Do you love DIY? Do you take great pleasure in turning your home into your own little palace, filled with handmade items or just adding a personal touch to make it yours? What about the spaces outside? Did you remember to spruce them up or have they been left to the wild?

If you are looking for inspiration to turn your garden or courtyard into a relaxing place to sit, there are many books on landscaping that can help you to create the perfect garden retreat with step-by-step directions so you cannot go wrong.

Maybe you have a large garden but are looking to turn a small part of it into a secluded seating area, where you can enjoy reading your favourite books with no distractions, sit back on a summer day with a glass of Pimm’s or just watch the local wildlife go about there business.

Books on landscaping small gardens are readily available online or from your local library. They include hints and tips on how to get the most from the space including how to keep it as low maintenance as possible, even if that is what you require.

You may want to include a small water feature in your cosy space. The sound of falling water is known to have a relaxing effect, so a small pond made from a sunken barrel or a wall mounted fountain might just finish off your space perfectly.

Using furniture that is too large for the area can make it look cramped and not at all cosy, so it is important that when landscaping, this is also taken into consideration. Small bistro-style tables and chairs often look fabulous in a smaller space. If the shade is required then by strategically placing larger palm type plants and trees, it will create a natural shade that will help the feel of the garden space flow.