As we move into summer, we’re approaching what would have been the start of the festival season.
But, with major events like Glastonbury, Latitude, and Wireless all cancelled because of coronavirus, many of us will be wondering how we’re going to fill that festival-shaped hole in our lives.
If you’re lucky enough to have a garden and are looking for a way to satisfy your yearning for music, tipis, and fun in the sun, then you can always give your outside space a little festival-inspired makeover.
Not only will this give you a welcoming place to escape to, but it’s also a great way to ensure you’re making the most of your garden and getting as much outdoor time as possible.
David Boultbee from Ultra LEDs has these five tips for creating a festival-themed garden so you can soak up some of that atmosphere even if you can’t go to Glastonbury this year.
1. Add some shelter
It wouldn’t be an authentic festival experience without a tent, so you’ll want to set one up somewhere in your garden. Tipis have a whimsical vibe that’s perfect for this, and they’re great spaces to chill out in.
Plus, they’ll allow you to really make the most of your garden throughout the summer by giving you a place to shelter in the event of a shower or when temperatures drop after dark.
Be sure to add cosy blankets, cushions, some battery-powered fairy lights, and lanterns to your tipi so you can snuggle up inside after dark.
2. Add lighting
The fun doesn’t stop after night falls, so you’ll want to add a few lighting options to your garden. Not only will this help to make your space feel more authentically festive and celebratory, but it will mean you can continue to use your garden after the sun sets throughout the summer.
Festoon lights are a common sight at festivals: a set with warm white bulbs will provide enough illumination for the evening, as well as a romantic ambience.
For an extra festival-ready look, add a string of bunting to the cabling, as this will make your lights look fabulous during the daytime, too.
It’s best to use a variety of different lighting styles, as this will provide good illumination and highlight different areas of your garden. Solar lights on stakes look great along pathways, edged around patios, and in flowerbeds, while uplights on walls and fences will add drama.
Finally, complete your space by adding a few flickering LED candles, lanterns, and tealights to seating areas and decks.
3. Create some boho decorations
Decorations can really help set the atmosphere, so if you’d like your mini Glastonbury look even more authentic, be sure to add some bunting, flags, garlands, and other accessories with a bohemian festival feel.
While you can pick up lots of these things at garden centres or online, you could also try your hand at making your own: not only is this a fun activity to do during lockdown, but it’s often more eco-friendly than buying new stuff. Plus, homemade decorations will really add to the free-spirited, boho look you’re going for.
The only limit here is your imagination, so take a look at what you’ve got at home and start getting creative. For example, old clothes can be upcycled into bunting, and all it takes to turn an old sheet into a flag or banner is some fabric paint and a little imagination.
Old cans make great DIY lanterns and candleholders, and you can use coloured paper or card to make some Mexican fiesta-style paper garlands. Before long, your garden should be starting to look like a real festival.
4. Set up a bar and serve festival snacks
Having a few pints in the sunshine and snacking on some tasty street food is an essential part of the festival experience for most people.
And, when you’re partying in your garden, you won’t have to spend a small fortune on a pint, or queue for 30 minutes to get served. So, set up a home bar in your garden, and put together a menu featuring all of your festival favourites.
Burgers, mini pizzas, tacos, and hotdogs are all staple festival foods but, given that you’re at home, you can make any kind of food you fancy. As for your bar, be sure to have a cooler and some ice on hand to keep your drinks cold and save you making multiple trips to the fridge.
5. Complete the atmosphere with some great music
No festival is complete without great music. While you may not be able to get a live band in your garden, you can listen to old live sets from your favourite acts, or even play past performances from previous festivals.
Or, you could put together a playlist based on the line-up for a festival you were scheduled to attend later this year.
Either way, once the sun is shining and you’ve got some music playing in your garden, it’ll be almost as good as the real deal. And, what’s more, you can enjoy it all summer long.
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