When it comes to improving the garden, most of us want to jump straight to the obvious things. New furniture, a lawn revamp, or maybe a built-in BBQ, but there are some less talked about upgrades that make a real difference to how you use your outdoor space. They aren’t always the first things you might think of when you’re planning a garden makeover, or you might have ruled them out in the past for whatever reason. But that’s exactly why they’re so often missed and worth a second chance for consideration! These are the sorts of things that, once they’re in place, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do them sooner.
Outdoor sockets
Outdoor sockets can make everything about garden maintenance and entertaining SO much easier. From plugging in speakers for a birthday party or just setting up garden lights that don’t rely on solar panels, they’re so worth having. People tend to overlook them because they sound dull and practical; you don’t see them on garden inspiration boards or Instagram reels. But they’re the kind of change that really does transform how usable the space is. No more running an extension lead out the kitchen window and hoping it doesn’t rain; we all know what a pain this is. They’re fairly inexpensive to have installed if you already have electrics nearby, and if you’re doing other work in the garden, it’s a smart time to get them added. Just make sure to use a registered electrician who will know how to fit proper weatherproof units, and position them sensibly, too. Ideally, you’ll want them near where you’ll want to sit or work.
Composite decking
Traditional wood decking still gets a lot of attention, mostly because it looks good when first installed. But unless you’re prepared to oil it every year and deal with slippery patches when it rains, it ends up being more of a hassle than it’s worth. Composite decking doesn’t have the same romantic, natural look, but the newer styles are a lot better than they used to be. Some of the boards are now textured and come in shades that actually look like wood rather than plastic. The main reason people skip it is cost. It’s not cheap, and a lot of homeowners see it as overkill. But when you factor in the maintenance it saves, especially in busy households or rented properties, it’s absolutely worth considering. It won’t splinter, warp or fade in the same way, and you can clean it with a quick jet wash. For anyone who wants a tidy garden they don’t have to fuss over, this is one to look into.
Above ground pools
The phrase above-ground pools probably brings up images of inflatable paddling pools that collapse after two uses, but that’s not what they are. Proper above ground pools have come a long way and have sturdy frame designs, easy-to-maintain filters, and even heated options are now available, and you don’t need a huge garden to set one up. They get overlooked because people assume pools are a nightmare to install, maintain, and insure. And to be fair, that’s true of in-ground ones, but a decent above-ground setup doesn’t require any digging, so it’s more affordable than people realise. You can still pack it away for winter if needed, too! Some families even build a small decked area around the base to make it feel more permanent. In the UK, where proper pool weather can be hit and miss, this is one of those luxuries that ends up being surprisingly well used during warm weeks, especially if you’ve got kids on summer holidays.
