7 Great Ideas for Decorating Your Garden

No matter the size of your backyard, decorating your garden shouldn't be costly or hugely disruptive; it should be fun and exciting, something to look forward to, and something that you enjoy. It could be as simple as painting your garden fence to give it a fresh, new look, or as adventurous as going for a different feel, from modern, rustic, elegant, vintage, natural, or a blend of everything.

Whether you like gardening or plants, lounging in the sun or on a hammock, hosting a party or having a quiet dinner with family and friends, we've got 7 great suggestions on how to decorate your garden for a fresh, new look this year:

Showcase your new collection of plants and flowers

If you're new to gardening, it might be a good idea to consult with professional outdoor decorators or even your local florists before getting plants for your garden. They will give you tips on which plants or seeds to get depending on the look you are going for and whether they will fit or complement your garden.

For more visual appeal, you can hang flower pots, in a variety of colours or shades, from different heights and locations. You can add some of your favourite plants to flowering beds and planters strewn along a path or on each side of your garden. If you prefer a more chaotic, natural feel, give your plants somewhere to grow and let them be, so they can be the main focal point in the garden over time. Or perhaps, you can get a little bit creative and eco-friendly by recycling metal tubs, tins, glass jars, or bottles into makeshift plant pots, creating less waste while also saving you some money.

Give your backyard fence a complete makeover

A simple backyard fence can be rather dull, adding no visual appeal or value to your garden. So you can give a simple makeover to your backyard fence or wall by painting it with some lighter colours or any other colour that matches the look you are going for.

You can also customise your garden fence by adding an assortment of small potted plants onto the fence, introducing new colours and bringing more life to your garden. Alternatively, you can add a few lightweight shelves and place some terracotta pots with some of your favourite plant species or even herbs such as parsley, mint, sage, rosemary, etc. For a more vibrant and lively backdrop, you can cover your garden fence with a blend of climbing plants, green foliage, and some lovely blossoms.

Invite new visitors by creating a wildlife-friendly garden

From butterflies and moths to small mammals and birds, our British wildlife continues to decline, so the least we can do is create some wildlife-friendly space and allow nature back into our garden. This will not only make it feel a lot more alive, but you might even attract some very rare wildlife to your garden. You can start by putting up a few bird feeders to invite your new feathery visitors for a tasty meal; or perhaps, you could even set up a water feeder or bird bath to invite them over for a cool drink or a refreshing summer bath.

For a hedgehog-friendly garden, you can create a small entrance on the fence or wall to allow hedgehogs to pass through, and also build a hedgehog house using plastic waste and old timber. If you've got kids, this can be a wonderful learning experience while also keeping them busy. All in all, decorating a wildlife-friendly garden can be a gentle, soothing yet rewarding experience, especially during the spring and summer months when it comes to life as bumble bees hover to collect pollen, butterflies flutter to sip nectar from flowers, little hoglets scurry about the bushes, and birds invite themselves over for a tasty snack.

Brighten it with some decorative and ambient lighting

As evening sets in, darker hours are just a whisker away, and even the most well-kept, manicured gardens get tucked away in the shadows of the night. So why not brighten it with some decorative and ambient lighting for a warm, refreshing look, and a magical feel?

You can start by installing in-ground decorative torches and lanterns along the garden trail and flower beds for a soft ambience glow. You could also hang simple festoon lights above and around garden fences or walls to illuminate and complement your garden space, especially if you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors with your family and friends. For a magical touch, you can hang these solar-powered LED lanterns above your garden, which will surely add extra charm and a dreamy look for the perfect summer evening.

Liven up the outdoors by setting up or upgrading garden furniture

Whether your garden is large or small, fenced or open, natural or concrete, you can make the most of your outdoor space by decorating it with garden furniture that speaks to your personality and your budget. From cosy sofas, sun loungers, teak tables, benches and coffee tables to rocking deck chairs, every corner of your garden can be equipped with the ideal outdoor furniture to liven it up for any moment, celebration or occasion. Also, don't forget to pile on extra weatherproof cushions on your wooden furniture for comfort and style – you can never go wrong with having too many of them!

You can also set up an outdoor dining table in your garden, so dining outside can be an option, or perhaps even perfect for Sunday afternoon lunches as well as for spring and summer seasons, basking in warm and pleasant weather with good vibes all around. For late evenings, set the mood for a perfect outdoor dining experience by draping festoon lights above your dining table and even hanging lanterns or a candle holder. Your loved ones will surely appreciate the gesture and your new, beautifully furnished garden, and of course the meal.

Create a relaxing, cosy garden space for you

With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it's too easy to forget that you also need to check in and take care of yourself. So rather than being cooped up indoors all day, why not create a relaxing, cosy garden space for a quick getaway from everything? It can be as simple as putting up a hammock or a swing, or you can get creative with your garden furniture, cushions and rugs to design a perfect garden space for a late afternoon snooze in the sun, reading your favourite book or simply enjoying some quiet time with yourself.

Add extra warmth for chilly evenings and long autumn nights

The shedding of tree leaves heralds the advent of autumn, and even winter, which means fewer daylight hours and more time spent indoors. But your outdoor garden can still be a cosy place to spend some quality time outside.

As the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, add some extra warmth for late chilly evenings and long winter nights by setting up patio heaters, or even building a firepit when decorating your garden. This will create a nice, relaxing atmosphere, which is perfect for inviting some family and friends over for a quiet evening or even a cookout. Besides, there are many benefits of cooking outside, one being food tastes way better, especially in the company of family and friends.

How do I brighten up my garden on a budget?

There are many ways you can decorate your garden without having to spend a fortune on decor or new accessories. Below, we've listed some tips to help you brighten up your garden on a budget: 

• Buy seeds as it can be cheaper and rewarding in the long run
• If you prefer buying plants, shop around at the end of the season for discounts. This usually happens in the fall, and sometimes in late spring. 
• Recycle metal tubs, tins, glass jars and plastic bottles into makeshift plant pots 
• Make planters and flower beds out of discarded cardboard boxes
• Use wood chips as a mulch for your gardening needs. Besides, they can also be used to design your garden pathways, flower beds and garden borders
• Repurpose old furniture for outdoor use, or craft unique garden furniture 
• Check if you have any indoor accessories that can be brought outside, like pillows, candles, lanterns, cotton sheets, rugs and so on.