We put so much work into our gardens every spring, but sometimes it takes a little cottage garden inspiration to figure out how to decorate around the flower beds! Let’s look at 23 ways you can upgrade your cottage garden this spring.
It is so easy to put all of my effort into planning the perfect garden beds and that alone. I will meticulously decide where to plant each species so colors coordinate and roots compliment instead of compete.
All this work and then I neglect to build in spaces throughout my gardens to be a voyeur of the magic of growth!
If we can learn anything from cottage style gardens, it’s that incorporating seating and gathering places throughout the foliage is equally as important as the plants themselves.
Seemingly, the primary purpose of flowers is to be noticed and seen. That’s why we love them so much, after all. They paint the backdrops of our homes and lives.
Let’s all agree to do better at enjoying the hard work we’ve put into our gardens this year by copying these ideas for cottage garden inspiration.
After all, we all deserve a cup of coffee next to carnations or an afternoon snack amidst sunflowers.
23 Ideas to Give You Cottage Garden Inspiration
Related to Cottage Garden Inspiration:
1. A Lounge Bed Among Blooms
Credit: @cottagecoredream
Imagine transforming your backyard into a romantic backyard oasis with a lounge bed nestled among lush flower beds. This will be your perfect spot for unwinding amidst the fragrance of flowers and the soft breeze of nature.
Not only does it inject rustic charm into your cottage garden, but it also serves as an immersive gardening experience. Here, you’re not just observing; you’re part of the scenery!
The addition of a lounge bed among blooms isn’t just about beauty. It enhances the functionality of your garden, inviting you to spend more time outdoors, enveloped by nature.
2. A Bike Repurposed into a Planter
Credit: @small_magical_gardens
When it comes to cottage garden inspiration, sometimes creativity and a little of whimsy is the name of the game. Repurposing an old bike as a planter is a creative way to bring different visual elements into your cottage garden.
This act of sustainable gardening gives the bike a new lease on life but also injects a unique, whimsical element into the layout, surrounded by traditional flower pots and light posts.
It is a testament to making your own cottage garden rules, where every decision is guided by nature’s ability to grow in and on anything!
3. Monochromatic Blues
Credit: @garden_blog_usa
A monochromatic blue palette in your cottage garden brings a serene, tranquil vibe that’s hard to beat.
Uniting overgrown wildflowers, a picket fence, and a sweet garden shed under this single hue creates an immersive gardening experience.
This choice will transform your outdoor space into an oasis of rustic charm. The appeal lies in simplicity, yet it results in an authentically captivating garden scene!
4. Build a Primitive Wooden Fence
Credit: @caroheartgarden
A primitive wooden fence offers a sense of organization but in a charming way. It cuddles your rambling vines and tall florals, framing them with rustic personality.
This addition doesn’t just mark boundaries; it supports climbing plants and hanging baskets, intertwining with nature to enrich the garden’s visual appeal.
Moreover, it preserves the layout, seamlessly blending pathways with wild garden growth!
5. Lanterns and Hanging Lights
Credit: @garden_blog_usa
Lanterns and hanging lights will absolutely transform the look of your cottage garden. They bring a magical ambiance at dawn and a quaint nostalgia at dawn.
It’s like stepping into a realm where everything is simple and connected with nature, the way it should be.
This simple addition, whether they dangle from the branches of a tree or line your fences, invites you into a world brimming with wonder.
6. Gorgeous Glass Greenhouse
Credit: @rootedinthyme
A glass greenhouse nestles seamlessly into these cottage garden inspiration ideas, offering both shelter on rainy days and a space for year-round gardening.
It’s a haven where you can enjoy the beauty of your garden, regardless of the season outside.
This structure not only amplifies the garden’s rustic charm but also ensures that your planting schemes aren’t halted by cold weather!
