Of course, garden benches aren’t just functional. The right bench design can elevate your garden’s beauty even further, giving you a newfound appreciation for the care and attention invested into your home’s landscaping.

Keep reading for our favorite garden bench ideas and tips for how to utilize these design ideas in your own backyard.

1. Timeless Antique Garden Bench Ideas

If you have an affinity for vintage decor, there’s nothing stopping you from bringing a touch of the past to your outdoor furniture. While exact styling depends on the era, antique garden benches often feature ornate filigree.

Pair these benches with classical landscaping and decor for the greatest impact. With the right tools, you can easily restore cast or wrought iron to its original finish or add a coat of paint for a contemporary update. Leave wood slats as-is to emphasize your bench’s old age or replace them for a fresh look and greater structural integrity.

2. Stylish Cast Iron

It’s no secret that cast iron is remarkably durable. Cast iron formed by skilled hands can last decades (or even centuries) with hardly any signs of wear. So if you’re looking for a timeless addition to your garden that will last for years to come, a cast iron garden bench is a great option.

Most cast iron benches feature wooden seats–these are easy to replace as needed for comfort, stability, or aesthetics. The cast iron itself can even be painted (we recommend metal spray paint) to match your existing garden furniture and decor.

3. Curved Beauty

Curved garden benches provide lots of seating while taking up minimal space, making them ideal for fitting into tight corners. You can use a set of curved benches as a landscaping divider or build bench seating into your structural garden walls.

You can design a curved bench using practically any material. Go with a simple, backless bench design for a minimalist aesthetic. Use one or more curved garden benches to frame design elements in your backyard, such as a fire pit, pond, or ornamental tree.

4. Creative DIY Options

Garden benches are surprisingly easy to build with some basic tools and skills. Take the opportunity to customize your DIY bench to perfectly fit the space and your specific needs. You can even add built-in cup holders or planters to your bench design.

If woodworking isn’t your forte, create a DIY garden bench with some cinder blocks and a wooden plank. Or repurpose some sturdy garden containers or stone pillars as bench legs. For the finishing touch, fill your DIY outdoor bench with handmade cushions or accent pillows.

5. Sleek and Contemporary Metal

Metal benches come in all styles and are often more durable than wooden ones. There are plenty of clean-cut designs to choose from. But metal has tons of creative potential. In particular, wire workbenches are a delicate addition to any vintage-style garden.

One drawback of a metal bench is discomfort. Metal seating is very unforgiving, and subject to nature’s whim when it comes to surface temperature. Outdoor cushions are a simple solution that will let you enjoy your metal garden bench in comfort (just be sure to tie down or bring your pillows inside during bad weather).

6. Modern Designs for an Outdoor Oasis

Take a page from modern architecture and play around with geometric shapes, sharp angles, and negative space in your garden bench design. You can even take it a step further and plan your bench idea around the shadows that appear when the sun is out.

Wood is a classic seat material that brings some natural warmth to a modern sensibility. Stick with simple supports that won’t disrupt the line of your bench seat. Or integrate the arms and supports into an all-in-one bench design made from a single piece of material and inspired by modern art.

7. Versatile and Functional Multipurpose Solutions

If a freestanding bench feels like wasted space, there’s a good chance you just haven’t found the right design for your garden. Many garden bench ideas serve multiple purposes, from increasing the amount of plantable soil to offering convenient patio storage. You can even build a bench seat into your garden’s retaining wall to maximize usable space.

For avid gardeners, you won’t find a better design than a planter bench. If you need a better workspace for your container garden, consider adding a potting bench to your backyard. We’re also big fans of the romantic arbor bench design, which offers the ideal surface for training vines or climbing shrub cultivars.

8. Enjoy Al Fresco

A traditional picnic table with attached bench seats can be extremely useful in a garden or patio area. For greater versatility, go with a separate picnic bench that can be used with or without the accompanying table. A wooden bench isn’t your only option. Explore how different materials and finishes complement your existing landscape design.

Picnic sets aren’t just for eating. Setting up a picnic bench in your backyard or on your porch offers a relaxing space to work from home or tend to your daily to-do list. Plus, you’ll be all set to entertain friends and family at your next summer grill-out.

9. Embrace Nature’s Charm

Since farmhouse decor is so popular in interior design, it makes sense that many would want to extend this style to their home’s outdoor space. There are countless farmhouse garden bench ideas out there, some more subtle than others.

Many gardeners like the look of wagon wheels attached to both sides of a bench as mock supports. Stick with natural wood or aged wrought iron for an authentic rustic look. Choose a wood stain that emphasizes the grain or go with a weathered finish for a truly rustic appearance.

10. Serene and Earthy Atmosphere

Not all homeowners want an outdoor bench that stands out from the rest of their landscaping. Creating a natural-looking seating area can be as simple as a large rock with a smooth face placed somewhere in your garden.

For a more contemporary style, use smooth river rock or invest in a carved concrete bench. A stone bench is perfect for a zen garden or to bring to life that picturesque storybook aesthetic you’ve always wanted.

Let nature add a personal touch by allowing moss or climbing vines to grow on your stone garden bench. (If mother nature won’t take the hint, you can always supplement with your own Irish moss.)

11. Sway in Relaxation

A swing bench is a great way to transform a small pergola into a lounge area for reading, working outside, or even taking a quick nap. Hang a wood bench from a sturdy, mature tree branch for a romantic hideaway. Wherever you choose to install your swinging garden bench, pile on lots of cushions for maximum comfort.

If you want to turn your pergola into an all-inclusive retreat, pay attention to the details. Install overhead lighting–use fairy string lights for a soft glow or porch lighting for something brighter–to read or converse by. Add built-in cup holders or tabletops to your swinging bench arms for extra convenience.

12. Tree Bench Options

Tree benches are a unique way to take full advantage of your garden’s natural shade. They can be curved or hexagonal and even double as protection for the tree’s base.

Ensure your tree bench idea leaves plenty of room for future growth or is easily adjustable. Before installing one of these benches, it’s also a good idea to double-check the health of your chosen tree.

If you don’t have a suitable tree in your garden, don’t hesitate to use this bench design around a water fountain or other tall design element instead.

13. Add a Touch of Uniqueness

If you want to make your garden furniture stand out, paint is always a quick and easy solution. But that’s only scratching the surface of unique design.

Wrought iron is a perfect example, as it can easily be formed into all different designs and patterns. Animals are a popular motif, especially in antique gardens.

Live-edge lumber and driftwood are two more materials that will give a garden bench some organic charm. And with so many artistic ways to utilize these types of wood, no two benches are ever the same.

14. Wicker, Rattan, and Bamboo Styles

Wicker is extremely popular for constructing patio furniture, and it’s perfect if you want a bohemian or mid-century modern aesthetic in your backyard. Wicker makes a beautiful bench material when left natural, but can also be painted any color.

Keep in mind that synthetic wicker is typically best for outdoor furniture. Natural rattan and bamboo might look gorgeous, but these reeds just aren’t built to survive 24/7 exposure to the elements. Invest in high-quality synthetic wicker for a garden bench that will look great and also last.

15. Artistic Wood Carving

Afraid that adding a bench to your outdoor space will destroy its natural, wild-grown appearance? The good news is that any wood garden bench carved from a single tree trunk will look like it grew that way all on its own.

There are countless styles of carved benches available. Some artists prefer to draw attention to the wood’s natural shape and texture, doing the bare minimum to create a usable seat. Others piece together various wood pieces to create a rough-hewn–yet undeniably man-made–final product.

16. Classic and Timeless

Sometimes, simple is best. A wooden outdoor bench gets the job done while letting the rest of your garden design shine through. Natural wood grain works well in any outdoor space but you can also use paint for a quick facelift.

You won’t need to worry about your garden bench looking like a misplaced park bench as long as you add a personal touch. Pair your garden bench with matching wood planters, end tables, or a full patio set for the whole package.

17. Elegant and Sturdy

Wrought iron can be dramatic, delicate, or overwhelmingly simple. And because it’s one of the most durable materials used in bench construction, it’s not uncommon to see wrought iron benches from centuries past still being used today.

Black is the most classic finish, but a painted wrought iron garden bench can be a great way to bring a pop of color to your garden space.

Many wrought iron bench designs feature a wood plank for the seat or backing–some even incorporate wrought iron craftsmanship into these wooden elements.

Check out these grass-free yard ideas and find an alternative for your yard. Perhaps you live in a dry climate where a desertscape will look right at home. Or maybe you have a pool and can create a lush tropical oasis with bamboo, large-leafed bushes, and blooming perennials. Whatever your surroundings we are sure you will find something you like below. 

1. Synthetic Solutions for Grass-Free Yard Ideas

Lay down artificial grass, and never worry about mowing your lawn again. Artificial turf grass looks beautiful throughout the year and requires very little maintenance. You can have green grass no matter the soil condition or amount of rain you have.

Modern turf lawn mimics the characteristics of real grass. Your fake turfgrass can look like buffalo grass or some other variety of grass lawn that you find appealing. Whatever type you choose, level your yard and contour the property for proper drainage. Then compact a layer of gravel to create a smooth and even base.

2. Embracing the Arid Beauty

Living in a dry climate presents some unique challenges. You want to grow plants, but plants require water to grow and thrive. Well, not all plants. Choose drought-tolerant plants and create a hardy cactus garden. Skip the lawn landscaping and instead up for pea gravel and sand. This highlights the desert feel.

