The garden has become an extension of the home, with people embracing outdoor living more than ever before, through kitchen gardens and summerhouses. There are many different ways your family can enjoy your outdoor space, particularly during the school holidays, from homemade picnics to fun water fights, but it’s important to ensure the space is suitable for all the family, from four-legged pets to small children.

Here are just some of the ways you can create a child and pet friendly space, and how MKM can help.

 

Embrace the beauty of artificial grass

Artificial grass has become a firm favourite, it’s low maintenance, looks great all year round and offers an all-weather outdoor space for families to enjoy whatever the activity.

You can embrace the benefits with Active AIR® Eco Artificial Grass, an air purifying eco-friendly range of realistic looking artificial grass available from MKM. Made with all the family, including pets, in mind, AIR® Grass is both animal and child friendly. No chemicals or pesticides are required for its maintenance, and unlike natural turf, it cannot be dug up by pets. The soft and cushioned feel and mess-free design also makes it great for children to play on.

 

 

Check your surfaces

It’s not just the grass that requires your attention when it comes to different surfaces in the garden, as decking and patios can become hazardous, from slipping in the wet weather to splintering old wood. Consider upgrading your existing decking to composite decking, which offers a durable, long-lasting, and sustainable alternative to timber decking. It is also child and pet friendly as it doesn’t warp, splinter or crack, giving extra peace of mind when loved ones are playing in the garden. Composite decking is also slip-resistant even in the wettest of weathers, offers high levels of UV protection to avoid fading and is also scratch resistant which means you don’t have to worry about damage to the decking from toys or pets.

For paved areas, consider Serenity Cream Porcelain Tiles for a practical solution that won’t compromise on style. Featuring innovative Slip Stop Technology, the tiles feel smooth when dry but become rough and anti-slip when wet, meaning you don’t have to worry about any unexpected slips or trips.

 

Add shaded areas

The sunshine doesn’t often stay for long in the UK so many of us try to make the most of it, but it’s important to have shade in your garden; allowing the whole family to enjoy time outside both comfortably and safely. You can offer shade through parasols, play tents and gazebos, but for a more stylish option, consider the addition of a pergola with strategically placed plants or even a summerhouse. MKM has a wide variety of pergolas and summerhouses to suit gardens of all shapes and sizes and, better yet, they can be delivered straight to your door.

 

Set boundaries

Separate areas of the garden that may not be suitable for little ones and pets, such as steep steps or ponds, with a picket fence or lattice trellis. This allows you to control which areas of the garden are being used at what time, helping to save your favourite flowers from little fingers and digging paws. It also means that in the bad weather, you can stop pets from going onto the grass and treading muddy footprints through the house.

 

For more advice on inspiration on creating the perfect garden for your family, and how MKM can help, discover our latest blogs: https://mkm.com/blog