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Gardening ideas for home


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(Image credit: RHS/Sarah Cuttle)

This round-up of garden ideas will help inspire you to create a wonderful retreat in your backyard. Garden ideas can cover everything from quick improvements, such as new containers packed with blooms to larger-scale projects, such as redesigning an area of your garden for vegetables. 

In good weather, our gardens are our go-to spaces. They have the power to create the peace, purpose and pleasure we all need in our lives. Plus, they can provide us with cut flowers, vegetables and herbs. 

So, if you're looking for garden inspiration and design ideas for your outdoor spaces, look no further than our pick of the best garden ideas for any size or shape of space.

Garden ideas

We have covered garden ideas of every manner in this guide, from coastal to English to vegetable garden ideas. Take inspiration to create a space that's personal, and special, to you, whether a relaxed and informal family space, or a more formal garden design.

1. Grow a garden you can bring indoors

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you love flowers, why not plan a cut flower garden? All this really involves is planning your planting around the blooms you love. It might be that you indulge in typical English garden ideas, such as rose garden ideas, for example, or perhaps Mediterranean garden ideas are more suited to your local climate?

'Plant roses among grasses and perennials, with the plan to let them intermingle,' says award-winning garden designer Colm Joseph . 'When choosing roses, go for those with simpler, open flowers that are closer to the wild or hedgerow roses, rather than anything too ornamental or blousy. Although wild roses only usually flower once in early summer, they produce beautiful hips for fall and winter interest.'

And if you're looking to keep your roses – and all other plants – healthy, then you may need to learn how to add calcium to soil. This act will ensure the soil is at the best pH for growth as they encourage strong cell walls that ensure the plant grows upright.

2. Grow a kitchen or herb garden

(Image credit: Future/Leigh Clapp)

You needn't have a large space to grow fruit, vegetables or herb. You can be creative with kitchen garden ideas and grow it all in one huge pot, or in a series of container gardening ideas. 

'If you are a beginner to gardening or have little time for maintaining a garden, herb garden ideas are simple and satisfying,' says Homes & Gardens' garden editor Rachel Crow. 'You can grow enough in a container like the one above, in a window planter or even indoors.'

3. Pack a punch in a narrow space

(Image credit: Future / Annaick Guitteny)

If you are looking for plenty of planting but have a thin plot, look to clever narrow garden ideas. One of the best is to put in neat raised beds and layer planting, from tall to mid-height to low to make your flower beds pack a punch.

'Planting trees to espalier is a good way to create screening and plenty of greenery without allowing trees' branches to protrude into a narrow garden,' says Rachel Crow. 

4. Create a garden that loves dry conditions

(Image credit: Jo Thompson Garden Design/ Photograph Rachel Warne)

If you are looking for coastal garden ideas, it pays to plan a dry garden that can withstand a lack of rain, and look to south-facing garden ideas for ways to mitigate against the potential lack of shelter and more extreme weather.

'Putting in coastal plants will save you the heartache of losing plants you love but which just aren't suited to the conditions,' says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief of Homes & Gardens. 'If the climate in your zone is wetter, you can look to include tropical garden ideas, but the key to success is always to pick plants that suit your locale.'

Whether you are going for a tropical or coastal garden design, consider breaking up the landscaping with rock garden ideas and gravel garden ideas.

5. Consider plants for a north-facing plot

(Image credit: Tom Massey)

If your garden gets little natural light, you'll need to look specifically for north-facing garden ideas. For your borders, this includes the best shade plants, including the best shrubs for shade that can keep your garden green throughout summer and winter.

But it will also include tricks to keep the garden light and bright, from choosing white-flowering plants to laying pale-colored, light-reflecting stone or wood for your patio. There are many different white garden ideas you could try.

6. Plant a sensory space

(Image credit: RHS/Sarah Cuttle)

Sensory garden ideas can be incorporated into any garden's design, whatever its style or size.

'Sensory gardens are all about the emotional and physical effects they have on you,' explains Homes & Gardens' Digital Editor Jennifer Ebert. 'This includes everything from sensory garden plants, which are a real treat for the senses, through to the textures you can enjoy visually and through touch of the materials you choose for your hard landscaping. Even the sound of trickling water can be a sensory treat, and of course, blocks out the sound of everything from traffic to neighbors.'

7. Plan vertical planting into a small space

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)

Vertical garden ideas include everything from living walls through to planting on terraces in sloping gardens.

'Don't be afraid to use tall or upright plants to emphasize the verticality of your plot,' says gardening writer Natasha Goodfellow . 'Sloping gardens can be difficult to work with but they are also often far more interesting and appear larger than a flatter site.'

8. Plant sustainably

(Image credit: Beth Chatto's Garden and Nursery)

Sustainable garden ideas really ought to be higher up on our list. So where to start? Gardening sustainably is all about planting what will thrive in your local climate so that you have to have as little input as possible in maintaining them with precious resources, such as water, for example.