Build a smooth and stable walkway to navigate your yard. The last thing you want is to trip and fall into a cactus. Build an edging that stands up above the walkway and landscaping. This will create a natural barrier and prevent people from accidentally brushing up against your cactus plants.

3. Exploring the Beauty of Decking

Build a deck that covers your backyard. It doesn’t have to be high off the ground. Elevate it just enough to build a solid and level platform. Place potted plants around the deck to create privacy and define the space. Then add your outdoor furniture to complete the look.

Building a deck requires a stable and secure base that’s strong enough to support the deck. Lift the deck off of the ground and then build steps going down to ground level. Add lighting to each step’s rise for increased safety and give your deck a modern look.

4. Desertscape Delights

Climates that are dry and arid make it tough to grow plants. They’re also quite hot, making a concrete patio unbearable. Embrace this climate and work with it by looking for landscaping ideas that embrace these qualities. Pour concrete to make a patio or use wood to build a deck. Then cover it with a pergola or sail shade to make a shady and cooler escape.

Use sand and rocks to create a mini desert in your yard. Use native plants that don’t need a lot of water. Hardy grasses and cacti are perfect for this. Use rocks to create visual interest and texture. Think about how the light will be cast to highlight points of interest and make the space usable at night.

5. Hardscape Harmony

Minimize your lawn care by building more hardscape elements in your landscaping. Hardscape is the hard materials that you build into your landscaping design. This includes stones, bricks, or concrete. Whack up a fence or a gazebo. The more hardscape materials that you use, the less lawn care that you need to perform.

While you could create an entire landscape design out of hardscape materials, this can look barren and dull. Instead, try to use a mix of hard and soft materials together. Add some trees in large pots or a few shrubs.

6. Infusing Japanese Influences

Create the ultimate peaceful oasis by building a Japanese inspired garden in your yard. Start with a small pond where you can have fish. Line the pone edge with rocks. Plant large maple and cherry trees that turn stunning shades of pink, purple, orange, red, and white. Cultivate moss to cover the ground below them.

In one area you can have a rock garden. Clear out the lawn, level the ground, and lay down landscape fabric. Cover the fabric with sand and artfully rake it into a design. Place a large rock or two in the sandy area.

7. Nature’s Canvas

Turn your entire yard into a landscaped garden. Have tall trees, shorter bushes, and bright blooms. Cover the ground around the plants with a rich organic mulch. It’ll insulate the plant roots and protect them. Mulch blocks harmful sun rays, retains moisture, and prevents weeds from growing.

Plan out your garden before you start planting. Define the areas with paver or rock edging. Then arrange your plants in each landscaping bed with the taller plants towards the back and lower ones forward.

8. Effortless Charm

The ultimate in low-maintenance landscaping is to cultivate a rain garden. Look for an area of your yard that’s naturally lower than everywhere else. Water will naturally gather here, making it wetter than the rest of your yard. This makes it the perfect place to grow a low-maintenance garden.

Encourage your garden to grow by sloping your yard towards the rain garden location. This will encourage all water to flow that way. Build an overflow zone that collects water when there’s a big rainstorm. This prevents your garden from flooding.

9. Modern Landscape Concepts

Modern landscaping ideas combine several grass alternatives for a visually stunning display. Use gravel or small stones to cover the ground. Then create a crisp square of artificial turf. Decorate the yard with ornamental shrubs. Use plants sparingly as accents and don’t let them take over the yard. Use wood to create a deck area.

Create multiple levels to create visual interest. Define different areas of the yard as individual usable spaces. Use water and light to highlight areas of the yard and create a focal point.

10. Paved Paradise

Homeowners with a larger budget should consider paving their entire yard. This entirely eliminates the need for maintaining your yard. All you need is the occasion washing of the pavers, concrete, or stones. Occasionally spray weed killer to prevent weeds from popping up and growing on your patio.

For a modern feel, leave some larger spaces between some of the pavers. Then encourage moss or use artificial turf to fill in the gap. It’ll look as though stones are floating in the grass. However, you’ll know that the grass isn’t real, and you’ll never have to mow.

11. Raising the Bar

Turn your backyard into a flourishing garden with raised beds. Create walkways between the boxes to make it easy to navigate the yard. Assess the amount of light that each area of your garden receives. Then arrange your plants according to the height for a thriving raised garden bed.

Have a section of vegetables, fruits, and flowers. Use decorative bins for building your beds. Wood will make beautiful rustic beds. A simple and affordable option is water troughs. Stacked stone or bricks can create durable and strong beds that are customizable to the height that you need.

12. Shrubs as Living Sculptures

Skip the turf grass and use ornamental grass and shrubs. These small plants don’t grow very high, but they spread out well. This makes them perfect ground cover. They come in a range of colors and varieties to add visual interest and variety.

Use mulch or gravel to cover the ground between the shrubs. A manicured yard will have individual shrubs spaced out in neat lines. A more organic look will have several shrubs all gathered together. Place them near your walkways so they slightly hang over the path edge for a country cottage feel to your yard.

13. Embracing the Slopes

A sloped property presents a unique challenge. Your first option is to embrace the slope. Use large rocks to slow down the flow of water and prevent erosion. This creates a natural look. Level out a path and cover it in gravel or smaller stones. For sloped yards that don’t get a lot of sun and are high in moisture, try using moss for a soft yet lush ground cover.

Modern and refined backyards need structure. Use decking to create several platforms that gradually step down. You’ll have several levels that can be of different sizes and are perfect for creating separate usable levels.

14. Small but Mighty

A small backyard is a perfect place to take advantage of more expensive ground cover options. Use a higher quality wood for building a deck. Use a variety of materials together. Wood and stone arranged together in a pattern is a beautiful and modern lawn alternative.

Consider using pavers, which is a traditionally more expensive material to use for creating a patio. If you prefer the look of natural stone, then use slate, sandstone, travertine, shell stone, or quartzite. Choose a bold color that will bring life and vibrancy to your small backyard.

Some of the most beautiful plants are those that climb. Morning glories, climbing roses, and sweet pea flowers all require something to grab onto if they are to flourish. Cucumber plants, pole beans, and tomato plants also need a support structure. Maximize your garden space by adopting one or more of our most fabulous garden trellis ideas.

1. Enhancing Your Backyard With Arbor Garden Trellis Ideas

A garden arbor is a structure added to the landscape to provide privacy, shelter, or delineation between different garden zones. An arbor may be erected over a garden path. Its roof and walls are usually made of flat trellis panels or horizontal slats to support vining plant varieties. An arbor is a good trellis idea to support a climbing vine in a vegetable garden or a flower garden.

For a gorgeous garden entrance, build an arbor at the head of the path and plant climbing roses on either side. Bougainvillea or clematis are colorful options if you prefer something other than roses. Plant a different color or type of climbing flower on each side and the two will eventually merge on top of your arbor into one stunning color explosion.

2. Exploring Creative Ideas

If you want a garden trellis idea that goes beyond the typical wood or metal grids, you have many options to choose from. Paint sticks in bright colors and patterns and tie them together with garden twine for a colorful wall-mounted trellis design. Arrange wood lathe strips in a hexagonal pattern instead of a grid for a honeycomb-like design.

A woodworker can craft a unique trellis structure for your garden, or you can research DIY garden trellis design ideas and build something different yourself. Repurpose thrift-store curtain rods into tomato or flower trellises by mounting them on a fence or wall.

A wooden wagon wheel makes a creative DIY trellis leaned against a wall. For a whimsical garden trellis idea, stand rusty or broken garden tools up in the dirt and let your vine plants climb up them.

3. Embrace DIY

A teepee-style trellis is one of the easiest and oldest forms of DIY garden trellis design. Simply dig three or more sturdy wooden or bamboo poles into the ground. Lean them toward the middle and tie them together with twine or rope. Wind the rope or twine around the structure, as you would a Christmas tree garland, which provides horizontal lines for each climbing plant to latch onto.

Another easy DIY garden trellis design is the tent-style structure. Similar to the teepee, this structure uses sturdy poles to create a tent-like frame from which you attach ropes or steel utility panels for your plants to climb up. These are excellent squash or cucumber trellis structures in a vegetable garden, as shown in the video below.

4. Fence-Inspired Solutions

Make a portion of your fence out of lattice or use lattice trellis panels for your entire garden fence. Climbing roses, honeysuckle, English ivy, and blackberries are all great plants to grow along a trellis fence. Over time you may end up with a living fence, with hardly any lattice material visible between your climbing plants. Just be sure to stop any vines from growing onto your gate, or you’ll have trouble getting in and out.

A simple trellis system can be built along an existing wood privacy fence. Create a short, raised garden bed along the fence bottom to house your climbing plants. The size of the grid openings determines the amount of privacy your trellis fence provides, which may not be much until the plant cover matures.

5. Aesthetic and Functional Options

A beautiful freestanding trellis can shape your entire garden, serving as a main focal point that makes your yard stand out in the neighborhood. It can be made of virtually anything that has an open structure for plants to climb upon. Convert an old crib rail into a freestanding trellis, or tie two antique ladders together at the top for a unique wooden trellis to support your tomato plants or pole beans.

A French tuteur or obelisk trellis is similar to the teepee trellis, but considerably more refined. It has four walls of tapered lattice panels that meet at the top. An obelisk trellis works well in a small garden bed, providing ample vertical gardening space when horizontal space is limited. An obelisk can form the heart of a small kitchen garden while supporting tomatoes or peas.

