Gardens are an inexpensive and simple way to add more life and color to your surroundings, and they can be easily modified depending on the time of year, the occasion, or simply your mood.
If you’re in the mood to get your hands dirty but don’t want to invest a ton of money in it, check out these eight simple garden decoration ideas that won’t cost you much money at all.
Some of these ideas don’t involve purchasing a particular product while others will require a small purchase of the flora or materials. Some garden décor ideas use commonly available resources like
Strings
Old crates
Old Buckets
Bricks
Plastic
Sticks
Wood/ Timber
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Inexpensive Garden Decoration Ideas
1. Herb Garden
The first easy and inexpensive garden idea you can use to decorate your idea is an herb garden. All you need is some small pots, dirt, herbs (you can grow from seeds), a potting mix, and a sunny place for the herbs to grow.
Choose from a variety of herbs such as basil, chives, dill, oregano, parsley, thyme, or sage. Herbs make it easier to cook with fresh ingredients by adding a flavor that is usually not present in processed foods.
You can also collect the leaves of these plants and dry them out in order to create herbal teas or infusions that are great for cooking as well as relaxing!
2. Miniature Tree House
One of the most simple garden decoration ideas is to build a miniature tree house. All you need is some scraps of wood, a few nails, and a lot of imagination. If you want to get really creative, you can even paint or decorate the tree house. For plants, consider adding some vines or creepers to make it look like a real tree house.
3. Build Sandboxes
Another simple garden decoration idea is to build a sandbox. Sandboxes are suitable for small children, so it is an excellent choice if you have any toddlers running around.
Sandboxes can be designed in many different ways, so you have a lot of freedom in terms of design. However, you can simply put some sand or paint into an old playpen if you don’t want to invest a lot of time or money into building one.
4. A Wheelbarrow Planter
One great way to add some decoration to your garden is with a wheelbarrow planter. You can usually find wheelbarrows at garage sales or thrift stores for cheap, and then just add some soil and plants.
You can also get creative with how you arrange the plants in the wheelbarrow, adding rocks or other decorations as well. And if you’re really feeling ambitious, you could try painting it a different color!
4. A Cinder Block Patio
A Cinder Block Patio can easily be done at home. The materials needed for this garden are cinder blocks, a shovel, a power saw, a leveler, an electric drill with concrete drill bits, a trowel, a garden hose, and water to mix the concrete with.
After building the cinder block wall at desired height place the leveler on top of it to create an even surface. Next use the electric drill to drill holes in each side of the blocks then insert the ends of wires into them so they won’t fall out while they’re being filled with concrete.
5. A DIY Garden Pathway
If you’re looking for a simple garden decoration that will add both function and beauty to your outdoor space, consider creating a DIY pathway.
Paths can be made from a variety of materials, including pavers, stones, or even recycled tires. And you can find some of these in your yard, garage, or in some old stuff resell markets like Facebook Marketplace or Craiglist.
Simply lay out your desired path and begin filling it in with your chosen material. If you want a more natural look, consider using plant life to edge your path.
6. A Flower Tower (for several varieties of flowers)
You can build a simple tower out of chicken wire or wooden lattice. Fill it with soil, and then plant different varieties of flowers in it. Place the tower in a sunny spot in your garden. Water regularly, and enjoy your beautiful flower display!
Don’t want to build your own tower? Buy a planter from a garden center, then fill it with rocks or clay pots to create layers for your flowers. Remember that flowers grow best when planted in soil (not rock), so choose an inexpensive option like Tuff stone—which you can buy in a bag from any gardening store.
7. Plants in Bags/Tubs
One of the easiest ways to decorate your garden is to add some plants in bags or tubs. These are so easy to do and they can be put inside the garden, on the veranda, or near the backyard walls especially if they’re clipping plat.
Aloe plants are a great option because they’re low maintenance and can tolerate a wide range of conditions. Plus, they look great in pots or hanging baskets. Here are a few tips for decorating with aloe plants:
– Choose a location that gets plenty of sunlight. Aloe plants need at least six hours of sun per day.
– Select a pot or basket that is slightly larger than the plant’s root ball.
8. Fairy Lights Under a Skylight
Fairy lights are a great way to decorate your garden on a budget. You can buy them in various colors and sizes, and they add a touch of whimsy to any garden.
Plus, they’re easy to install – just hang them under a tree or along a fence. For an extra-special touch, hang them under a skylight so they twinkle in the night sky.
9. Vertical Wall planter
This is a great way to add some greenery to your garden without taking up too much space. All you need is a blank wall and some pots or planters.
You can either hang them or prop them up on shelves. Be sure to water them regularly.
You can consider having a blank wall that needs to be dressed up, then consider creating a vertical garden. Vertical gardens are gaining popularity due to their versatility, as they don’t require much space and can be designed according to your taste.
All you need is some containers (you can find recycled glass bottles or colorful pots at stores like Dollar Tree) which you fill with soil and plants. Set them on a shelf or hang them on walls around your garden, whether they are on a balcony or indoors in an apartment.