'If possible, start with the structure: trees, then hedges, shrubs and climbers,' says Marian Boswall, author of Sustainable Garden . 'After that, consider herbaceous perennials and, finally, annuals.'

9. Create a view

(Image credit: Claire Merriman Design)

Designing a vista that you can enjoy just a step from your property is top of the garden ideas wish list. Think about how entertaining spaces can flow out from the house with seating areas and smart patio ideas.

In this total overhaul of an overgrown five acre site, central to the design is the large terrace area that sweeps around the house allowing views straight out from the kitchen and living room across colourful borders to the lake and wildflower meadow beyond. 

‘To maintain those views, patio planting across the terrace is predominantly low with swathes of colour from Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’, Rosmarinus ‘Tuscan Blue’ and Veronica umbrosa ‘Georgia Blue’,' says Claire Merriman of Claire Merriman Design .  

'Repeated spheres of Elaeagnus ebbingei, Hebe topiaria and Pittosporum tobira Nanum pull the areas of the terrace together while stunning multi-stem Koelreuteria paniculata trees allow views out into the wider landscape.’

Pots on the terrace allow seasonal planting to be added throughout the year.

(Image credit: Butter Wakefield)

Water is a wonderful element to incorporate into outdoor spaces. Not only will it attract wildlife but the sight and sound can be incredibly soothing especially in town scenarios.

‘The magnificent scale of an antique limestone trough adds immediate importance to this city garden,’ says garden designer Butter Wakefield . ‘It effortlessly creates a sense of drama whilst providing a focal point to the immense side elevation of the house.’

For unique water feature ideas, frame a trough like this with a combination of white and pale pink climbing roses and the evergreen jasmine.

11. Divide a large lawn with hedges

(Image credit: Charlotte Rowe)

‘Over-large lawns can feel purpose-less,’ says designer Charlotte Rowe . Dividing the space into garden rooms will ensure that green spaces have different purposes, such as a terrace area for eating or a patch for growing vegetables.

In this project, a rethink of a garden resulted in two lawns separated by layers of box and hornbeam as well as pleached hornbeam trees, which is among the ideas for landscaping with evergreens.

‘The pleached central hedge cleverly divides the garden, but also allows views down into the shadier part of the garden where the owners have raised garden beds with vegetables and salads as well as a garden shed,’ adds Charlotte Rowe.

Subtle lighting makes this garden atmospheric at night – key trees and pleached hornbeams are uplit while Cor-Ten steel posts, with a rusty finish, create low level lighting along the gravel paths.

This is one of many backyard landscaping ideas for bigger gardens.

12. Create presence and proportion

(Image credit: Joanne Alderson)

In big open spaces, this is one of those garden ideas where it is possible to create interest and intrigue with large-scale topiary and symmetry. The classical Georgian style house in this project, designed by Jo Alderson Phillips and Rob Jones, needed a garden of equal presence and proportion and was built on the site of a neglected tennis court. 

‘The anchors here are a succession of yew topiary domes leading through each colour coordinated garden with the owner’s sculptures creating beautiful sight lines,’ say the designers. ‘We bought the topiary, which each weighed two tonnes, at Solitair in Belgium, a nursery that specialises in these fantastic mature specimens.’

Hedges and intriguing doorways around the garden are planted with Ilex crenata ‘Dark Green’ (Japanese box) and more structural evergreens are provided by umbrella pruned Pinus sylvestris with Osmanthus fragrans providing scent later in the year.

13. Define a path

(Image credit: Charlotte Rowe)

Whatever the shape or size of your garden, it will almost certainly have a path that travels from the back door to the end of your garden. Think about the function as well as aesthetic when looking at garden path ideas and deciding on the line or curve of your path.

In this garden by Charlotte Rowe, in the far end of the garden a swathe of Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ fragrances the air alongside the path, providing summer nectar for the bees. Understated chunky wooden benches are placed on the other side and under the shade of the garden’s mature trees to create a place to sit and admire the garden.

14. Install a fireplace

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Whatever the season or climate, a permanent outdoor fireplace is a design focal point as well as a source of heat in the cooler times of the day.

Bear in mind that these kinds of fireplaces need to have specialist installation and look for high quality, compact outdoor fires that can withstand year-round weather conditions and use.

15. Be bold with color

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Color is the new eye catcher for garden ideas. It's often the norm in classic gardens to paint outdoor details in harmonious colors to blend in with surroundings, but outdoor worthy paint formulas are meaning that we can paint architectural features, such as pillars, garden walls and screens in all manner of uplifting hues.

‘We love the idea of adding unique combinations to create a Mediterranean feel amongst dark green foliage,' says Ruth Mottershead, Creative Director of Little Greene .  