6. Elevating Your Outdoor Space

A white wooden arched trellis covered in roses is a classic garden design element. Often located at the garden entrance, or in the middle of a winding garden path, there’s something magical about walking under an elegant arch trellis covered in fragrant blooms.

Garden arch trellises can also be made of metal. These structures are usually quite simple in design and can be found at big-box retailers and home improvement stores. While the basic versions are inexpensive, detailed metal arch trellis kits can be found at a higher cost point. Both types are easy to assemble and work well to support ivy and other climbers.

7. Adding Elegance to Your Garden

Standard wooden trellis panels are available at any garden shop or home improvement center. Make fence panels from wood lattice, or fasten a long, narrow section of lattice to a wall or privacy fence. This adds a decorative touch while allowing your climbers something to grab hold of.

Use garden twine to connect bamboo poles together in a grid pattern to make a sturdy lattice trellis. Particularly beautiful in Asian-inspired gardens, a bamboo trellis archway or pergola sounds easy to DIY but may involve a medium-to-high level of DIY skills.

8. Stylish and Sturdy Metal Options

Metal makes a sturdy trellis structure. Steel utility panels are a great type of tomato trellis or pea trellis, used in a vegetable garden where function matters more than appearance. You can purchase simple metal trellis arches to place over a garden path or raised garden bed. Look at thrift stores or antique shops for weathered antique wrought iron trellis pieces to refinish–or simply enjoy their aged patina.

If you have a generous budget, contact a local metal worker, welder, or metal sculptor to help you design a totally unique metal trellis. These artists can create metal panels or metal vine-like structures to support your climbing plants. If you can’t find a skilled metal worker, look online or in second-hand shops to find a used metal trellis. Other welded objects can be turned into great trellises for your growing plants to hold onto.

9. Combining Shade and Greenery

People often confuse garden arbors and pergolas, but they are two different kinds of structures. A pergola usually has open sides and a flat roof. An arbor usually has four posts, while a pergola has more than four. A pergola may look like a small, open-walled house, or favor a covered bridge built over a section of your garden path.

Pergolas are usually big enough to cover a table and chairs or another seating arrangement. Perfect for summer dining or your daughter’s tea parties, a pergola covered in flowering vines is a classically romantic garden feature. A pergola can also provide welcome shade in a vegetable garden when it’s time to harvest your bounty.

10. Maximizing Space

A raised garden bed is the perfect base for a garden trellis. Even a small container garden can benefit from a small trellis structure. Plant something that can trail and climb, such as English ivy, or add a deep purple morning glory to climb up from a pot of red geraniums.

A great way to repurpose a set of old wood or metal backless bar stools is to use them as garden trellises. Just place them in the middle of any raised garden beds that include climbing plants. Vines will ascend the tall legs and you can add pizazz by placing a small sculpture or gazing ball atop each stool’s seat. You can also bend wire clothes hangers into unique shapes and arrange them as lattices in small potted plants.

11. Vertical Gardening Solutions

Trellises are an easy way to embellish a bare section of your home’s external walls. You can purchase pre-made trellis panels made from a variety of materials to mount on your walls. If you are handy, it is easy to make garden wall trellises out of disassembled wood pallets.

If you already have well-established climbing plants, you can hang your wall trellis higher than ground level. As long as your climbers can attach to the lowest rail, they will take hold and soon fill the entire structure. These work great in a greenhouse too.

Fan-shaped garden wall trellises are a classic element and look more interesting than a basic square or rectangular wall grid. Make your garden wall trellis stand out by painting or staining it a color that contrasts the wall’s finish.

12. Versitle Wire and Mesh Ideas

A wire trellis is one of the most primitive garden trellis ideas. One of the easiest DIY garden trellis types to make, all it requires is standing wooden posts in the garden and running wire between them. While it might be a bit unsightly before your climbing plants take over, they can be durable structures used year after year. Many vineyards use the same wire trellis structures for generations.

A wire mesh trellis is another inexpensive type of DIY trellis that is quite doable by even the most novice gardeners. It is among the least-attractive garden trellis ideas–when bare.

When covered with beautiful climbing plant varieties, however, it can be a sight to behold. For a creative take on a wire mesh trellis, fill an antique window frame with chicken wire and hang it over climbing flowers or fruit vines.

If you cannot dig in ground-level dirt, vertical gardening is a beautiful way to experience the joys of gardening. By making use of your available vertical space, you can create a gorgeous garden design that satisfies your need to connect with nature. Scroll through our best vertical gardening ideas and discover all the ways you can turn any small space into your own personal Eden.

1. Exploring Vertical Garden Ideas

A vertical gardening planter can be made from just about any type of container or material. Basic clay pots, DIY wooden planters, a hanging basket, or even spray-painted tin cans can turn into useful vertical gardening containers. Felt panels covered in pockets are a lightweight type of planter that works well for herbs and succulents.

If backyard garden space is limited, design a vegetable planter box garden along your deck or patio. Stack each row of a vertical vegetable garden according to the weight of each plant, with heavy plants at ground level and lighter plants up high.

2. Embracing Greenery

DIY vertical garden ideas aren’t only meant for the great outdoors. A small indoor vertical garden can thrive in a sunny room. A living wall planter for inside the home can be found for around $30, or you can buy a vertical garden stacking system for around $75. Turn an empty corner into a hanging garden area with a hanging planter collection filled with flowering and trailing plants.

An indoor succulent vertical garden is a popular feature in many homes today. Succulent plants are low-maintenance and come in a huge variety of shapes and colors. Some species actually thrive better in an indoor environment, especially if you live in a colder climate. Fill a frame-shaped wall container with blue agave, purple prickly pear, red echeveria, and yellow sedum for a rainbow-like indoor garden.

3. Elevate Your Space

Wall planter vertical garden ideas offer a creative way to transform limited spaces into lush, living displays. By utilizing vertical surfaces such as walls, fences, or balconies, these gardens maximize space and add a touch of nature to urban environments. From cascading succulents to vibrant flowering plants, the possibilities are endless.

A mix of textures, colors, and plant types can create visually appealing designs. Wall planters also provide practical benefits, like improved air quality and insulation. Whether indoors or outdoors, these gardens bring greenery to unexpected places, enhancing aesthetics and promoting a greener lifestyle.

4. Nature’s Canvas

A living wall is a conversation-provoking feature in any home whether located indoors or out. A vertical wall garden can be as large or as small as you desire. Some of the most impressive wall garden structures take up an entire interior wall in the living room or dining area. A vertical wall garden covered in trailing, flowering, and climbing plants makes a stunning feature on your patio or other outdoor space.

An herb garden living wall in your kitchen or outside your kitchen window is a practical way to embrace vertical gardening. Having a vertical herb garden is the best way to ensure that you always have your favorite herbs on hand for health purposes and for cooking. DIY gardening also ensures that your herbs are organic and free of harmful pesticides.

5. Heightened Serenity

A vertical garden or hanging garden is a beautiful, practical addition to any balcony, rooftop, patio, or other urban outdoor space. If your landlord or homeowner’s association permits, plant lovely trailing plants that cascade over your balcony’s railing.

If not, mount a vertical garden planter to one wall and stagger several potted plants in front. Or plant a small patch of grass beneath your vertical garden so you can enjoy the sensation of bare feet on fresh grass even in the concrete jungle.

You can also grow an edible vertical garden on a balcony. In under three hours—or less with pre-cut wood—you can build a DIY vertical herb planter that only takes up nine square feet of balcony floor space. You can also use this structure to grow microgreens and lettuce for your salads.

6. Unconventional Beauty

With enough imagination, virtually any container can become a home for your vertical garden ideas. Planting tiny succulents in the holes on bricks stood on end for a unique colorful garden. You can use a ceramic drill bit to make drainage holes in thrift-store mugs and hang them from a mug rack.

Create a wall garden along a blank wall or fence by hanging a series of small potted plants in creative arrangements. For example, use containers shaped like birds and fill each with vining plants or different herbs.

Paint a simple tree rising from ground level and paint its branches so that each bird appears to be sitting on a branch. Paint a few butterflies flying whimsically between the branches and add a row of colorful potted plants on the ground in front of your living wall mural.

7. Artistic Green Walls

Even if you have a blank wall that’s perfect for vertical gardening, you may not want to cover the entire structure in plants as you would with a living wall. There are many ways to accentuate your garden ideas by decorating the exposed wall surrounding your plants. Paint designs on the wall or hang artwork amidst the plants. Nestle small sculptures or figurines between shelved plants.

Cover portions of the wall with horizontal wood fence slats and hang hooks to carry plant-filled buckets. Simple wood lattice panels serve the same purpose and work well with traditional decor. You can even use simple wood fence panels to create a freestanding wall that separates different gardening plots in your backyard.

8. Aromatic Heights

A vertical herb garden makes a lot of sense, even if you aren’t limited to outdoor growing space. Grow the herbs you like the best as most herb plants are well-suited for vertical gardens. When choosing plants for your herb garden, get smaller plants that have a minimal root system. They fit well into vertical planter containers and require less soil, making them more lightweight.

Be careful to keep mint in separate containers from your other herbs. Mint tends to grow rapidly and will overtake the other plants in your vertical garden. Arrange your herbs in order based on how much water they like. Place herbs that prefer dry conditions—such as rosemary or lavender—above herbs that will benefit from receiving extra water run-off from above, like bee balm or spearmint.

