate it.
So whether you have a garden that faces north, south, east or west, Lucy has you covered.
She has revealed her top tips for each direction so you can take your outdoor decor to a professional level with no effort.
South-facing gardens
Let's start with gardens that are south-facing – these are the most desired gardens because they get the sunshine all day.
With this in mind, Lucy says you'll want to pick up things that thrive in sunlight.
She says: “An ideal sun trap, it’s no wonder that a south-facing garden is one of the most sought-after features when it comes to buying a home.
“You can tell when your garden is south-facing because it will get sunlight almost all day, with the sun rising on your left and setting on the right.
“There are a few things to consider when decorating a south-facing garden.
“They are exposed to lots more sunlight and heat than others, so it's important to choose sun-loving plants that will thrive in bright conditions.
“A sunny garden screams out for a tropical makeover.Create a fun and vibrant space with garden furniture in summery and Mediterranean shadesand build on those holiday vibes.
“You can evenupcycle your old garden furnitureusing paint to give it a new burst of life.“
North-facing gardens
These gardens get a lot less sunshine, so Lucy says you'll need to make sure that everything is bright to compensate for that.
The expert explains: “If your garden gets direct sunlight in the morning but is mostly shaded during midday and afternoon, it's likely north-facing.
“If you live in a home with a north-facing garden, you’ll have noticed two main issues: the darkness and the cold.
“But that doesn’t mean your garden will be dull. When decorating, you’ll need to be particular about the plants you buy, making sure to fill your basket with shade-loving plants, like ferns, shade annuals, begonias, bleeding hearts, or low-light tropicals.
“In terms of colour, bright shades are the way forward. Colours likebright pink,teal, and yellow will be perfect for bringing out the most light in a north-facing garden and making sure it feels full of life.
“Painting your patio is a great way to brighten up a darker garden, you can even try using a lighter shade on pattern pavers and stencil on a pattern for that extra level of interest and design.“
West-facing gardens
Those with a west-facing garden will need to make sure they are ready for heat, Lucy advises.
She suggests: “Some gardeners and designers will try to avoid west-facing positions where possible, due to its blazing hot afternoons in summer, as the sun sets on the west.
“But fear not; there are plenty of tips and tricks that can make a west-facing garden perfect.
“Heat-tolerantplants are an absolute must, so potting basil, marigolds, zinnias, salvia, and okra are a great option.
“West-facing gardens will struggle to get natural shade at the hottest point of the day.
“That's why introducing some garden shade can be wise and allow you to still enjoy your outdoor space even in sweltering temperatures.
“With the afternoon sun, you’ll want warm colours that complement the golden hour, so opt for colours likeorange,warm neutrals, orearthy tones.
“Avoid overly cool or bright colours that might appear flat or washed out in the evening.“
East-facing gardens
Those with an east-facing garden will notice that it's warming in the morning.
To best decorate it, Lucy says: “Arguably one of the most ideally placed gardens, there’s a lot you can do with an east-facing outdoor space.
“East-facing gardens get sunlight in the morning and are shaded in the afternoon.
“With a mixture of sun and shade, there are so many ways to create a thriving east-facing garden.
“If you’re looking to exaggerate the warmth of the garden, paint colours with warm undertones like yellows, pinks, orredscan help counter the cooler morning light, while cooler tones likebluesorgreenscan be used for a calming effect, especially if you use the garden predominantly in the evening.
“East gardens are great to try a few vegetable crops.
“Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and Swiss chard will do amazingly here, so why not try making your own vegetable patch!“
