Make your garden a place for social gatherings

What makes a garden somewhere that others want to gravitate to?

What makes a garden inviting?

Is it because you ticked the boxes and now your garden has an outdoor cooking area, a pool, and a firepit? - Tick!

Read on and we will discuss how to make your garden a social gathering place others want to spend time in.

creating an intimate garden

Intimate is defined as: "(of a place or situation) encouraging close, friendly relationships"

So when we talk about an intimate garden, we are looking at the factors that make people feel close to one another, share stories, and be up close and personal rather than just social. 

It really comes down to how you like to socialise. So that needs to beconsidered and then the garden designed around what will allow you to experience a connection with others that is rewarding.

Cooking is certainly a cornerstone of what can draw people together.

Having a pizza oven and getting everyone involved in the making of the pizza, choosing their own ingredients, etc brings closeness.

The smell of the wood fire, the sight of the embers glowing and the cheese bubbling, evokes conversations and feelings of, "Mmm, that one's mine, yum!"

What do you like to cook? What do your friends like to eat?

Your cooking set up can play a big part in what will attract others and provide everyone with a good time.

first consider what you like

As we tend to gravitate toward people with similar values and interests, if you just design a garden around who you are and want's important to you, you would likely have a garden that others appreciate too. However, considering what your friends do appreciate, holds value and deserves a moment to contemplate.

Part of the joy of creating a garden is having it be an authentic reflection of you. Your friends no doubt appreciate who you are, your personality. So when we talk about a garden being authentic to who you are, we are saying the garden should reflect your personality.

Here is an example. If you are someone who loves art and attends galleries to enjoy sculptures, you'd kind of expect at least one sculpture to be in your garden. If you are passionate about the environment, a formal garden with trimmed box hedges would seem out of character. However, seeing a veggie garden and bee hive and fruit trees in your garden would seem 'normal' as it represents who you are.

And of course, not all your friends appreciate what you do in life. So you might find that your style of garden, if it is truely authentic, may not be to others taste, but they will appreciate that, "Oh yes, this garden is so you!" - They will admire you for creating something that's clearly a statement of who you are, and enjoy it, as they enjoy your company.

There is immense satisfaction in creating something others enjoy. Creating a garden that others walk into and say, "Wow, your garden is just beautiful. I mean seriously, it's elegant and I love how you have...." - creating beauty elevates everyone! You included.

Few moments in life compare to the joy of giving something to someone and witnessing the happiness it brings them. It appears that giving is indeed more fulfilling than receiving. And that applies to watching your friends and family enjoy the space you have created.

Flowers are gifted to uplift spirits. A garden, however, has an even greater impact, fostering a sense of tranquility. The joy derived from being enveloped by beauty is a gift from Mother Nature, readily available and just waiting for your appreciation.

When you consider what kind of garden you would like, consider the aesthetic quality that would elicit a feeling of joy in others.

having an open space

We have talked about being intimate. Let's talk about an open space.

What do we mean by open space? Well, the obvious one is a lawn. A grassed area allows people to walk, to discover, to lounge on the ground and bath in the sun or drink a glass of red. Grass under foot has a grounding effect. Have you seen people walk onto grass and immediately feel the need to take their shoes off and feel the cool, green blades of grass between their toes?

At the owners request, this Hawthorn home was designed with a large lawn so social gathering could take place with plenty of room.

The curved formation is a more natural design, to allow a meandering flow to provide a serene sense of place.

This photo is of me with my kids. As we sat in a spacious open courtyard with gravel surround, we had our own corner to sit and share. 

Open space allows something magical to occur. There is a calm serene feeling that washes over you and allows a state of being that resembles a meditative state. Consider how an open space would add to your design?

make the garden comfortable

If you have friends in their late 50s or early 60s, you might want to design a firepit area where everyone can gather at night with their favorite drink and enjoy a good conversation. Including a backrest on the bench seats around the firepit can enhance comfort and encourage longer, more enjoyable gatherings.

This firepit area was designed for a retired couple in Mornington. 

The structure was later covered in vine to soften it and add another dimension.

The backrest allowed endless hours to be spent around the open fire sharing stories.

catering for kids

Yes, if you wish to have your friends and family come over to your house, kids need catered for.

The different ages require different things and not all kids interests are the same. Some want grass to play balls, some who are older would appreciate a teenage retreat like a firepit area. yes kids love flames.

This basketball court was installed in a Glen Iris project.

The kids could play for hours on the court at the back of the property and when they bored them, they came down for a swim in the pool.

If the kids are catered for, the adults are content. Consider what you could include in your garden to make it inviting for kids.

Empowering yourself

If knowledge is power and power can inspire, please take advantage of the following articles and let them spark your creativity!

Putting garden back in Garden State

How having the right garden can change your whole life

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