9. Contemporary Oasis

Modern vertical gardening ideas combine minimalist design with the beauty of nature. Simple, understated plants are best in modern vertical gardening, where the focus is usually just as much on the structure as on the plants. Growing plants with unusual shapes or colors is a good idea to add an exciting twist to uncomplicated modern design.

Many homes with modern interior design have a monochromatic color scheme. While your plants can be a way of adding a pop of color, you can look to succulents to create a black-and-white vertical garden. Shop for black-toned aeonium, “Black Knight” echeveria, white wooly Senecio, and white-flowering gray lithops (also called “Living Stones”). Your monochromatic vertical gardening idea is likely to attract compliments from visitors for years to come.

10. Innovative Support Structures

Gardening is a hobby that often includes a lot of creative recycling. Virtually any type of shelf or stand can be repurposed into a plant holder. An old-fashioned baker’s rack with wire metal shelves is ideal for a vertical garden stand, but any type of shelving system will do. Mix and match wood and metal structures to add a whimsical or eclectic flavor to your vertical gardening zone.

A wall covered in floating shelves topped with plants is an attractive vertical gardening display. If you are into vegetable gardening, you will need a sturdier stand than if you are planting lightweight herbs or flowers.

Root vegetables that need deeper soil, such as carrots, will end up being too heavy for some shelves or stands. Keep heavier vegetables on the bottom shelf, or put them in planters set on the ground in front of the shelf or stand.

11. Reclaimed Elegance

A simple wooden pallet can be repurposed into a planter box wall feature or used as-is to house your favorite vertical gardening ideas. One of the more popular garden ideas in farmhouse-style houses is to use pallet wood to build a gardening shelf or a series of wall-mounted bins.

Repurposing wood pallets is one of the easiest and most economical DIY vertical garden ideas. You can simply prop a pallet against a fence or wall and insert small planting containers into the gaps. For just a little more work, pry off every other plank and nail it to the plank above it to make simple shelves.

Paint a pallet-based vertical gardening structure or stain it to coordinate with other furnishings. If you have particularly rustic décor, it may look better to leave the wood unfinished.

12. Effortlessly Green

Vertical garden design doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, you can purchase a pre-made vertical planter structure if you need one of the easiest starts to vertical gardening. Another easy way to begin your vertical garden is to place plants in small galvanized buckets and use metal hooks to hang them from an existing garden wall or fence.

An old ladder can be easily repurposed into a vertical planter holder. Prop the ladder against the wall or fence, and hang baskets filled with small flowering plants or herbs. A wall-mounted trellis structure can serve the same purpose. Look for a sturdy metal or wood trellis that can hold brackets for potted plants. Add a climbing plant or two, as they will appreciate the trellis and help fill in the wall garden area.

Vertical Garden FAQs

Shade gardens, with their subtle charm, provide an artistic canvas for gardeners to craft unique botanical masterpieces. From the soothing respite they offer during scorching summers to their inherent ability to turn even the dimmest corners into lush retreats, shade garden ideas are a testament to the captivating allure of the understory. Whether you have a petite urban balcony or a sprawling woodland landscape, the possibilities for creating a stunning shade garden are as diverse as the plants that thrive in these low-light conditions.

In this article, we embark on an inspiring journey through a myriad of shade garden ideas. From selecting the perfect shade-loving plants to designing harmonious layouts and incorporating eye-catching accents, we’ll unravel the secrets to transform your shaded nooks into enchanting, verdant sanctuaries. So, let’s delve into the world of shade garden ideas and uncover the wonders hidden beneath the leafy canopy.

1. Embracing Shade Garden Ideas in Your Backyard

A shady backyard is a perfect place for relaxing with a cool drink on a hot day. It’s also a great place for growing plants. You just need to choose the right plants that can thrive with the amount of sunlight you have. Sit in your backyard and determine how much sun each area gets throughout the day.

Some areas may get a short time of direct sunlight and then be shaded throughout the rest of the day. Other areas may get light to heavy shade and never see any real sun. Try planting heuchera; they have tons of bright colors and enjoy semi-shaded areas.

If you struggle to grow plants in the shadiest areas, then lay pavers and turn this area into your sitting area. Now you’re working with your backyard instead of against it.

2. The Charm of Cottage-Style Gardens

Turn your backyard into a cottage escape with a stone or gravel path that winds around the trees and bushes. Have a hidden-away spot that’s large enough for a small cafe table and chairs. Choose taller plants for placement around the perimeter that will create a natural barrier. Then arrange shade garden plants underneath the trees and along the walkways.

The result should be a shady garden that isn’t perfectly manicured. Everything should blend together. Choose plants with a wide variety of colored flowers. Scatter them and mix them up to create a beautiful display.

Finish your garden with decorative elements. You could have small figurines or large statues. If you have space, add a water feature, such as a fountain or small pond. The sound of running water will give your cottage garden a natural soundtrack.

3. Front Yard Elegance

If your front yard has large shade trees, then you may struggle to grow anything under them. Even grass has a hard time finding the strength to grow in partial shade. This is incredibly frustrating, considering that your front yard has a direct influence on the curb appeal of your home.

The trick that makes your front yard a success is to choose flowering plants that thrive in the partial shade. Create landscaping areas around the trees’ base to fill in the most shaded areas. Use this to your advantage by creating plant beds that cover the areas where the grass struggles to grow the most.

Spread mulch out over the plant beds to create a moist growing environment. Then arrange plants that like to grow in moist soil with shade. You could have several individual plants of the same variety to create a ground covering.

4. Creating Inviting Garden Paths

To fully enjoy your garden, you need to have a path that allows you to easily navigate the area. For a rustic path, you could have pea gravel as your paving material. Something a little nicer would be large stones set into the earth.

To create an elegant path, you could use pavers. Since you have a shaded yard, use moss as your ground cover. It can line the path and grow between the stones like a natural grout.

On either side of the path, arrange foliage plants that flower to create a colorful lining. If you have trouble with drainage, dig a trench and fill it with large pebbles and stones. This creates a natural drainage system to prevent standing water. Without direct sunlight, you won’t have the same evaporation that sunnier yards have.

5. Tranquil Japanese Influences

If you struggle to grow plants no matter what type of plant you try to grow, then a Japanese Zen garden can eliminate the plant problem. Build a sand gravel layer covering the ground. Rake it into specific designs to symbolize water. Place large rocks strategically around the yard to symbolize mountains.

Another great option is a Japanese moss garden. Moss loves humid and shady climates, making this style of garden perfect for your shady backyard. You don’t need a Japanese maple or variegated foliage. All you need is a moss bed and some stones or decorative statues.

You don’t have to turn your entire backyard into a Japanese garden. You can keep it small and only build it where plants struggle to grow the most. Start by pulling out all of the grass and dead plants and creating a mud slurry. Then transplant your moss. It should begin to take hold and thrive, making a soft blanket covering the earth.

6. Artful Landscaping for Shady Retreats

When planning out your shady garden, the best time to do your planting is in the early to late spring. Most of the plants you’ll work with experience a growing season from spring through summer. Planting during this time gives them the best survival rate.

Arrange your plants by their shade tolerance and what will visually look the best. Create levels for visual height. Look for plants that grow to different heights and place the tallest furthest away. Think about the blooms your shade perennials produce. You could group several begonias together for a multi-colored display. Or choose plants with white flowers for a clean and crisp look.

When arranging your plants, think about the amount of light the plant needs and where it will get that in your yard. If a plant loves afternoon shade, you don’t want to put it in a spot that gets tons of afternoon sunlight. Similarly, a plant that likes the dappled sun won’t be happy in a spot that never sees the sun. 

7. Moss Accents

Perhaps the majority of your backyard gets plenty of sunlight. You just have one spot that seems to suffer from an abundance of shade. Turn that shady spot into a mini moss garden. Moss and succulents love the moist soil and do well in dry shade as they don’t need a lot of rain.

Give your moss garden personality by building up the earth in places, so there are high and low spots. Then place large rocks or stones around. Use moss to cover the ground. If you want to add some height, plant scattered ferns towards the back or place a statue in the center.

8. Relish Outdoor Comfort

Patios are wonderful for giving you an outside living area. However, depending on what side of your home it’s located on, it can experience a high degree of shade. This is because they’re built right off the side of your home. Buildings tend to block the most amount of light, making it difficult to grow plants on your patio.

What you need are pots filled with shade-loving plants to decorate your patio. These shade-tolerant plants won’t mind that they don’t get much face time with the sun. If you want plants that are even lower maintenance, stick with flowering perennials or an ostrich fern. These won’t require you to change them out year after year. They’ll also add plenty of colors and lush greenery to your patio.

Tropical plants can grow happily in large pots. Place these around the perimeter of your patio to create a lush and secluded feeling. You and your guests will enjoy the natural privacy created.

9. Side Yard Transformation

A skinny side yard area tends to get the least amount of light. It’s usually sandwiched between two homes or a fence, which blocks the sunlight from two directions. With the limited amount of mid-day sun, you’re limited on the plants that will grow. Look for plants that want to avoid the full sun, and place them along the side of your home. This will allow them to get plenty of indirect light, but they won’t burn from direct sun exposure.

The easiest way to care for this shady landscape is to keep your plants in pots. Move the pots around your home to find the ideal growing conditions for each plant. Transfer them to larger pots in late spring as they grow. If you want to create a colorful walkway, consider the astilbe. It grows in numerous shades of red, pink, white, and purple.