7. Romantic Fairy Lights and Vines
Credit: @the_tiny_listed_end_terrace
For this cottage garden inspiration, drape romantic fairy lights among your rambling vines, transforming your garden patio. This simple decor choice elevates the space, making your little seating area somewhere you’ll look forward to returning to at the end of the day.
Don’t be afraid to intertwine your string lights with the foliage to make it look like the plants themselves are twinkling from within!
It’s this blend of lighting and greenery that truly encapsulates the essence of a cottage garden.
8. Boho Neutral Lounge Patio
Credit: @elinlannsjo
A Boho neutral lounge patio will upgrade and modernize your cottage garden, serving as the perfect canvas for summer dinner parties.
By embracing warm Earth tones and decor made of natural materials, the patio becomes a haven of tranquility.
You’ll discover how vertical interest from climbing plants and the scent of blooming flowers will enrich this bohemian hangout. Your friends will be asking you to host all summer long!
9. Boulder Lined Pathways
Credit: @unique_garden_ideas
Give structure to your cottage garden inspiration by weaving pathways throughout the garden beds using natural stones and boulders.
These foot paths not only guide you through the vibrant spectacle of your garden but also add a rugged texture that contrasts beautifully with the softness of greenery and blooms.
Each step taken on these natural routes promises gorgeous views, evoking a sense of discovery as you meander. Such pathways serve as the veins of your garden, inviting exploration and appreciation for Spring’s beauty!
10. Dreamy Tea Time Table
Credit: @oaktreecottage17
Imagine you’ve stumbled upon a hidden nook within your lush garden, with a table inviting you to take a rest. Here, a quaint tea time table awaits, draped in soft linens that flutter gently in the breeze.
Surrounded by the vibrant hues and sweet scents of wildflowers, this spot invites moments of sheer bliss.
You pour a cup, the aroma mingling with the garden’s perfume, creating an enchanting sanctuary where time seems to stand still.
11. Classic Cottage Landing
Credit: @bijoubarn
A classic cottage landing will create a breathtaking backyard or a heartwarming centerpiece in your garden oasis. Imagine stepping onto this traditional stone laid patio, where every element whispers tales of English countrysides.
Achieve this look by encouraging vines to grow on the structures surrounding your gardens. Teak wood tables and chairs complete the look with large ceramic pots lining the space.
This timeless look will never get old. I promise with this cottage garden inspiration you’ll be racing home from work everyday to frolic in the backyard!
12. Pretty Pots and Planters
Credit: @gardenmarketonline
Versatility and charm abound when you introduce pretty pots and planters of varying sizes and designs into your cottage garden.
These planters add an authentic cottage look, especially when they’re are all different types of vintage pieces with loads of personality.
With every pot and planter, a new level and texture emerge, creating the look of a garden that’s been curated over many years. It’s a simple yet transformative way to enhance the garden’s narrative, inviting you to explore every nook!
13. Glamorous Garden Shed
Credit: @tracey_heibert
Adding a glamorous garden shed to your cottage garden inspiration can transform the space both practically and aesthetically.
It serves as a sanctuary for your gardening tools and supplies, keeping them organized and out of sight. Yet, its charm doesn’t end there; this stylish structure can double as an adorable place to host afternoon cups of coffee and spring dinner parties!
Not only will the structure itself provide extra decor opportunities, but make the most of the interior by adding tables and chairs for lounging.
14. Plaid-Covered Picnic Table
Credit: @hannesmauritzson
There’s nothing better than spreading a vintage, plaid cloth over a rustic picnic table nestled among the trees and sharing a fresh midday lunch.
Decor ideas like this will encourage you and your family to spend more time outside and among the plants you’ve worked so hard to cultivate.
The textures and patterns of a gingham tablecloth contrast beautifully with the green backdrop, crafting an informal yet incredibly inviting dining oasis under the open sky.
15. A Pebbled Patio
Credit: @elinlannsjo
If you want the look and feel of patio in your garden, but don’t want the hassle or look of large stone and cement slabs, opt for a pebble patio. These landings blend much more seamlessly with the Earth around them creating a softer look.