10. Verandah Vegetable Garden
One inexpensive and simple garden decoration idea is to create a verandah vegetable garden. You can do this by reusing old tires or pallets as planters.
Make sure to drill holes in the bottom of the tires or pallets for drainage. Fill the planters with soil and then plant your vegetables. Water regularly and soon you will have a bounty of fresh veggies.
The best way of watering them is before mopping your house. Since a house needs to be mopped at least twice a day, the vegetables will be getting enough water.
You can also use a large garbage bin to create a garden. For example, if you have spare wood lying around, turn it into a trellis for climbing plants like beans or peas.
Line the bottom of your garbage bin with stones or bricks to add weight and increase drainage. Fill it with soil before planting! If you don’t have much time to do any gardening, then consider growing quick-growing annuals in pots on your verandah.
11. Use Well-Drained Planters
Another no-brainer DIY garden décor idea is to use well-drained planters. When planters are well-arranged, they make your garden look beautiful and inviting.
You can use old buckets, plastic pails, or iron vessels. Just create small holes for drainage and you then add well-mixed soil inside.
To create support, you will use either small chains, strings, or wire. This way, your planters will be easily hanged from another asset.
Make sure that the planters are arranged at the same height, are of similar size, and are all well exposed to light. This will ensure even growth and a well-align look.
12. Add a Hammock
Imagine spending your summer Saturday mornings swinging on your homemade hammock. You can add this DIY garden idea to your backyard.
Wait!
What is a hammock?
This is a type of bed that hangs between two poles or trees. It is a great place for relaxation and fun. You can lay there and sleep for hours.
It’s a perfect DIY idea, and it doesn’t require a lot of materials. To create your own hammock, you need two big trees three to five meters apart.
Alternatively, you can insert poles with the same measurements apart. You’ll then need a piece of strong fabric and ropes. These ropes will be tied to the end of the piece of cloth.
The other ends of the ropes will be tied to the trees or poles. This is where you’ll now hang and dangle during summer.
You can also take a step further and add a beautiful hammock chair. This is a hanging chair that looks like a nest. These chairs can easily be knit or purchased from various marketplaces.
13. Grow Flowers in Breeze Blocks
Breeze blocks create a nice arrangement in the garden. They can be used as boundaries or containers.
To make a boundary using breeze blocks, you align the bricks on the edges of your flower beds. This will ensure that water is not wasted.
The other ingenious way of using breeze blocks in your garden is to grow flowers inside the holes of the bricks. You add some humus-filled soil in the holes of the bricks. Then you can add seeds or transplant little seedlings into the holes.
Either way, you choose, you can take it to the next level. Painting the blocks in colors will add a very beautiful look to your garden.
14. Use Old Crates
Do you have some old crates in your basement or garage? You can use them to add a great look to your backyard garden.
There are two ways to use old crates for garden décor. First, you can stack them to create a vertical garden. To create strong support, you need to fix them against a fence or any strong pole.
Secondly, you can use old crates to create a well-arranged garden. You can use about five to ten crates to create a floral bed. Crates are great for gardening because of the spaces under them which issue water drainage and aeration.
15. Use Old Ladders
Old ladders can also be used as an anchor for some florals. They can be leaned against the backyard wall, allowing climbing-stemmed florals to clip up.
You can also use two ladders for garden décor. You can lean the ladders against each other and put flat timber on each level. Then put containers with flowers on each level.
This will create multiple triangles and will be the focal point for your visitor. If you nurture the plants and flowers carefully, your backyard will be the best spot in your home.
16. Add Some Simple Furniture
A beautiful backyard garden is nothing if it does not have places to sit down and rest. You need to add some simple furniture.
There are a couple of ways you can add furniture to your backyard garden. You can use built cement chairs, DIY benches, hammocks, or well-crafted wooden chairs.
Adding a wooden dining set can also be such a great idea. It’s a place where your family and friends will be partaking in some meals and having get together.
17. Add Colorful Plants
You don’t have to keep plants of the same color and specie in your entire garden. Mono-floriculture is great when it comes to pests and disease control, but does not present the best floral look to your garden.
Your garden needs to have a variety of plants and flowers. You can include a bed of Antirrhinum or Tagetes. When these are well cared for, they bring an amazing look to your garden.
18. Arrange Ground Florals in Small Beds and Trays
The other garden idea that won’t cost you a dime is to arrange your flowers in beds and trays. Such divisions not only help you to manage the garden but also enhance the eye-pleasing look of your garden.
You can use some of the ideas discussed above. Create divisions using crates, old containers, and breeze bricks.
Of course, the best way to ensure the best division in your garden is to plan out everything. Before putting the first shovel into the ground, make sure you have clear demarcations of your beds and trays.
19. Create Shade with Clipping Plants
Finally, you can use climbing-stemmed plants to create shade. This is so ideal for summer garden ideas.
To create the shade, you’ll need to clip species of flowers. Then you’ll need poles to support the plants climb up and poles on top to prove the roofing.
As the plants grow, you’ll need to trim all branches growing inward. You’ll also keep an eye on the branches that are growing outwards by pinning them upward or sideways.
In no time, the flowers will seize the entire area and create a backyard floral house.