10. Tropical Flair in Shady Gardens

When you think about tropical plants, you immediately think of tons of sunshine. How could you grow a tropical garden in a shady backyard that lacks the sunlight that tropical plants crave? However, not all tropical plants like the bright sun. Some prefer light shade.

Look for the smaller tropical shade plants that grow underneath the larger sun-loving ones. These plants, like the dicentra spectabilis, prefer dappled shade. They grow closer to the ground and underneath the leaves of the larger palms.

Elephant ears are a classic tropical plant that has huge leaves, and yet it loves the shade. These are perfect if you need a plant that will act as a natural barrier and fill in an area with a large height and width. A giant bird of paradise is another shade-loving tropical plant that also comes with the benefit of colorful orange and purple flowers.

11. Water Features in the Shade

Adding a water feature to your garden gives it a unique look and sound. If you don’t have a lot of room, then stick with a small self-contained fountain. Slightly larger patios and backyards can have a larger water feature that’s a small pond. Build up around it with stones to create a waterscape feature.

Large backyards can support a full pond. This is perfect if you want to have goldfish or koi. Build up around the water with moss and succulents that will enjoy the moisture-rich environment and lack of sun. Construct a small decking area around one portion for a sitting area. For a creative touch, build a bridge over the pond or have a large stone path walkway through the middle of it.

12. Discovering Enchantment in Woodland

If you have several tall trees in your yard, you’re probably contending with deep shade. Embrace the dense shade and pine trees and other large trees and create a woodland atmosphere. Plant smaller ground cover plants to protect the tree roots and create a layered effect.

When choosing your low-to-the-ground plants, stick with the ones that you would find in the woods. A few hosta shrubs or ferns can produce numerous leaves and spread out to be effective ground covers.

The key to creating a beautiful and successful woodland garden is to follow the cues of nature. Look at natural woodlands, and you’ll see high and mid canopies. Then there’s an understory and ground covering.

You already have the high or mid-canopies with your trees. The shrubs you plant will be your shade-loving understory shrubs. For a ground cover, you can use moss.

Shade Garden FAQs

These flower bed ideas will get you inspired to upgrade your landscaping with a flowerbed or two. Isn’t it time you said goodbye to those boring bushes and gave them an upgrade with some flowering plants?

1. Inspiring Flower Bed Designs

Designing a flower bed is about creating the right shape and placing the flowers in the bed in a beautiful arrangement. The first step is choosing the shape of your flower garden. Basic shapes are easy to achieve and require simple planning. You’ll make a square, rectangle, or circle. However, you can create a more creative and free-flowing edge to your garden by making a curved edge that bends and flexes to follow the shape of the land or your home.

The next step is to arrange your flower plants. A traditional and formal approach is to create a pattern by using several of the same plants to make a quilt-like pattern. A more casual approach is to randomly scatter your plants with no plan. One rule applies to both; don’t let the taller and bigger plants overpower the smaller ones by blocking the sunlight or sucking up all of the nutrients.

2. Beautiful Fence Flowers

Do you have a fence that surrounds your yard? Why not line your backyard with a border of flowering plants? Start by deciding how wide and high you want your flower bed to be. You can keep it simple by leaving it level with the rest of your yard. But consider building it up and creating a raised flower bed to create some height for your yard. As for width, two or three feet will be plenty, but if you want a more substantial garden, you can make it wider.

Once you have your base, you’ll want to add your plants. Look for plants that will grow to a size that will stay contained within your planned flower bed size. Some plants stay small, while others can grow to be several feet in width and height. Plant the smaller plants in front and taller plants behind them along the fence.

3. Creative Front Yard Ideas

Adding a garden bed to your front yard will increase the curb appeal of your property. If you’re alright with regular maintenance, then choose annual flowers. However, for a low-maintenance garden, stick with perennials. They’ll continue to grow and blossom year after year.

It’s smart to stick with plants that are native to the area you live in. Since it’s your front yard, you’ll want it to always look beautiful. Native and local plants are going to grow better and look nicer throughout the year. Try adding a mix of plants so that some are blooming during the spring and summer, and then when they go dormant, your winter blooms are coming in.

4. Landscaping Transformations

If you have a large property, you’ll want to create a landscaping concept that spreads throughout the entire estate. Caring for large flower beds can get time-consuming. Consider mixing smaller accent flower beds with more natural foliage.

You can have a container or raised bed that features your flowers. Then around it, you’ll grow ornamental grass and other native plants. This highlights the flowers and helps them stand out by surrounding them with more neutral plant life. In tropical areas, this can mean planting several palms and lush greenery. In more arid places, you can use hardy grasses and cacti.

5. Creating Long and Lovely Flower Beds

Do you have a long and narrow backyard? Or is the only available space for a flower garden along the side of your house? Then you need to create a narrow and long garden. The key to making a beautiful long garden is to choose plants that fit the space and embrace the idea of levels.

Choose small plants that create blooms low to the ground. They should easily stay contained in the narrow space you have available. Then choose a few taller plants or decorative elements. Make sure they are one to three feet tall but not very wide. If your narrow space is along a wall, you can have even taller plants that vine upward on lattice or trellis structure.

6. Elevated Beauty

If your property is sloped, then you have the perfect property for creating raised flower beds. Build your garden bed wall so that it starts low and slowly gains in height as the ground level drops. The end result is that the land changes height, but your flower bed is all one height.

Raised beds also work well when you want a planting bed but can’t plant in the ground. You can have a planter box on legs. This raises the flower box several feet off of the ground. Place the planter box anywhere you want. You can build your raised planter box out of wood. Or you could buy one that’s made of metal, plastic, or composite.

7. Curves and Circles

Creating a round flower bed is a smart idea with its natural shape and elegant curved lines. You can place a round garden somewhere in the middle of your yard. But an easier approach is to look for a natural element that you can build your round flower garden around. Perhaps you have a tree or large plant that’s already growing in your yard. Build a wall out of wood or stones that creates a ring around your central element.

Now create your flowerbed around it so that you create a ring of beautiful flowers. If you don’t have a natural centerpiece, you can make one. Place a bird bath or large sculpture in the middle. Your round flower bed doesn’t have to be raised; it can look beautiful when level with the surrounding yard.

8. Space-Saving Tips

You don’t have to have a huge garden for your flower bed. If you live in an apartment, you won’t have the yard space, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some flowering plants. You can create a small yet still beautiful flower bed with a balcony railing planter. It hooks on your balcony, and you can grow several plants in it. You can have more than one, with each having a different theme; one with colorful flowers and another with herbs for cooking.

If you don’t have a balcony, or maybe you can’t see your garden from your windows, try a small indoor garden. Place a large planter in your home near a window and have two or three flowering plants in it. Choose plants that need a similar amount of light, water, and soil conditions.

9. UUnconventional and Charming Concepts

Not all flower gardens look the same. Perhaps you have a large tree stump that you don’t know what to do with. Turn it into your stand for your potted flower garden. Place pots of different sizes around and on the stump. You can even have a separate taller stand that you place next to the stump for more height.

Speaking of height, you can grow a vine plant that flowers on a trellis for a vertical flower bed. Or you can mount a hanging planter on your wall and have an extensive flower garden that travels up your wall.

Another unique idea is to create a formal garden. These typically require a significant amount of space and harken back to a time when people lived on large properties with big gardens. They have perfectly trimmed hedges, brick pathways, intricate flowering plant patterns, and fountains.

10. Natural Elegance

If you can’t find the type of planter or container that you want to use for your flower bed, why not build your own out of wood? This strategy works great because you can create a custom design and build your flower bed from the ground up. This lets you choose the exact length, width, and height. You can even build multiple levels for visual interest.

When building your wood flower bed box, you’ll want to use the right type of wood. Some treated woods have tons of chemicals in them. This can negatively affect your flower growth. However, untreated wood can be susceptible to moisture. They won’t last because they will begin to swell, shrink, and warp. The best type of wood to use is redwood or black locust. Cedar is another rot-resistant wood that can easily last ten to 15 years.

11. Stylish Planter Box Ideas

If you want to create a modern-looking flower box, try using pavers, bricks, or concrete. You can build your own planter to the custom size that will fit your yard. Consider the size and shape of your flower bed when choosing your brick or concrete block. They need to fit the scale of the bed and work with the shape you want to create.

One approach is to create a long and low wall around your entire flower bed. Another option is to build multiple levels for different flowers in each area. This lets you grow various flower plants with different sunlight, soil, and watering needs in the same area. Adding height to your flowerbed will also upgrade your yard and add visual interest.

12. Versatile Container Gardens

When looking at flower garden ideas, you’ll quickly realize that you can use almost anything for your container garden. The most common is to use an aluminum water bucket or trough. They are simple, affordable, corrosion-resistant, and easy to work with. Another commonly chosen item is a vintage tub. They’re durable and give you plenty of space for several plants.

You can use almost anything as a container for your garden. It just needs to be durable enough to be left outside and have somewhere that you can plant your flowers. People have used everything including old tires, a log, a vintage chair, a ladder, a pallet, wine bottles, a wagon, a grill, a smoker, a toolbox, and even a chandelier.

The material you choose needs to be sturdy enough to last. It has to hold back your grass on one side and keep your mulch and dirt contained on the other. Pick something that is nice to look at and enhances the style of your garden and yard with decorative yet also functional garden edging. Check out these garden edging ideas to get inspired and create something impressive in your yard.

1. Garden Edging Ideas Featuring Stylish Pavers

If you already have paving stones in your yard, then why not create a cohesive look by using them for your edging? Extend the pavers out toward your garden. When you want to create the edge, turn the paver up on end to create a solid visual edge that also blends in.