Using pebbles for landscaping is a very affordable option that also allows for nice drainage throughout your yard, keeping the soil and root structures thriving.
I personally much prefer this look to the more common concrete poured patios as I feel this emphasizes the look of nature instead of fighting against it.
16. A Stunning Flower Wall
Credit: @just_belle
Consider opting for a stunning flower wall, transforming a mere fence into a burst of color and life. It demands everyone’s attention, catching eyes as soon as they enter your garden oasis.
These breathtaking statement pieces add layers of beauty, whether you grow classic vines or bursting blooms.
Ramblers, self-seeding plants, and climbing roses interlace, crafting a living tapestry. The effect is nothing short of magical!
17. Plant a Citrus Tree
Credit: @elinlannsjo
The zesty scent of citrus trees mingles with the floral air – a perfect place to sit and enjoy the sunset.
If you can successfully pull off growing citrus trees as your cottage garden inspiration, then they will bless you with fruit, shade, and fragrance for years to come.
These trees captivate the senses, even before the sight of sun-kissed fruit dangling amongst the foliage captures your gaze. This is more than planting schemes; it’s crafting an experience where every blossom and fruit adds a layer to your romantic backyard oasis.
18. Pebble Foot Paths
Credit: @clark.cottage.gardens
Adding pebble foot paths to every traffic heavy area of your garden is the perfect way to marry function and beauty.
These paths meander through your garden, inviting guests to explore every bed. They turn every stroll into an adventure, weaving through your meticulously planned gardenscapes.
Paths in your cottage garden provide the perfect opportunity for you and your loved ones to enjoy the hard work of curating a blooming backyard!
19. A Wrap Around Tree Bench
Credit: @jothomspongarden
How ideal would it be to be strolling amidst flowers when all of a sudden, beneath the shade of an ancient tree, a wrap-around tree bench awaits.
It’s more than just seating; it feels like a sacred circle, inviting quiet moments or lively gatherings.
A place where stories could unfold, or simply a spot for you to get lost in the pages of a book, this bench encapsulates the spirit of informal, nature-led design.
20. Seats Among the Foliage
Credit: @brossaymotoculture
You don’t need a separate patio space in your garden this summer, instead enjoy your garden beds to their fullest by sitting among them!
If you’re the type that likes to witness pollinators in action as well as spot the occasional hummingbird, this cottage garden inspiration is the one for you.
The great thing about this design is that it doesn’t require much! No spendy decor or intrusive construction projects, just let the flowers speak for themselves.
21. Skip the Flowers, Go for Greenery
Credit: @ashley_james_gardens
Not every garden needs to be bursting with blooms and colors! Sometimes the most beautiful view is one that is almost entirely green.
The subtle variations in green texture and form paint a soothing palette, urging you to skip traditional flowers for a moment and revel in the beauty of greenery.
Green foliage gardens can be some of the easiest to maintain as you can plant primarily native bushes and vines that require less water and constant vigilance.
22. Ditch Perfect Planting, Embrace Wildflowers
Credit: @clark.cottage.gardens
Embrace the natural charm your garden has hidden within its soil. Cottage garden ethos whispers tales of unstructured beauty, where wildflowers reign supreme.
There’s nothing quite as charming or breathtaking as a full bed of wildflowers, each one competing for your attention. Lush planting takes on a new meaning here, as every corner bursts into life, unhampered by rigid designs.
Let these wild blossoms guide your garden’s transformation, where every glance offers a new, untamed vista.
23. Match Your Decor to Your Florals
Credit: @mycottagegarden_com
How adorable is this garden where the purple of the flowers so effortlessly compliments the purple of the patio furniture?
Bring the ultimate color coordination to your cottage garden inspiration this year by predicting what colors will be most prominent in your foliage, and painting the furniture to match.
This look is so whimsical and fun that you’ll be planning all your planting around what paint colors you can find for your decor!