Pair a piercing blue paint like 'Marine Blue' on architectural details and pillars with a hit of bright sunshine yellow using plant pots painted in 'Mister David'.

16. Create a night garden

(Image credit: Vincent Sheppard)

Good outdoor lighting ideas are key to creating a perfect ambience outdoors and adds a certain je ne sais quoi to social events. Chosen carefully, it submerges everything in a warm glow while adding a magical touch to your evening. 

‘Garland lights are a classic way to create a celebratory atmosphere as night falls – a little roof of light which literally brings people closer together,’ says Coralie Claeys, Managing Director of Vincent Sheppard .  

These ‘Light My Table’ string lights can be clipped onto the sides of a table and don’t need to be fixed to anything nearby.

17. Be playful with sculpture

(Image credit: David Harber)

When embellishing the garden with additional decoration like a sculpture, consider its surrounding environment and the impact your garden decor ideas may have on your chosen design and overall space. 

‘Decorative items can both harmonize with their immediate surroundings in tone, texture and form or, indeed, create a striking contrast,’ says sculptor David Harber . 

‘For example, a bright, bold reflective metal piece will both mirror its immediate environment and effectively borrow character and charm from the planting and landscaping surrounding it.’

18. Take tiles from inside to outside

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Incorporating decorative tiles into an outdoor scheme can create a transition from the house to the garden. This can be particularly effective if the same tiles are used inside and out creating a fluid line from interior to exterior.  

'Decorative tiles also work particularly well in small gardens,' says Lee Thornley, founder of Bert and May , 'and can help to define zones.'

Lay them on the floor and up walls to create an inviting feature or outdoor room – this works particularly well if you are looking for outdoor kitchen ideas which demands a natural transition between indoors and out.

19. Use screens to define areas

(Image credit: Screen with Envy)

Garden screens are one of those garden ideas that are an excellent way to create little sanctuaries. Great for providing both garden screening from neighbors and some faraway escapism with pretty Moroccan inspired fretwork. 

‘Be creative with the screens you use, using them to section off areas of your outside space to create specific relaxation zones,’ says Sophie Birkert, founder of Screen with Envy . ‘This year has seen the home become multifunctional and this can be extended into the garden, with different sectioned off areas designated for different activities. ’

How about a kids-only area and a cozy snug just for the adults?

20. Choose furniture to last

(Image credit: Little Greene)

When buying garden furniture, it’s important to think about maximising its use. Look at arrangements that focus on comfort which will set the scene for a lazy brunch, or smart armchairs which add a little glamour for cocktail hour. 

‘Sun-soaked spaces are ideal for al fresco entertaining, so choose lightweight furniture that you are able to move your seating to follow the best light,’ says Barlow Tyrie .

A pedestal table with taller legs will create elegant long shadows as time passes, and a high vantage point dramatically enhances your view of the garden and beyond.

21. Plant a long border

(Image credit: Greencube)

The secret to a successful long border is planting throughout the seasons. In the sunny flower bed idea above, a purple, white and pink fusion was planted by Mandy Buckland of Greencube .

‘The backbone structure includes Taxus domes and Hydrangea 'Madame Emille Mouillere’ but in June it is time for the herbaceous perennials to inject some colour,' says Mandy. 

‘I planted Nepeta 'Walkers Low’ along with Salvia ‘Caradonna’ with added Foxglove seeds to provide vertical height as well as Allium 'Mount Evereste'. Geranium ‘Rozanne’ covers the ground and keeps the weeds out, filling the gaps a workhorse of the mix, this matrix planting changes throughout the seasons. Next are the Pennisetum ornamental grasses along with the Hydrangeas to take the border into Autumn.’

Remember to add height and contrast in the background. Mandy Buckland included standard Ilex 'Nellie R Stevens’ trees to add interest to the background Beech hedge.

22. Add a firepit area

(Image credit: Magma Firepits)

A moveable heat source in the garden means we can stay out longer and later whatever the season. Choose from backyard fire pit ideas, chimneas, and bowls.

‘I have a firepit in my garden that also doubles up as a barbecue,’ says designer Sarah Vanrenen , ‘and we enjoy many nights outside by the fire cooking and keeping warm at the same time.’

Create a zone in your outdoor space that feels like an outdoor living room or cozy nook. 

‘Sometimes a patio can be daunting because there are no defining walls or parameters so I often treat gardens as I do houses, and make “rooms”, by compartmentalising with planting to make different and interesting areas to go to and to sit in,' adds Sarah. 

23. Make your garden bee-friendly

(Image credit: Future/Val Corbett)

Every garden regardless of size can be both bee friendly and beautiful. Bees, like us, favour flowers with bountiful open blooms, and long flowering seasons. 