Another option is to choose a contrasting paver. It can be a different size or color from the ones you’re using for your driveway or walkway. Use this different paver to create a line around the outside. This creates your edging while also tying everything together.

2. Embrace the Natural Charm of Wood

Wood can give your garden border a rustic look. Choose reclaimed wood or salvaged railroad ties. This aged wood is solid and perfect for creating a border around your garden. If this is too farmhouse or rustic for your home, you can choose a wood that is more finished.

Planks of wood turned on their side create a miniature wall around your garden. You can sink them into the ground but remember to treat the wood, otherwise, it’ll rot. A better option is to hold the planks of wood in place with metal stakes or brackets.

Having planks on their side can create a deep bed for your garden; you can add soil and create a richer soil composition for your plants.

The third option for your wood is to create a small edge out of wood stakes that are positioned next to each other on end. You can place them individually or buy a kit that comes with the wood preassembled.

3. Aesthetic Appeal

You could hire a contractor to come out and create custom concrete edging for your landscaping. However, this is expensive and may not be worth the investment required. Instead, buy pre-made concrete edging pieces and do it yourself. These pieces come in a wide range of patterns, designs, and sizes.

If you decide to go this route, it’s best that you determine the general size of your garden but not its exact shape. Since these pieces come in limited shapes, you’ll need to lay them out and finish creating your garden by following the line of the edging you’ve laid out. Then you can sink the edging into the ground and finish your garden.

4. Unleash Your Imagination

All of the other edging options on this list are your standard home and commercial construction solutions. But that doesn’t mean they are your only option.

If you’re a creative type, then don’t be afraid to try something unique for your landscape edging. You can line glass bottles up that are shades of bright green and rich blue or use terracotta pots. Then plant flowers in the pots while also using them as edging.

If you have an issue with drainage, consider an edging idea that’s also functional. Trench edging creates a mini mote around your lawn edge. Then excess water from your yard and your garden can drain into the trench and be carried away.

If you want to reduce the maintenance required for your trench, you can buy edging material with the trench built-in. You’ll dig the trench, place the edging, and occasionally clear off the grate on top.

5. Contemporary Flair

You can create a modern look with your edging by using multiple materials. Combining multiple edging elements together creates a custom look that’s multi-layered. You can have a metal edge with a line of river rocks and then bordered by a line of cut stones. The total border is wide, but each individual element isn’t.

Another modern edging solution is to use an unexpected material. Use an expensive stone like marble or granite. This stone is durable and will elevate the look of your garden. Just know that this option isn’t one you should DIY. It’ll also be significantly more expensive than other options on this list.

If your property is large and you have the space available, create a stunning water feature as your border. You’ll want to line the border with a material that’s impervious, such as concrete or stone. Then fill the edging void with water and add a way for the water to circulate. Finish the look by placing river rocks at the bottom of the water feature to create a river effect.

6. Stamped Concrete Styles

One of the fastest and easiest garden bed edging solutions is stamped concrete. It comes in pre-made sections that you buy and place. It comes in various finishes, so you can have the look of natural stone, wood, or brick. Pick any color you can imagine and if you can’t find the color you want, simply paint it.

This poured concrete is made in molds or poured in place and then stamped to give it texture and a pattern. Concrete is a smart choice for your landscaping because it’s low maintenance, durable, and won’t corrode.

7. Raised Garden Options

Raised flowerbeds should have edging or walls around them that will give them an elegant look. This can be treated wood for a rustic, farmhouse, or natural look. If you prefer something a bit more modern, then try using stacked stone. A gabion wall is also a beautiful solution.

You can make your own gabion walls by building wood frames that you then wrap chicken wire around to create a three-dimensional open space. Fill this space with rocks but be sure to choose a wire that has holes small enough to stop the rocks from falling through the wire. You can leave the top open, but for a polished look, top the rocks with a bit of wire mesh.

8. Elegant Metal Accents

If you want to give your garden bed a sleek and modern look, then consider using metal to build your edge. There are long, flat sheets that can create a thin yet effective wall. The nice thing about metal is that you can easily bend it to create smooth curves.

You can also buy long rigid pieces to create perfectly sharp corners for a more angular garden edge. Be sure to choose a metal that’s durable enough to last in the weather elements. Otherwise, that bright shiny silver will be red and rusted in no time.

If you want to use mulch, river rock, or pebbles as your border, then consider placing a metal edge first. The metal will be strong enough to hold the rocks in place while also being low profile enough to not change the visual effect of the rocks.

9. Functional Beauty

A retaining wall is required when you want to build in a place where you’ll cut into the earth. Maybe you live in an area where the ground has mountains or hills. Or perhaps you want to build up your property. The retaining wall supports the weight of the earth behind it.

A simple retaining wall is constructed from poured concrete. To give it additional strength, you can reinforce it with rebar. Other options for building your wall are stone, wood, and metal sheets.

The material you choose will depend on the size of your retaining wall and the look you’re going for. Stacked stone can be perfect for a small retaining wall in your raised garden bed. However, it may not be strong enough to hold the entire garden up.

10. Natural Elegance

If you want to create a visual border that’s flat on the ground, then try using rocks or pebbles. This creates a decorative landscape border. To make this look work for your garden, stick with smaller rocks, like pea gravel, river rock, and pebbles.

When laying your rocks, you don’t need to dig super deep. You just need to dig deep enough to lay a few inches of gravel. Lay a matting down before you add your stones. This will prevent weeds from growing up between the stones and creating a high-maintenance border.

It’s also smart to add a border to your gravel edging to hold all of the stones in place. Finish the edge by pouring and smoothing the stones out.

11. Practical and Versatile

If you’re looking for an affordable solution, then plastic edging is your ideal choice. It’s commonly chosen for lawn edging, but you can also use it around your garden. It comes in black and will be in a big roll. You just need to measure the distance around your garden and buy a roll or several rolls long enough.

Plastic will give your garden a clean and low-profile garden design. It’s also easy to work with and something you can install yourself in a day. The downside of plastic is that it isn’t as durable as other options. It also tends to come out of the ground if you don’t install it correctly. Lawn equipment blades on lawnmowers and equipment can tear the plastic up.

12. Timeless Charm

Stacked bricks will give your home a classic colonial look. They’re also perfect for creating an upscale look to your home’s exterior. If you plan on using bricks for your patio or walkway, then continue using these bricks as the edging around your landscaping.

If you want to create a raised bed, then stack the bricks on top of each other to create your desired height. Now you have a mini brick wall.

For a more streamlined look, embed one row of bricks into the ground. This keeps the bricks flush with the walkway but creates a visual accent or frame around the walkway. If your sidewalk is concrete, line either side with bricks for an affordable way to elevate it.

13. Building Block Solutions

If you like the look of stones but want something a little more uniform for your landscape design, then blocks of stone are a perfect choice. These aren’t your standard cinder blocks. These are cut blocks that look like stones but have a standardized size and shape. This makes working with them much easier than trying to arrange randomly sized and shaped natural stones.

Stone edging comes in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and shapes. You’ll want to scale the stones to the size of your flower bed or vegetable garden. This will create the most curb appeal. Smaller or shorter blocks are required if you want to create more curves or try more creative landscape-edging ideas.

Whatever approach you have to your vegetable gardening, there are a few common things each method has in common. You’ll want the best placement for sunlight, rich soil, and a well-organized vegetable garden plan. Check out these vegetable garden ideas to get inspired and plant your own nutritious and delicious vegetables.

1. Exploring Backyard Vegetable Garden Ideas

Most of us have the most amount of open land space in the backyard. This makes it the perfect place for spreading out and creating a small vegetable garden. If you have a door leading outside that’s near your kitchen, see if you can place your garden here; this gives you a convenient kitchen garden.

To ensure your garden is a success, you’ll want to pick a spot that gets the right amount of light. For some vegetables, this means full sun. For others, it means indirect light or very little light. You’ll then want to prepare the soil so that it’s rich in nutrients. You may need to compost if you find that your soil is lacking in the necessary elements.

The final step is understanding what climate zone you’re located in and what plants thrive there. You aren’t limited to these plants, but they’re an easy place to start if you’re new to gardening. Ensure you plant your vegetables at the right time of the year to give you a healthy harvest.

2. Creative Container Inspirations

What if you want to grow vegetables but don’t have any land to grow them in? Container gardening is the perfect solution. This is also ideal if you’ll need to move your plants throughout the year. You could start out small with a single tomato plant in its own pot. Then you can expand as you become more confident in your growing abilities.

Think about how you want your garden to look. There are terracotta and decorative pots that you can use if your garden will be someplace visible. If you’re more concerned about function, plain black plastic tubs will work just fine.

Consider buying larger containers that can hold more than one plant. You could have a long trough that holds two or three rows of carrots. Or you could have a large round pot that grows a tomato plant and basil together. The basil is a short plant, while the tomatoes will vine upward. This type of companion planting also helps your plants to grow stronger, be more fertile, and avoid pest infestation.

3. Boundless Beauty

Once your vegetable plants start growing, you’ll suddenly realize just how much wildlife there is around you. Critters that once left your property alone will suddenly think you’ve laid out the welcome mat.

To keep out the small pests such as insects, cover your vegetables with a mesh screen. It’s a soft fabric-like material that you can construct to cover your plants. It helps to build a frame out of wood or chicken wire to give the mesh structure.

