As more natural wildlife gardens emerge, perhaps it’s time to consider forgoing lawn mowing altogether and instead growing wildflowers naturally instead. Doing this would also reduce maintenance costs and create an oasis-like feel in the garden.
Herringbone brick, travertine, or pea gravel paths create varied textures and styles to bring any garden alive with life. Try including evergreen plants to turn it into an all-year destination garden!
1.Create a focal point.
Focal points in gardens serve a similar function as the centerpiece in your living room – they attract attention and add visual interest, becoming key components in any garden design project, and can transform even the dullest landscapes into captivating environments. Focal points serve multiple functions in an open space environment: drawing visitors in and directing traffic flow, camouflaging eyesores, or adding structure. Focal points may take the form of anything from an attractive plant to statues, fountains, ponds, pergolas, or other complex structures. At first, focal points should fit the space both in terms of size and scale; for instance, an overbearing statue would appear out of place in a small cottage garden while an appropriate miniature fountain or pond may make more sense for a patio setting.
Garden focal points can add interest and create a sense of place in any yard, whether they’re artificial like trellises and planters with colorful blooms, or natural like trees and bamboo groves. Garden focal points also work great as a way to screen off an area for added privacy or create its own ‘room’.
Focal points can be found anywhere in a garden, but they’re particularly effective near entranceways, pivot points on pathways, or intersections between different areas of the yard. A ceramic container among a cluster of flowering plants provides a lovely resting spot for the eye as it roams from bloom to bloom. Focal points can also serve to define pathways or stairs – like this stunning urn at the top of these steps that invite climbers.
2.Add a water feature.
A trickling fountain is an idyllic addition to any garden, providing soothing sounds of running water that help mask background noises and make smaller spaces seem larger. Fountains come in all sizes large and small, featuring decorative toppers or tiered features for an eye-catching effect. When planning one for your space, be mindful of surrounding planting arrangements; make sure the style matches that of the overall garden design.
A bubbling pot or vase is the easiest form of water feature, providing a decorative container into which a pump and fountain can be discreetly installed for recirculating the fountain. Nearly any size decorative pot will work as long as there’s an opening at the bottom to insert these components.
Other water features that make up water features include walls, ponds, and waterfalls. These structures may be constructed out of natural materials or covered in concrete or stone for an alternative and contemporary aesthetic. They can be used to frame views or draw the eye towards specific points within them while acting as a soothing background for seating areas or even dining spaces.
A pond can make an excellent water feature addition to any garden and can be customized according to its size and desired appearance. You could line its edges with ornamental grasses, lilies, or flowering clematis for color contrast; or fill it with aquatic and marginal plants to achieve a lush tropical effect.
Water features can not only add aesthetic value to your outdoor space, but they are also beneficial to wildlife. Bee hotels, log piles and wildlife ponds can all be added to gardens to support local pollinator populations and attract birds and insects into your garden.
3.Add a little shade.
The addition of shade can greatly enhance your outdoor space. From rustic trellises, as pictured here, to daybeds for some quiet reading or simply adding a rustic trellis for added charm – adding just a small amount can completely alter the feel of a garden design while providing color, texture, and interest into small garden designs.
Planting climbers and wall shrubs is another effective way to add shade to your garden design. These can be quick fixes like training vines over a shed or fence to form an instant trellis, or more intricate arrangements like this combination of buddleia, Fuschia, roses, and clematis that forms this cottage garden-style dining area wall. An architectural touch such as adding a pergola or obelisk adds height and provides architectural interest – and are quick fixes.
If you want to add water features to your garden but lack space, try installing a small pond or water spout. Not only does the soothing sound of moving water add serenity and peace, but it also attracts wildlife such as birds and amphibians.
Are you searching for more creative garden design ideas? Float some plants on a pond to make an eye-catching display, or add an eye-catching raised planter made from old wooden wheelbarrows or filled with seashells or colorful glass bottles. This will let your personal flair show and turn the garden into an extension of your home.
4.Make it work for you.
No matter the size or scope of your backyard or balcony garden, make it work for your lifestyle by adding relaxing outdoor areas featuring comfortable garden furniture (like this super modern rattan set ) and plenty of cushions to enjoy your outdoor room. A log burner provides warmth after sunset to complete this cozy, welcoming feel and create the ideal atmosphere.
Planting trees will add height and structure to your garden while also providing homes for wildlife. But even without mature trees, planting tree stumps with flowering shrubs such as clematis or roses is another great idea that makes the most out of small spaces.
Borders are an essential element of any garden and can serve to define seating areas or draw the eye through space. Plus, planting them with various species adds color year-round and gives your borders visual coherence – such as this reed bed! If your garden features multiple borders, try connecting them visually by planting one feature plant between each border or use them to punctuate areas like this reed bed!
Consider wildlife when planning your garden. Create hedgehog highways, bee hotels, or simply add log piles with wildflowers to attract birds and insects to make sure it works for you!
Never be afraid to utilize bold colors and maximalism in your garden space. Bold hues work particularly well when combined with rustic or industrial themes and are great options for small urban gardens. Just ensure your furniture contains neutral fabric colors and natural materials so as not to overwhelm the space.
5.Create a relaxing space.
Your garden should be an inviting space where you can unwind and unwind, not simply fill it with worn-out chairs and tables from home depot. Take time to consider your desired goals for the space – do you wish to dine alfresco, relax by reading a book in peace, etc – when selecting plants and furniture? This will help guide your selection process.
Refresh your garden with relaxing spaces by employing different textures. Rough-hewn stone walling creates an interesting visual contrast against soft grass and flowering shrubs while brick paths offer excellent traction while being easy to maintain.
Lighting can add the final touches to create a relaxing space. Lanterns make great focal points and can be strung from trees or placed around a dining table or courtyard garden to cast their warm glow on any area that requires lighting. Alternatively, an awning or sail could offer some much-needed shade.
Add wildlife into your garden for added interest and peace. A bird bath, log piles, or flower-friendly flowers such as daffodils can bring bees and insects in to make for a more interesting, peaceful space – or planting flowering crabapple trees could do the same thing. These features tap into the current trend towards “rewilding”, whereby more people opt to leave their lawns unmown and let natural growth take its course in their landscapes.