‘Bees are after pollen and nectar and generous examples include geraniums, lavender, open dahlias and globe thistle,’ says Sean McMenemy, Director of Ark Wildlife . ‘Plus herbs such as marjoram, sage and chives and flowering shrubs like buddleia, cotoneaster and apple blossom. ’

Why not make a bee ‘nectar filling station? It’s simply a pot or pots filled with flowers that attract bees and a shallow dish of water (bees need to drink). Make sure you keep flowers blooming in the pot from March to September by changing them as they fade.

24. Position a pergola

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)

A pergola is a simple way to create an enclosed space with a smattering of fragrance if the right plants are incorporated. Be sure of your reasons for embarking on this kind of project before you get going as size, position and planning permission all need to be considered when you're looking at pergola ideas.

‘Only have a pergola or an arbor if you think you absolutely need one,’ says designer Charlotte Rowe . ‘I say this, as often people think that they will give you shelter from the rain when in fact they really don’t and are more useful as a garden shade idea providing shade from the sun. So my first tip would be to think carefully about whether a pergola or arbor will add value to your garden and be sure that it will not give you too much shade!’

Then consider position. You can create a sense of romance with your chosen placement. 

Garden designer Rebecca Smith recommends a pergola that arches over a path through the garden to create a shaded and scented tunnel: ‘In a long garden, a pergola placed at the end of the garden can create a “destination” for different times of day and can also help screen a garage or garden shed for view,’ she says.

25. Dress your space

(Image credit: Neptune)

When designing an outdoor space it’s important to consider a number of things, primarily comfortable seating, lighting and texture. 

‘Our Hayburn sofas are the perfect way to combine comfort and relaxation with contemporary aesthetic and efficient design,’ says George Miller, Home Designer at Neptune , of the brand's patio furniture ideas.

‘With deep-seated cushions and an all-weather wicker-weave base, the seating has been designed to be outside rain or shine. Add a simple sheepskin or throw to ward off the cool evening chill and scatter cushions for a drop of color. Dressing your space with layers will create character, personality and an inviting atmosphere.'

As for lighting, weather-proof cordless lamps and festoon lights are both perfect for sliding into the darker nights. 

26. Consider pavers

(Image credit: Little Greene)

In their various finishes – ranging from wood or stone effects to tactile surfaces that resemble concrete – tiles combine superlative appearance with outstanding longevity. 

Be sure that whatever you choose for your patio the materials are resistant to loads, slipping, frost, thermal shock, mould, stains and the action of chemicals including salt, often used to prevent ice on outdoor surfaces. 

Gardens, patios or paths across lawns can be laid dry on sand and gravel for a contemporary take and facilitates drainage. 

(Image credit: Farlam and Chandler)

‘Most designers are “civil engineers” with a love of plants, meaning that the entire project comes under their jurisdiction,’ says Louisa Bell MSGD.

But it’s not just about the technical side. ‘A good designer has the imagination to create a bespoke design for you,' says Juliet Sargeant FSGD, 'plus the ingenuity to solve the site problems and the practical experience to implement the plans cost-effectively.’ 

Being clear about your needs from the offset will help with the design process and a good designer will make sure to draw out every detail about exactly what your wants and needs are – knowing how to commission a garden designer will help get the best from them. 

‘The best projects are formed by a great working relationship and the process is fun. The right designer will be able to help in the right way,’ add Ben Chandler of Farlam & Chandler . 

28. Plant a cottage garden

(Image credit: Rosemary Coldstream)

Traditional cottage garden ideas encapsulate a hand-made, do-it-yourself style of gardening. When it comes to planting include a mix of simple flowers and edible plants. 

‘Always think right plant, right place’,' says garden designer Rosemary Coldstream .  

Roses are the first choice but they must be scented. Then add height with Hollyhocks, Delphiniums and Foxgloves. For other flower shapes try the flat panicles of Achillea, ball shaped inflorescences of Globe Thistle (Echinops ritro) or cheerful daisy flowers of Leucanthemum or Rudbeckia.

‘Scented, herbal and healing varieties will by definition be beneficial to butterflies and bees, and when combined with some good structure you will have a chocolate box image of an English garden,’ adds Debbie Roberts of Acres Wild .

29. Define a space with a rug

(Image credit: nanimarquina)

For courtyard gardens, roof gardens, terraces, yards or other outdoor areas, a rug is a useful way to define a zone and create a purposeful area. Go for an outdoor rug that has the design and feel of its indoor cousins but is water and weatherproof. 

‘I like to design rugs that are visually amazing, that people will enjoy,’ says Nani Marquina of nanimarquina .

Choose materials that are weather resistant such as recycled PET fiber that gives a second lease of life to plastic bottles, guaranteeing the traceability and certification of the materials and the manufacturing processes.