Another threat to your fresh vegetables is other people. Your garden will look like the perfect place to grab a snack or do some free “shopping”. You can prevent this by putting up a barrier between them and your tempting garden. A chain-link fence will do the job but isn’t pretty. An attractive wood fence will do the job and add to your backyard’s appeal.

4. Harvest All Year

Becoming a gardener is hard enough without having to contend with the unpredictable weather. A greenhouse is a great way to have better control over the growing environment for your vegetables. This means you’ll get higher quality vegetables and more of them. Plus, you’ll enjoy a longer growing season.

One smart garden plan is to start your seedlings in your greenhouse. This lets you start your vegetable crop sooner. Then you can transfer them to the ground once it gets warm enough. If you don’t have the land space for them to grow outside, you can keep them in the greenhouse the entire time. Just be sure you know which plants will need hand pollination since bees and other pollinators can’t get into your greenhouse.

5. Modern Cultivation Options

If you have a large space where you can build the system required, then you could have a hydroponic system. These systems require quite a bit of space but are well worth it. You’ll either use long tubes or a table set up to grow the plants in water. This eliminates the issue of crop rotation since it’s the water that’s rotating, not the crops. One drawback of this setup is that it is the most expensive to install and implement.

If you want to give hydroponics a try, consider growing lettuce, tomatoes, radish, kale, spinach, and cucumbers. These plants will all thrive in this wet environment. Skip the root vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots, rutabaga, garlic, and onion. These plants need the soil to grow properly.

Consider the extra needs of your plants. Melons grow great in hydroponics, but they’re also heavy, so you’ll need to reinforce your setup. Tomatoes and other vine plants will need a trellis to support their growth.

6. Mastering Layouts

When considering vegetable garden design ideas, you’ll want to find one that you can adapt to your space and vegetables. Consider growing a flower garden that also has vegetables. Now you’ll have a beautiful, edible garden. Try to choose the sunniest spots for your vegetables as most will need five to six hours of direct sunlight per day.

Don’t forget to create space around the plant beds for you to walk. They don’t need to be huge but should be large enough for you to navigate the area safely. Then you’ll arrange your vegetables. Don’t crowd them; each vegetable variety needs a specific amount of space to grow happily. Also, consider their height. You don’t want to plant something that will get very tall and create too much shade for the plant next to it.

7. Pots of Potential

Not all of your vegetables need to be planted in the ground. If you have a patio or deck area, you could grow plants here in hanging planters or pots. This unique vegetable garden design creates decor while also creating produce. Pepper plants work perfectly for this because they produce multiple colorful peppers that look great and you can use in cooking.

For a traditional look to your plants, you could use clay or terracotta pots. But don’t be afraid to get creative. You could recycle tires that you lay on the ground and fill with dirt. Or you could fill an old bathtub with dirt. If you’re handy, you could construct a large frame you hang several rows of plants at multiple heights.

8. Rise Above With Raised Beds

The easiest and fastest way to create fertile soil for your vegetable gardening is to build raised beds. Then you can build up with the soil instead of contending with digging into your less than hospitable ground. This also works well to create built-in walkways around each raised box. To get the most out of your raised boxes, look for ways you can implement succession planting.

By planting in intervals, you’ll be able to yield more and enjoy more of your crop before it goes back. To do this, you’ll want to start early with crops that are hardy enough for planting at the end of winter. Then when they’re ready, you’ll harvest them and plant something that grows better from mid to late season. You can also stagger when you plant the individual types of plants.

9. Aloft Agriculture

The great thing about having a vegetable garden is that you can scale it to as big or small as you have space for. Whether you have a small garden or a large vegetable garden layout, plan to have all of your plants in pots or containers.

If you don’t have a lot of square footage to work with, try going vertical. You could hang a planter on your railing. Or you could have a stand with several trays at different levels. Just be sure your balcony points in the right direction to get enough sun and rain. Rooftop gardens are able to get much more direct sunlight. You’ll want to provide shade for some of your more sensitive plants. Otherwise, you risk their leaves burning.

10. Side Yard Bounty

If you find that your backyard faces the wrong direction or maybe it’s too shady, then try the space along the side of your house. You can create a long garden bed in your side yard. This style of garden layout is nice because the shape makes it easy to care for.

If your property has a fence around it, then you can add to your space by hanging planters on the fence. These are perfect for plants that need more sunlight and may not get it if planted in the ground.

11. Small-Scale Success

You don’t have to let your vegetable garden take over your entire backyard. You could have a small patch where you grow some of your favorites. You could have a tomato plant and some salad greens, like lettuce and Swiss chard.

You’ll need a large enough square foot garden to give the plants enough room to grow. Remember that lettuces start out small but will grow in size as their leaves multiply and grow. Other vegetables that are good to grow in a small space are herbs, cucumbers, pole beans, radishes, and shallots. What’s nice about tomatoes, shallots, and cucumbers is that you’ll get a high yield of produce for the small space.

12. Vertical Ventures

Some vegetables grow as a vine, and you’ll need to construct a trellis for them to grow on. These plants are perfect for when you want to create a vertical vegetable garden. The simplest setup for your veggie garden is to have a small trellis that’s a few feet tall constructed in the plant bed. Another option is to plant your garden along the side of your house and lean the trellis up against it. You’ll want to be careful with this; you don’t want to give insects and bugs a highway into your home.

If you have the space, you can get creative with your trellis. Turn it into an archway that you could walk through. Or you could have it be a pergola-style covering over your patio or deck area. Now you have fresh vegetables and a shady place to hang out.

Vegetable Garden FAQs

Decorating your backyard is about giving your backyard character and individuality. Some garden decor ideas are cutesy, some artistic, and others sleek and modern. What you choose for your garden will depend on your personality and what you want your garden to say about you and your home.

1. Purposeful Garden Decor Ideas

Your garden decoration doesn’t have to be just pretty. It can also serve a functional purpose. If you have a fire pit in your backyard, why not turn your log storage into something decorative? Choose a metal rack that allows you to store multiple log sizes. That way, you always have wood on hand for an impromptu campfire.

One common outdoor decor idea is to have a birdbath. It can be more than just a shallow bowl that holds water. It can be on a decorative pedestal or have cute bird figurines on the side. If you’re growing herbs, you can even have decorative signs labeling each plant. These are more than just simple signs though, as they can be handmade or pottery signs with a unique character.

2. Stylish Planters and Pots

You don’t have to stick all of your plants in the ground. You can create visual interest in your garden by placing some of the plants in decorative pots. Using terracotta pots will give your garden a traditional look. The rich color of the terracotta is beautiful, rustic, and warm.

If you don’t have a lot of room, you can create a small garden using mason jars for your pots. Or you can have a ceramic or clay bowl with several succulents growing in it.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your plant stands. You can use cut-in-half wine, bourbon, or whiskey barrels. Or how about an old claw foot bathtub that you’ve filled with soil? You can even find metal stands that look like everyday objects with holders for your pots built in. Whatever planter or pot you choose, look for ones that help you add height to your garden to create different levels.

3. Fence and Wall Solutions

If you have a fence surrounding your garden, then this is the perfect chance to add a bit more decor. You can have decorative wrought iron panels mounted on the wood or alternate metal and wood panels for an elegant and modern-looking garden fence.

Consider DIY garden decor ideas for a personalized touch. Try painting a colorful mural on the wall or install decorative lighting to create a unique effect when the sun sets. There’s also the option of turning your fence into a living wall. You can grow mosses and succulents on a panel. Just be careful with this idea–succulents can be surprisingly heavy, and you’ll need to reinforce the wall to support the extra weight.

4. Create an Inviting Atmosphere

Adding a fire pit to your garden gives you a focal point and the perfect gathering spot. Choose a modern design that creates ambiance. You won’t feel a lot of heat from them, but they’ll produce an interesting visual effect.

Another option is to use your fire pit to create an outdoor living space. Buy a portable pre-made metal pit or custom-build your fire pit from stone or pavers. You’ll be able to build the exact size fire pit to fit in your garden. Place benches or outdoor sofas around it for a place to lounge outside and enjoy the weather.

5. Enchanting Garden Structures

If you have a covered outdoor space, you have the perfect frame for growing vining plants. If you don’t have a covered area, then consider building some form of shelter. You can have a gazebo, pergola, or arch. The one you choose will depend on the amount of coverage you’re looking for and the square footage you have available.

Once you have your structure, check out garden design ideas to pick a flowering plant or two that will vine its way up. Colorful flowers and blooms will surround you. If you live in the right climate, you can even grow grapes or lemons. However, keep in mind that both of these have heavier vines that require a more solid structure for support.

6. Adding Artistic Touches

Look for ways you can create a unique appearance for your garden. There are local artists everywhere that use a variety of materials to create custom garden art. You can add to your garden design by placing a few art pieces that look like animals. Many garden ideas suggest placing this art hidden among your plants. They’ll be a beautiful surprise as you wander through your garden.

If you have an empty garden area, then consider placing one enormous art piece. It will serve as a crowning statement piece and focal point in your backyard. Look for art that will be durable when left outside long term. Metal, glass, cork, and hardwood are all beautiful and durable materials.

7. Elevate Your Outdoor Space

Furniture is a common element of outdoor garden decor ideas. You need a place where you can sit down and relax in your backyard. Even if you only have a small balcony, you should have somewhere where you can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or an evening drink.

If you have enough space, you can create an outdoor living room setup. Place a loveseat or sofa with an accent chair or two. You don’t need a lot of space, though. A small cafe table and a pair of chairs are all you need.

