When considering your home, ensuring the accessibility of the outdoor space is essential – and it’s not just about adding a ramp to the door. There is much that can be done to ensure the whole garden works for everyone; incorporating those personal interests and preferences is at the heart of what we do at John Ford Group.
Spend a little time with us now, as we discuss some of the things you can do to create an accessible outdoor living space.
Planning Your Accessible Outdoor Living Space
The first step towards creating a wonderful garden that works for everyone is assessing the existing space. You need to evaluate your current outdoor area with a fresh eye, seeking opportunities for improvement and noting any potential challenges. While some will be immediately obvious – steep steps, for example, others might not be so clear.
If you’re looking for professional help, John Ford Group can offer an expert assessment and recommendation. We will work hand-in-hand with you to discuss and plan the best alterations with all the experience and expertise you need to overcome any possible problems.
Ensuring Access and Safety
One of the very first and most important things to cover is access; this is especially true for older garden users, wheelchair users, or anyone with mobility difficulties.
Identify all the common outdoor barriers that may present a problem, such as:
- Steps
- Slippery slopes
- Uneven terrain
- Narrow doorways and paths
- Overgrown bushes that encroach on pathways
These can often be easily solved through dedicated ramps, levelling thresholds, widening pathways, and cutting back wild foliage.
Being able to safely navigate the garden is essential. In addition to removing barriers, consider widening paths and additional seating for rest stops, plus install outdoor handrails for extra safety and support.
Creating Functional Zones
Zoning your garden may be a strange concept for many, but it has been part of professional landscaping for centuries. Though you may not live in a manor house with its separate vegetable patches, orchards, rose gardens, and water features (we can all dream!), that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider your accessible outdoor living space in similar ways.
Designate distinct areas for different activities, such as:
- A dining area with accessible seating and tables that is within easy reach of the house
- A flower garden with a lawn that has a wide access pathway
- Raised herb and vegetable patches that can be easily tended by wheelchair users or those who struggle with bending
- A quiet relaxation zone with comfortable seating and shade
- A sensory garden or therapeutic space tailored to different ages and senses. This can incorporate fragrant plants and grasses to enhance smell; colourful flowers, wildlife attracting features, and even ornamental mirrors for sight; different textures of paving, grass, and bark for touch; fruit trees, herbs, and vegetable gardens to enjoy taste; and chimes or bird boxes to present pleasant sounds.
By separating your garden into zones, you can concentrate on the needs of that distinct environment, bringing it to the fore and improving the overall experience of the garden with areas for different needs and moods.
Illuminating the Outdoors
Gardens can be enjoyed at any time of the day and night, and by adding good modern lighting you ensure that the outdoor space is both safe and also inviting. Consider the following lighting to bring out the best in the garden:
- Path lighting – LED lighting at path edges will provide additional safety and navigation help that also looks beautiful.
- Ambient lighting – General lighting that is well placed can enhance the look of the garden when the sun has gone down.
- Task lighting – Motion-activated lights to come on and clearly illuminate an area will make the garden safer.
- Accent lighting – Fairy lights, festoon lights, and spotlights on plants provide visual highlights to give your accessible outdoor living space a warm and inviting feel in the evening.
Making the Garden Fun (for all ages!)
What makes an accessible outdoor living space so special is its versatility. Gardens should be somewhere that the whole family can enjoy, no matter their age.
Younger Children
Children enjoy the energy of the garden. If the space is large enough, consider swings, slides, and a sunken trampoline that provides accessible bouncy fun! Smaller spaces benefit from water tables and mud kitchens, providing essential tactile and fun learning experiences.
Teenagers and Young Adults
Shaded areas like summer houses or pergolas are particularly enjoyable when socialising is at the forefront of your mind. A dedicated and well-maintained fire pit can turn a cold evening into a fantastic shared memory, while expanses of grass are great for daytime activities like sunbathing and games.
Older Adults
The peace a garden provides is second to none. Raised planters allow for accessible gardening, while viewing areas for wildlife offer an opportunity to while away a day in joyful contemplation – add bird boxes or feeders to encourage both feathered and furry friends.
Sturdy and comfortable seating and tables ensure that time outside isn’t cut short by a lack of suitable furniture, while features such as awnings can help with the changeable weather.
Designing the Perfect Accessible Outdoor Living Space with John Ford Group.
Accessible outdoor living spaces improve quality of life, promote independence, and provide opportunities for connection with nature; they are an essential part of creating a nurturing and welcoming environment for people of all ages and are especially valuable for those who may find longer trips away from the home particularly difficult.
While some aspects of the garden design and landscaping can be done as a loving DIY project, there are times when it’s a good idea to call in the professionals – especially when safety is a key consideration. At John Ford Group we have the expertise you can rely on to create the perfect garden. Contact us today to find out more.