30. Make the most of small gardens

(Image credit: Sadolin)

Small garden ideas really need to punch above their weight. One way to do so is to use all the tricks in the book to make a small garden look bigger, but realistically, you are still going to want to squeeze in outdoor living room ideas, planting and outdoor dining ideas. The best solution? To combine them into one neat floorplan, like in this compact space above.

How can I make my garden look more beautiful?

‘Designing’ our gardens as opposed to just ‘gardening’ our outdoor spaces is the starting point for the nirvana of a ‘beautiful’ garden. Just like a good-looking room, the trick to how to plan a garden perfectly is to consider how the space is used, how you want it to make you feel, the colour palette, the personality and the functionality. 

Designer Ben Chandler of Farlam & Chandler takes a look at the owner’s tastes when it comes to defining the right style for a project - and you can take the same approach.  

‘We ask our clients what they enjoy about gardens, whether they have favourite gardens or houses they have visited and if they have favourite plants,’ he says. 

Here’s what to consider:

How can I make my garden easier to look after?

Let’s face it gardening can be time consuming and sometimes we just don’t have the patience or inclination to tend to our green spaces. Here are a few simple garden ideas to make life a little easier...

What are good themes for a garden?

There are a myriad of garden styles the world over that can adopt or use as inspiration for our own gardens. The following garden ideas will help you:

Wild meadow ‘Habitats for our native wildlife are shrinking – but it doesn’t have to be this way. Planting a wildflower meadow as well as giving nature space to recover by leaving areas of gardens to go wild all makes a difference.’ 

So says Mark Wright, Director of Science at the WWF . The first step is shifting your mindset around gardening. Don’t be afraid to let your outdoor spaces grow a little wild as wildflower habitats have traditionally provided a home for bees and beetles to birds and small animals to thrive in! Choose at least some plants that are native – whether trees or shrubs, hedges or wildflowers – and others that are attractive to insects. For example, buddleia is great for butterflies, whilst lavender, Verbena bonariensis and Echinops all provide pollen and nectar for bees.

Woodland If you live in a rural area, you may already have the making of a garden dominated by native trees and vertical climbers. Look to the base of those trees for signs of the ‘woodlanders’ as gardener Carol Klein calls them. Snowdrops, bluebells, aconites, epimediums and hellebores are typical small plants that love the shade and damp conditions. You can build upon this habitat by planting by the seasons: spring bulbs such as cyclamen and narcissus, taller summer bulbs such lilies, mixed with unfurling and fronded ferns and interesting colored barks.

With over 30 years of working in journalism on women's home and lifestyle media brands, Rhoda is an Editorial Director, Homes Content, at Future. Over time, Rhoda has worked on the entire homes and gardens portfolio including Homes & Gardens, Country Homes & Interiors, Livingetc, Ideal Home, Style at Home, Woman & Home, 25 Beautiful Homes, Amateur Gardening and Easy Gardens. She was also editor of Country Homes & Interiors for 14 years, leading it across print and creating the blog Country Days. She has also worked at Woman’s Weekly, Family Circle and Practical Parenting.

With contributions from

50 Best Small Garden Ideas

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Simple and stunning ways to revamp your balcony, backyard and front gardens.

By Monique Valeris and Alyssa Gautieri

Westend61Getty Images

Being surrounded by fresh greenery and florals improves our physical, emotional and mental well-being — which means houseplants and outdoor gardens are the key to making your house feel like a home, both indoors and out. There are a ton of affordable ways to reinvent your small outdoor space, whether you're hoping to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs, or stick with simple perennial flowers, bushes and ground cover plants. To prove that decorating a small landscape is easier than you may think, we've rounded up charming small garden ideas that you'll want to steal when spring rolls around.

Even in very small garden areas, a little creativity and a couple clever design hacks can go a long way. As you browse these inspiring and colorful outdoor photos, you'll find a ton of garden projects fit for balconies, courtyards, backyards and more. For modern small spaces, you'll want to find affordable patio furniture (like bistro tables, stools, benches and hammocks) to elevate your backyard design.

A few of the genius ideas: plant a tiny floral patch in the backyard, set up a DIY vertical garden, build a raised garden bed or hang fresh herbs from a wooden palette. You'll also discover tips for growing beautiful evergreen shrubs, trailing plants and the best trees for small yards. Keep scrolling and you may even decide to assemble your own backyard pond, outdoor living wall or bubble fountain.

Helen Norman

1 of 50

Gardening Station

Create a spot dedicated to potting and trimming your outdoor plants. The best part? This table is made from a few galvanized barrels and an old wooden door.

Stephen Karlisch

2 of 50

Living Wall

If you don't have floor space to display your plants, mount pots onto the exterior of your house. Here, interior designer Tori Rubinson sticks with terracotta pots, but you can also go for bold patterns and colors!

