When you’re designing an outdoor space, it’s really easy (and totally understandable) to just focus on how things are going to look on a sunny day and totally forget about the rest of the year. However, the fact is your outdoor space doesn’t just exist when the weather’s nice and during the summer months, and they’ll have to deal with all kinds of things like rain, wind, frost, muddy months, heatwaves, falling leaves, and everything else that comes with the seasons. 

And the truth is, the best outdoor spaces are the ones that still work even when the weather isn’t ideal. They stay usable, safe, and easy to manage all year round, and not just when it’s warm. So with that in mind, here are a few things to think about if you want an outdoor space that can handle every season. 

                                                                       Photo by Shu Takes Photo

Start With The Ground 

It’s always going to be tempting to start with the fun stuff because, well, it’s fun, and things like seating, lighting, plants, and outdoor dining areas definitely get a lot of attention - it could be what you think about first. 

But it’s wise to remember that the foundation matters more than all that because once you’ve got that right, everything else can more easily come together. For example, if the ground isn’t level, water can collect in the wrong places or it can get slippery when it rains, and that means the space won’t be enjoyable for very long. So, good outdoor design has to start with what’s under your feet. 

Think About Drainage Early On 

Drainage is one of the most important parts of any outdoor space, and it’s also one of the most overlooked - but now you know about it, you can make sure it’s on your list of things to get done. 

After it’s fallen, rainwater basically needs somewhere to do, especially since if it pools on patios, driveways, or near the house, it can cause all sorts of issues, from muddy patches to surface damage to damp problems later on. That’s why planning proper drainage early makes the whole space easier to live with, especially during autumn and winter. 

If you’re looking for the number one source for drainage products, it’s worth choosing solutions that fit your space properly and will work for the long term, rather than just a quick fix. 

Choose Materials That Can Handle Weather Changes 

Outdoor materials really do go through a lot - the sun fades things, frost cracks things, rain stains things, wind moves things around… there’s always something going on. 

That’s why it’s worth choosing surfaces and finishes that are specifically designed for outdoor life, like composite decking, well-laid stone, weather-resistant paving, and so on. That way, it’s not all going to look tired and mucky after a year or so of being outside. 

Make Paths And Walkways Practical 

Garden paths are lovely, but they’re also (usually) there for a reason. In wetter months, people tend to take shortcuts across grass, which quickly then turns into mud. But practical walkways help you move around without ruining the garden or constantly bringing dirt indoors, not to mention the state of your shoes. 

So a well-placed path means the space is more organised and much easier to use whatever the weather. Take a look at where people naturally walk across the garden because that’s going to give you the best place to install the path without having to guess. 

Plan For Shade And Shelter 

Most people think about shade for summer, but the fact is that some form of shelter is going to be important for every season. 

A pergola, a covered area, even a sheltered corner outside can make an outdoor space usable in light rain or colder weather, for example. And it also helps to give the space structure, making your garden feel a lot more like an extension of the home rather than just an open space that happens to be there. 

Lighting Makes Outdoor Spaces Work Longer 

Outdoor lighting creates a good atmosphere, and it makes the property more secure, so why else install it? 

Well, another reason is that it makes the garden safer and more practical, so it definitely ticks a lot of boxes. In winter it gets dark much earlier, and therefore the right lighting makes paths, steps, and entrances much easier to find and use. That means you can still enjoy the space when the days are shorter. 

Think About Year-Round Planning 

A garden that looks good in every season usually has a mix of planting. For example, you might have evergreens that give the space some structure even in winter, and perennials to bring colour in spring and summer. Then there are grasses and seed heads to add some texture in autumn and so on. 

The good news is you definitely don’t need a complicated planting plan, just a bit of balance so the garden doesn’t feel empty for half the year and looking out of the window isn’t completely depressing. 

Storage Helps Keep Things Under Control

Outdoor spaces are much easier to manage when there’s somewhere to put things, like cushions, tools, toys, bikes, bins, and everything else that tends to clutter up a garden. And without storage, you’ll end up with things all over the place, possibly getting broken and damaged, and at the very least it’ll make the garden look worse for wear. 

Having a simple shed, storage bench, or some kind of screened area can keep the space feeling tidy and nice to be in all year round. 

Final Thoughts 

Designing outdoor spaces that handle every season is really about thinking long term, and making sure you’ve thought about everything from drainage to planting to storage… and anything else that’s going to affect how much you can use the space (or just enjoy looking at it) in every season. 

In the end, the best outdoor spaces aren’t the ones that look pretty for a few weeks or months and then look drab and dreary - they’re the ones that change with the seasons and look different but great all year.