Summer is the season for outdoor entertaining. If your backyard is looking a little lacklustre, you don’t need to break the bank to get it looking great.
Creating a Spanish-inspired outdoor area is a great way to enjoy the lazy days of summer. With just a few small touches you can spruce up any neglected outdoor area to create an inviting space that celebrates the sun.
From adding colour with plants and linens to creating a soothing space with water, the key to creating a great Spanish garden is in the little things. Think cracked terracotta pots, corroded metal, rustic tables, hand-sewn linens and, of course, lots of bright colours.
Celebrate colour
A quick and easy way to bring a Spanish feel to your garden is through colour. Think warm reds, burnt oranges and bright yellows mixed with bright Aztec blues for contrast. Create a siesta spot in a sun-drenched corner by tossing a few colourful cushions in a pile on a blanket — a perfect spot to enjoy a glass or two of sangria.
Light up your world
When the weather warms up the best time to head outdoors is when the light falls. But just because it’s dark it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy all the visual delights of a Spanish-inspired garden. Light up your world with colourful paper lanterns and string lights strung over a fence or a table to create your very own Spanish taverna.
Just add water
Creating a water feature for your garden is easier than it looks and provides an instant sense of calm and relaxation. Water is an essential part of any good Mediterranean garden to provide relief from the heat and a soothing point of interest.
DIY your own water feature >>
If you don’t want to go all out on a fountain you can still bring water to your garden — simply find a large bowl, fill it with water and float some candles on top for an instant water feature that doubles as lighting for your after-dark feast.
Pot it up
From balconies to backyards, potted plants are a great way to bring a Spanish feel to your garden. Fill terracotta pots with colour — think geraniums, irises, poppies, lavender and woody herbs such as rosemary and thyme. Lemon trees are also a great feature plant that suit pots and have the added bonus of providing you with an essential sangria ingredient.
A feast for the senses
The final touch you need for your Spanish garden is a feast. Invite neighbours, friends and family over to enjoy your new space with a Spanish-inspired feast served up on rustic wooden boards, thrifted porcelain dishes and patterned silver. Serve large jugs of sangria under the stars while revelling in the smells of your fragrant night garden.
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