Christian Durocher

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Wind Chime

Instantly elevate a small garden space with a beautiful bird house wind chime, like designer Kate Anne does here. Not only will it draw birds to your yard, it'll create a soothing sound in the process.

Buff Strickland

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Container Gardening

Green up your patio or deck with oversized terracotta or plastic planters overflowing with anything from tomatoes to wildflowers. (The lush lineup here creates a pretty privacy wall!)

SHOP POTS

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Container Gardening

Inspired by Charm

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Cocktail Garden

You guessed it! A cocktail garden is a space designated to growing ingredients for delicious drinks. Go for herbs like mint, basil and sage, as well as fruits and veggies such as strawberries, cherries and peppers.

Get the tutorial at Inspired by Charm »

Nelli Hergenröther / EyeEmGetty Images

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Barrel Pond

Make use of an old whiskey barrel and create your own backyard pond — a great alternative if you don't have space for a real one. Add your water plants (lily pads, of course) and even a few small fish.

A Beautiful Mess

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Vertical Herb Garden

Whether you have a small yard or lack outdoor space altogether, a vertical garden can be a charming addition. You can create one on your own with landscape fabric and copper pipe.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess »

8 of 50

Lattice Green Wall

Obsessed with lattice? For an unexpected touch to your garden, let the pattern set the foundation for a green wall.

Buff Strickland

9 of 50

Pallet Garden

Attach clay pots to a pallet with nails and stainless steel cable ties for a living art display that keeps your rosemary and basil at the ready. Space out the pots so your plants have room to grow.

SHOP POTS

Elke Borkowski; GAP Photos/El

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Pergola Full of Greens

Grow your garden vertically by trailing plants up the sides of a pergola, fence or outdoor wall. English ivy, pothos and Russian vines are a few great choices.

I Heart Arts N Crafts

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Plant Markers

Keep your garden organized, so harvesting remains quick and easy. Craft your own plant markers using wooden paint sticks and some acrylic paint. Added bonus? This is the perfect craft for kids.

Get the tutorial at I Heart Arts N Crafts »

Lisa Romerein

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Succulent-Filled Birdbath

Hardy succulents, which stow water in their stems and leaves, will thrive in a shallow birdbath perch. Add pebbles to hold more moisture in the soil.

Bless'er House

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Repurposed Shelf Garden Box

If you're partial to vintage-inspired decor and happen to have an old shelf that's been collecting dust in your home, consider turning it into a garden box. It's the perfect spot for herbs like mint, thyme and parsley.

Get the tutorial at Bless'er House »

Scared Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

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DIY Bubble Fountain

With just a few supplies, including a submersible pump, a waterproof pot and decorative river rocks, you can make your garden more zen with an eye-catching DIY bubble fountain.

Get the tutorial at Scared Thoughts of a Crafty Mom »

GAP Photos/Clive Nichols

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Vibrant Chairs

Outfitting a small space doesn't mean you have to settle for drab furniture. The brighter, the better is the way to go to bring your outdoor area to life.

A Beautiful Mess

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Herb Garden

There's something special about an orderly display of potted plants, especially when they're in vibrant colors that showcase the beauty of the season.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess »

MISTANA

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Mistana

Rolf 2-Piece Galvanized Iron Wall Planter Set

Now 44% off

$30 AT WAYFAIR

If you've been longing to give vertical gardening a try, now's your chance. Go for one or two planters, depending on just how green your thumb is.

Sugar & Cloth

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Faux Grass Stepping Stones

You might not have a huge lawn, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a bit of grass — even if it's faux. These faux grass stepping stones are inexpensive to make on your own.

Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth »

Crafts by Amanda

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Mason Jar Planters

Add a country-chic touch to your garden with mason jar planters (pint or quart size), which are perfect for herbs of all kinds. Use outdoor vinyl and a Cricut machine to mark each jar.

Get the tutorial at Crafts by Amanda »

Lisa Romerein

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Fold-Out Shelf

Brian Woodcock

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Patterned Hanging Planters

Enhance greenery or statement floral arrangements with a pair of potted hanging planters. Sure you could go for neutrals, but this geometric floral pattern makes more of a statement.

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andreusKGetty Images

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Hammock

Play up your garden's cozy factor with a stylish hammock, designed for an afternoon nap or getting lost in a good book.

Alex LevineGetty Images

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Globe String Lights

Any outdoor gathering would be so much more fun if classic string lights are in the mix, whether you choose to hang them on a fence or under a pergola.

Courtesy of manufacturer

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Fence Planters

Window boxes can be used in so many creative ways. Fill one with vibrant blooms — a great match for a white picket fence.

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Hanging Colanders

Hang spring flowers in brightly colored colanders for an unexpected porch update.

SHOP COLANDERS

Get the tutorial at Country Living »

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Square Foot Gardening

This highly efficient method divides raised beds into a grid. Vegetables then get planted in one or more squares at a density based on plant size (e.g., you’d plant about 16 radish seeds per square, but only one tomato plant).

