In the wake of another record-breaking heatwave this summer, and with the Met Office projecting that heatwaves and extreme heat events will become increasingly frequent across the UK, more and more households are facing a hosepipe ban to conserve water. However, in extreme heat our outdoor spaces become even more valuable to our comfort, so it’s important that gardens remain accessible throughout the summer. The average garden size in the UK is just 14m2; which means maximising these spaces is crucial to creating serene and practical sanctuaries to escape the heat.

A UK sustainable decking brand, Composite Prime, shares some smart ideas to reduce the need for excessive water consumption in your garden.

Use decking to design your sanctuary

Reduce your need for a hosepipe by using decking to create a unique outdoor living area. Creating outdoor living rooms is a small and effective way to add value to your home and garden. Increasingly, homeowners are looking at their outdoor space as an asset for entertaining and relaxing, and with many people working from home, a beautiful outdoor area to grab some fresh air on a lunch break has become a valuable commodity.

The garden should feel like an extension of the home and naturally progress into the other, with interior and exterior decor working together in harmony. Decking can be raised to a backdoor to create a seamless transition to the outdoors.

Dressing your small garden space with unique decked areas, pergolas, furniture sets and adding decorative outdoor lights to create a tranquil space where you want to spend more time. This is a great way of building your perfect garden that is resistant to heat and needs minimal watering.  Adding garden lighting and comfortable furniture creates homely living spaces to enjoy the warmer evenings.

Make a small space work harder 

Carefully laid decking can create unique zones and layering in the garden, adding the illusion of depth and extra space.

Different levels can be used to help zone areas and present a wonderful opportunity to play around with materials. Zoned areas create an illusion of more space and allow small gardens to look organised, clutter free and remain a harmonious outdoor space. Zoned planting also lends itself to split levels and can be used practically in small gardens to create paths and walkways. Consider replacing flowers with self-sufficient plants such as succulents or agave to add greenery, or for more colour, opt for sedum, verbena and lavender.  To maintain hydration in a raised bed, mulch your plants well to ensure the soil is moist.

Zoned areas can be achieved by creating interesting interlocking zones with distinctive materials. Some composite decking products, offer a reversible two-colour option on each board to create unique finishes and patterns. These types of products are ideal to shape outdoor living spaces as its versatility in colour and texture allows homeowners to create completely bespoke designs, tailored to outdoor living areas and personal requirements.

Bold planting and mixed media

Make small spaces more attractive and eye-catching with contemporary and strong landscaping. Create interest and add perspective with different levels, zoned areas, interlocking zones of distinct materials and bold planting.

Different levels help to zone areas and present a wonderful opportunity to play around with materials. Planting also lends itself to creating strong landscaped lines. Having built-in beds at different heights ensures that planting can be designed to fill every line of vision.

Vertical planting has also been on the rise in recent years. It has become especially popular in small, urban gardens where homeowners have minimal ground space but lust after a green garden with a smaller footprint.

Vertical gardening creates privacy and shaded spaces, increases plant productivity and uses less water than typical planting methods. Using a hydroponic planting system will ensure that unlike traditional planting methods, no water is wasted. This is a great way to ensure that your garden remains fruitful despite rising temperatures and hosepipe bans.

Climbing plants and trellises are a great solution for small gardens, as they lift flowers and foliage up off the ground and add additional to small gardens. Intersecting vertical planting with cladding or brickwork is an ideal way to zone a garden, and can intersect with a dining area to form an inviting entertaining space.