It can be a pretty daunting task to create a landscape that flows freely from one flowerbed to another and one that has a distant colour and cohesive theme. We are not all born artists and turning your garden from a clump of grass into a veritable Garden of Eden can feel like an impossible task to all but the most green-fingered amongst us.
But it doesn’t have to take a complete overhaul to spruce up your outdoor space, sometimes there are simple and cost-effective landscaping ideas that work just as well and are not nearly as disruptive.
Display planters
We might not all have traditional gardens to work with. Some of us might only have a patio or balcony, for example. If you don’t have any space for flower beds or just don’t have the time to dig them up and keep them maintained, the best alternative is display planters.
Place your planters on either side of your doors to really frame the entrances or you can get hanging baskets and planters for your windowsill. Focusing on decorating the front of your house with planters particularly will give your home epic curb appeal. And remember, don’t feel limited by your lack of space; make the most of it. Also, consider using plants that are actually useful – something that repels bugs perhaps? Or maybe a DIY herb garden?
Keep it low maintenance
Having the perfect looking lawn takes time and money. It might look incredible the day after you’ve finished cutting and pruning but if you don’t look after it constantly then it could have turned back into a wild jungle by the end of the week. The constant watering, feeding and weeding can be incredibly tedious if you’re not naturally inclined to love gardening.
So, try opting instead for something that does the trick but requires little maintenance. Instead of a big patch of grass or a flower bed, consider buying a bulk bag of gravel and creating a minimalistic rock garden instead. However, you might want to invest in a strimmer to keep a smooth edge on your lawn if you have one, unless you want to go artificial lawn of course. Even if you don’t have a lawn, if you have weeds or plants growing through your paving slabs you can use the strimmer to cut these down with minimal fuss.
Add a splash of colour
Adding a little colour to your outdoor space can be as simple as painting your planters in bold colours, choosing garden furniture with some character, or giving any wooden, metallic or plastic surfaces a fresh lick of bespoke paint.
And, if all else fails and you can’t find a budget landscaping idea that suits your budget and tastes, there’s always the nuclear option of installing decking.