RELATED: The Pros and Cons of Square Foot Gardening

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Sol 72 Outdoor

Aanya Hardwood Dark Red Meranti Potting Bench

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With a roomy shelf underneath, this wood piece doubles as a mini garden "shed" for storage. Fill each level with a mix of supplies and gorgeous planters.

Mike Garten

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Flower-Filled Planters

Instantly boost your home’s curb appeal with bright blooms on each side of your front door. Expecting guests? Steal these tricks
from our home team: Add stems from a supermarket bouquet for extra fullness and mint for a fragrant burst.

RazaRaGetty Images

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Potted Fruit Trees

If you've got a tiny patio or balcony, you can grow a fruit tree. Calamondin orange or fig trees especially do well in pots at least 1 foot in diameter and 1 foot deep. Just watch out: Choose a variety that can survive at least two zones colder than where you live, because planters will freeze faster than the ground.

nicolas_Getty Images

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Companion Planting

Placing flowers and veggies together in the same beds doesn't just save space. It'll help boost your yields and keep plants happy by attracting more pollinators.

50+ Summer Flowers for a Picture-Perfect Garden

Monique Valeris Senior Home Editor Monique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital.

Alyssa Gautieri Associate Lifestyle Editor Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design.

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80 interesting ideas for giving.

Beautiful interiors and design

You have every opportunity to get a beautiful and large garden by devoting more time and attention to developing its plan. All this can be done with your own hands, without the involvement of professionals. The design of the garden and vegetable garden is based on the correct distribution of zones.

In this article, we have collected original garden ideas that you can easily bring to life with a little effort.

Photo: DIY garden ideas

What is the ideal garden?

In fact, there are no clear rules, following which you will get the garden of your dreams. All you need is to gain strength, time and patience. When creating flower beds with your own hands, pick plants that will bloom for as long as possible. In the design of flowers, you can use the principle of "rainbow" or simply form flower beds in one color scheme. Warm hues can help make your garden funnier and warmer, while neutral tones bring out the beauty of brighter plants and flowers. nine0003

Interesting ideas for the garden - large garden pots can be used as a design element in the garden

SEE ALSO: Climbing roses, planting and care. 22 photos

A bridge placed in the garden will give integrity and stylistic completeness to the garden composition

Photo: original ideas for a garden with your own hands

Create a garden and a house in the same style!

It is important to remember that a garden is an extension of your home, its outer part. That is why they must be combined with each other. The garden should contain elements of home decoration, or appropriate colors and shapes. The background for the plants is the color of the walls of the house. To make the composition expressive, place lighter plants on a dark background, and vice versa on a light background. nine0003

Backyard design is a great idea to decorate your garden

New DIY ideas for decorating your garden

SEE ALSO: Five Landscape Lighting Ideas

summer cottage, often wonders about the correctness of their care.

Plants are living beings and cannot be completely controlled. Not every gardener knows the intricacies of watering, temperature conditions or top dressing. Improper care can kill your plant very quickly. Therefore, surround your flowers with care and attention, which will soon thank you with their beauty. nine0003
Select garden plants that take root in your garden

Ideas for designing a garden - an example of garden track design

Read also: Platoirs from pavers

Photo: Ideas for decorating the Garden 9000 9000

Interesting DIY Garden Ideas

Make a plan of your area and a list of the plants you want in your garden. Mark on the plan all the sunny and shady corners, which will help you when placing the plants. nine0003

DIY garden design

Diversify the design of your garden

The highlight of your site can be a small pond. Add a couple of moisture-loving plants to it and your garden will sparkle with new colors. You can also divide the site into separate zones. So that they do not visually mix, use a frame with climbing plants or a hedge.

Beautiful ornamental shrubs for summer cottages and gardens

Flowering plants that fill it with bright colors are the real decoration of the garden plot

Photo: original idea for your garden

In addition to practical functions, they carry aesthetic value. Also, do not forget to equip a comfortable and cozy seating area in your garden.

The idea of ​​​​creating a recreation area for a summer house and a garden with your own hands

Photo: ideas for summer cottages and gardens

Decorate your garden with a hammock – create your perfect place to relax and unwind

Ideas for your garden and garden

. Walk around your garden a few times and invite your friends over. Think about how much time you are willing to spend there and what you want to endow your site with. Do not make hasty decisions, because a beautiful garden takes time

Fun ideas for the cottage and garden

Plants that delight with their splendor and enhance the beauty of the house

Green and orange colors will look spectacular in your garden with friends or family

Interesting DIY garden ideas

New garden ideas

A garden that combines greenery, flowers and a large open area covered with lawn

Stones in the landscape design of Garden Plot

Read also: How to arrange a beautiful line of the gas

New ideas for decorating the garden

An example of the design of garden paths using
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Flowers - the Great decorations for stairs in your garden