8. Incorporating Garden Statues

Statues are an easy way to add decorative elements to your garden. They’re durable and beautiful. Look for sculptures that complement the style of garden you want to create. A garden gnome is a popular choice, but some people find them creepy. Modern gardens look good with abstract ornaments.

Garden statues come in several materials. Try adding several types to your garden for visual interest and variety. You can have glass figurines, metal sculptures, or stone creations of all kinds.

If you have lots of flowers and other plants that need pollinating, consider adding a birdbath and bird feeder. This will encourage birds to make your backyard their home and foster stronger growth.

9. Illuminating Your Garden

Adding lighting to your garden gives you the ability to enjoy the beauty of the space after the sun goes down. You can do this with string lights that you hang across the entire garden. They’ll create a warm, soft glow over the entire space and illuminate your outdoor area.

For a more decorative approach, try adding fairy lights to your garden. These are small LEDs that will twinkle and glow. They typically aren’t bright enough to create bright light but are more of a decorative element to highlight specific areas of your garden. If you have a pergola or gazebo, you can string the lights on it for a fairy garden effect. Choose ones that twinkle for a starry night look.

10. Embrace Contemporary Charm

Potted plants are a great way to create a modern garden design. Try using large pavers or flat stones to create a smooth and trim lawn. Then create a green space by arranging large pots with several plants in each. Choose pots in modern colors, like black or white. They should have long straight lines and smooth curves with minimal ornamentation.

Modern gardens use a combination of materials. You can have large stepping stones through your pond or a wood deck overlooking your water feature. Create borders and trim with a moat of river rocks. Skip the messy-looking flowering plants and stick with simple greenery that you can keep trim and neat.

11. Guiding the Way

You need to have pathways throughout your garden. This makes it easier to enjoy your work and maintain your plants. A modern garden will use pavers, concrete, or wood. For a rustic garden look, you can use pea gravel for a natural-looking path. If you want to create a vintage garden, use salvaged bricks or flat stones.

If you have a large yard, your flower bed may not take up the entire backyard. Then your pathway will connect your flower bed to the other areas of the yard. Perhaps it leads from the patio to the garden and then around to the fire pit.

12. Tranquility and Beauty

Water features can be a lot of work, depending on the type and size you decide to add. Even a small fountain will add natural noise and calming sound effects to your garden. The only other way you can add sound to your garden is with a wind chime, and they can be more annoying than the gentle sound of running water.

If you’re ready to commit to a serious water feature, consider adding a fish pond with a fountain. You’ll need to care for the fish and maintain the fountain hardware. However, it’s well worth it for the calming effect it’ll have on you and the entire space. For fish, consider koi, but be warned; they are expensive. Goldfish are a much more affordable alternative.

Old pallet wood is an excellent material to repurpose into a planter box, vertical planter, raised garden bed, or even a pallet swing. Not only are pallets a good source of upcycled wood, but this material is inexpensive—often entirely free. Scroll through the following pallet gardening ideas and find out how to start your own impressive pallet garden today.

1. Herb Pallet Garden Ideas

Recycled pallet wood might contain a chemical treatment, so before you use it to grow herbs, make sure it is the right kind. Manufacturers treat pallet boards to avoid invasive species, either by heat treatment or fumigation. Heat-treated pallets will bear the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) logo along with an “HT.” Fumigated pallet wood will have an “MB,” which stands for methyl bromide, the chemical used for fumigation.

Always wash any pallet with hot, soapy water before using it for edible plants. Seal it with linseed oil or paint it with a water-based latex paint. Most herbs do well in pallet gardens, including mint, basil, thyme, and oregano. Lavender also grows well in a pallet herb garden and you can use it as an herb or a fragrant cut flower.

2. Freestanding Pallet Planter Gardens

You can build a freestanding pallet garden bed by nailing a pallet to the front of an A-frame structure. This movable garden is ideal if you need to shuffle your flower or herb garden to a sunnier spot in the yard. Add caster wheels to the bottom of the freestanding pallet garden bed for easy movement.

Anyone can construct a DIY pallet planter with multiple shelves from wood upcycled from two pallets. Use chalkboard paint to make erasable tags in front of each section of a freestanding vertical garden. This is particularly helpful with an herb garden, where what you plant in each section of the pallet may frequently change.

3. Innovative Pallet Garden Designs

Pallet garden ideas can be extremely creative for something that is basically just a garden in a wooden box. A vertical pallet garden hangs on a wall, making it one of the best ways to garden in a small space. Paint your pallet planter any number of colors, or add wooden cutouts, stencil designs, metal flowers, or other decorative embellishments.

You can break a pallet into several small wooden pallet planter units to hang along a wall or fence. Like small flower boxes, you can fill them with succulents, flowering plants, or decorative herbs. You can use the pallet as a frame of sorts and hang metal buckets that contain your actual plants.

4. Pallet Flower Boxes for Your Garden

Flower box pallet garden ideas are nearly limitless. You can use an entire pallet to make a vertical garden full of your favorite flowers. You can also split a pallet into several smaller vertical pallet units that serve as individual flower boxes. You might also use a pallet as a flower pot shelf. This idea works particularly well if you prefer housing your flowering plants in pots instead of planting them directly into the pallet.

Flowers can enhance nearly any pallet garden idea. A vertical pallet garden can serve as a backdrop for larger plants in ceramic pots or planters set directly on the ground. Instead of hanging a basic rectangular flower box under your windows, nail an entire vertical pallet to the wall. It will become a stacked flower box, giving you three or more rows of flowers beneath your window sills instead of just one.

5. Raised Beds and Plant Boxes

Pallet wood is ideal for building a simple garden bed in your yard. Large or small, this is one of the best pallet garden ideas if you want to use reclaimed wood but desire a more refined finished product. Stain or paint the wood to match other wood elements in your home or in your garden.

Raised garden beds made from pallets help make gardening easier for those with arthritis or who otherwise struggle getting up and down from ground level. If dampness is an issue in your yard, build raised pallet garden beds with legs. Note that these wood containers will need lining—landscape fabric works best—and filling with potting soil before use.

6. Sustainable Garden Pallet Creations

There are many ways to upcycle pallets for use in the garden. In fact, because they’re so economical, you may find that they help you creatively use areas of your yard where nothing existed before. Use the wood to make a compost bin or a stacked, multi-level planter box. Pallet garden ideas may include breaking down an additional pallet and using the wood to make a potting bench.

Attach a vertical trellis to a flat pallet garden, and you can grow beans and other plants that require a trellis for climbing. Make two matching pallet planter boxes and stand a metal trellis between the two. Place it somewhere in your garden where you wish to define two separate areas. As vines grow up the trellis, it creates a living screen that is beautiful and functional.

Upcycling pallets in the garden isn’t limited to creating shelves, planters, and fences. Cut pallet slats into random lengths and lay them onto gravel to make an attractive wooden garden path. Use pallet wood to build a bench beneath a window that will coordinate with your other pallet pieces. Reinforce two pallets with 2×4 lumber, top it with a covered mattress, and hang this new swing with sturdy rope.

7. Vertical Wall Garden

Wall pallet gardening is a creative way to upcycle pallets into useful features. Vertical pallet garden ideas may involve creating an herb garden, flower garden, vegetable garden, or succulent display. Just make sure to place your vertical pallet garden in an area that receives full sunlight.

Vertical gardening is a perfect planter idea for people in apartments, condos, or other small dwellings who wish to begin gardening but lack the room. All you need is a small outdoor space, such as a balcony or patio. You can make a DIY pallet garden in under an hour.

Note that a wall-mounted pallet planter box is quite heavy when filled with wet soil. Therefore, make sure to mount it securely with large wood screws, metal brackets, or cleats. You can also rest the vertical pallet garden on the ground for additional support.

8. Shelf and Pot Hanger Gardens

Using a pallet to make a shelf or pot hanger is one of the more unique garden pallet projects you can do. Although pallet shelves are narrow by design, they are large enough to accommodate small flower or herb pots. For a rustic look, plant herbs in mason jars and set them on the pallet shelves. Smaller wooden or metal boxes also fit onto pallet shelves and can hold a variety of little plants.

Pallet shelves can be freestanding, placed on the ground itself. If you prefer, you can hang your pallet shelves on a patio wall or attach them to a fence. Depending on how you design your pallet garden, you can use the slats for shelves or as flat planks from which you hang pots and baskets. Continue the recycling theme by cutting plastic soda or water bottles in half and nailing them to the pallet slats to serve as plant pots.

For a really dramatic garden feature, use vertically stacked pallet panels to make a tall fence. Randomly hang galvanized buckets of herbs or trailing ivies along the rustic fence you created. Add hooks to hold your gardening tools, watering can, pruning shears, and other useful items. Finish decorating your pallet fence with a metal letter monogram or hang old metal advertising signs for a rustic, country vibe.

9. Garden Fencing With Pallets

Hang up a whole pallet, or cut it into several pallet planter boxes and hang them along your wooden fence. Trailing plants look particularly beautiful as they flow down from high-mounted pallet garden boxes, adding color and life to an ordinarily dull garden area. When pallet gardening, alternate vivid flowers or herbs with ivy for a variety of textures and colors.

Broken-down wood pallets can also become the fence itself. This is perhaps one of the most economical ways to build a wooden fence, and it’s a truly creative recycling idea. Hang fairy lights from your pallet planter or fence to add a magical charm to the area at night.

Pallet Garden FAQs