Garden Design Fun at the Ideal Home Show: Outdoor Living, Play Spaces & Grow-Your-Own Inspiration

This year’s Ideal Home Show has taken garden design to joyful new heights. From edible planting schemes to sporty back garden adventures, the message is clear: your outdoor space can be so much more than a lawn and a few pots. It can be a place to play, gather, relax – and even feed the family. Whether you’ve got a sprawling lawn or a compact patio, the show is brimming with inspiring ideas to reimagine your garden as a hub of outdoor living.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the season’s most exciting garden trends, all brought to life at this year’s show.

 

Grow Your Own: Edible Gardens with Style

Home-grown produce isn’t just for country cottages – it’s a rising trend even in urban settings. The gardens at the Ideal Home Show demonstrate how easy it can be to incorporate raised beds, vertical planters and even edible borders into everyday outdoor spaces.

Whether you’re after fresh herbs by the kitchen door or a full veg patch bursting with kale and courgettes, the key is to start small and scale up. The beauty of grow-your-own gardening is that it brings both flavour and satisfaction – plus, it’s a great way to get the whole family involved.

Sporty Gardens: Turn Your Lawn into a Play Zone

Who says the garden’s just for looking at? This year’s show encourages everyone to use their outdoor spaces – and what better way than by adding a bit of fun and fitness? Think multi-purpose lawns perfect for a kickabout, mini cricket pitch or garden yoga space.

Designers at the show have cleverly combined landscaping with functionality, proving that with a bit of smart planning, you can enjoy both a stylish setting and an active space. It's all about balance – creating zones that work for kids and adults alike.

Outdoor Living Spaces: Gardens Made for Gatherings

Forget hiding indoors – the latest garden designs invite you to make the most of your outdoor space all year round. Whether it’s a firepit corner with cosy seating, a summer-ready outdoor kitchen, or a pergola-covered dining area, the emphasis is firmly on creating social spaces that feel like an extension of your home.

The Ideal Home Show’s outdoor living setups are full of clever touches: all-weather furniture, subtle lighting, and heat sources that stretch the season well into autumn. It’s all about making your garden as inviting as your lounge.

Home & Garden Inspiration at Every Turn

The energy at this year’s Ideal Home Show is infectious. Wandering through the garden exhibits, it's impossible not to be struck by the creativity on show – from water features and wildflower meadows to smart garden tech and space-saving solutions.

But the inspiration doesn’t stop there. Inside the show, you’ll find home styling ideas, clever gadgets, and trend-led interiors that will have your head spinning with possibilities.

The Takeaway: Your Garden, Your Way

If there’s one message ringing loud and clear from this year’s Ideal Home Show, it’s this: your garden can be anything you want it to be. A productive patch, a playground, a party zone – or all three. With a little imagination and the right ideas, your outdoor space can work harder and feel more alive than ever before.

So whether you're planning a garden refresh or just looking for a spark of inspiration, the Ideal Home Show is the perfect place to start.