Install a makeshift bedside table next to the hammock, which will conveniently place all the necessary things

New ideas for the garden and the garden

Create a corner of wild nature by combining living plants and natural stones

Flowering flower beds at

Original ideas for a small garden with your own hands 9000 9000 9000
Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example Example modern gardening

An unusual way to use a wine barrel in the interior of a garden

The idea of ​​competent design of a garden area and summer cottage

Lighting of the site with the help of garden lamps - an integral part of the design of garden plots

The ideal tool for the garden decor is the presence of a large number of different colors

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You can turn a garden into a real fairy-tale magic with the help of beautiful flower beds, flower beds, mini ponds and other landscape techniques. We offer you to look at some of the most popular and amazing options.

Wattle

Interesting designs can be created using wattle. Of course, it is unlikely to replace modern fences, but it will definitely provide a fabulous atmosphere of Gogol's and Pushkin's times! nine0003

Willow wattle is considered the highest quality. However, raspberry bushes also serve as excellent material for such a fence. By combining different rods, you can create an unusual range of colors and a relief pattern if you twist rods of different thicknesses.

For decor and a special mood, the wattle fence can be decorated with pretty clay pots.

Flowerbeds and flower beds

Flower beds are the first thing gardeners start decorating their garden with. When choosing plants, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of each species. The first step is to highlight the soloist flowers, that is, the main plants in the flower bed. nine0003

It is also good to use unusually shaped leaves and ornamental grasses in the design. With them, the flower garden will look original, even at a time when the flowers have not yet bloomed.

Harmony is important - too many different flowers and plants will look intrusive and create a sense of chaos in the garden. The flower bed should be holistic and concise.

Simply beautifully planted flowers are half the battle. Flower beds with decoration around look much more interesting. This is a bright accent at the end of the composition. nine0003

Water beds

Flower beds are a special pride for gardeners. A selection of flowers of different shades, petal shapes, stem heights, fragrance, leaf density and flowering periods are just a small part of the design that a gardener uses when forming a flower bed.

New ideas for decoration can be realized with your own hands from improvised materials in the form of various structures. But not every gardener has original water beds made by himself. Meanwhile, creating such a masterpiece in the garden or in the country is not at all difficult. nine0003

Procedure for designing a water bed:

If you fill at least half of the entire area of ​​the flower bed with plants, the living decor will delight you throughout the season. Additional decorations in the form of cute fairy-tale characters can be used to decorate foam pads in a flower bed. nine0003

Garden paths

Garden paths created by you will remain your pride for a long time. Improvised materials can serve as river pebbles and bricks.

Laying tracks should start with markings. At the dacha or garden plot, for sure, the favorite paths have already been trodden. They are best used for future markup. Try to lay out the track in such a way that the surface is as even as possible, and the width is the same along the entire length. nine0003

After leveling, the marked path must be covered with crushed stone, the layer thickness of which is about 10 cm. Compact with a vibrating machine. Next, pour a special solution onto the prepared area and level it again. Pre-washed pebbles are pressed into the solution with a dense, pre-designed pattern. At the end, a brick border is laid.

Rutarium

Rutarium is a rather unusual way of decorating a garden plot using original snags and tree roots. It is also often referred to as the root garden. nine0003

If desired, even in a small area, you can create a unique magic. Many of us have met the most bizarre forms of roots. At the sight of special specimens, the imagination immediately draws a vivid plot of a fairy tale. Beautiful compositions made of snags, folded with their own hands, create such a rutarium, at the sight of which it is simply impossible to take your eyes off.

Old furniture for decoration

Do not rush to throw away old furniture - it can serve as a colorful decor item in the country for many years to come. All you need to do is peel off the old paint and repaint. nine0003

Using car tires in garden decoration

One of the most common garden decor materials is car tires. Durable and flexible rubber can be used to create charming flowerpots, figurines of various animals, a sandbox, a children's swing, etc.

Decorations from plastic bottles

Plastic is an inexpensive and easily accessible material. Experienced gardeners with creative imagination know a lot of options for its use. Such qualities as flexibility, strength, durability of plastic allow you to create a variety of sculptures, flower garden decorations, borders and other interesting compositions from plastic bottles. nine0003

Figurines and feeders

Various figurines give a special charm and atmosphere to the garden. To create them, you can use building materials such as gypsum, polymer clay, etc. Design decisions depend on your imagination.

Pretty bird feeders are a great way to attract birds to your yard. They can be made from twigs, a plastic bottle or a tree trunk.

Unusual fence

The best aspect of a garden's uniqueness is its fencing. In addition to the protective function, the fence is an eye-catching visiting card of the owners. A simple iron or wooden version is trite. You can decorate the fence in different ways.

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