40 Enchanting Small Garden Ideas You Can Actually Afford
No space is too small for a grand makeover.
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Gardening isn't just gratifying — it's a great way to add personality to your space, especially if it's compact. That's why we're rounding up clever small garden ideas to create the outdoor oasis of your dreams.
You can fill your outdoor area with a DIY vertical garden or if you're feeling extra crafty, repurpose vinyl gutters into a hanging greenery display. Try creating raised garden beds for easy-to-grow vegetables or an eye-catching arrangement of tropical plants, perennial flowers or evergreen shrubs. Want to keep it extra simple? Hang string lights, display a bird bath or set up a wooden bench.
And if you're arranging a completely new garden, be sure to keep your plants' care requirements in mind. You''ll need the right soil, water and sunlight to help them thrive. Now go ahead and start scrolling to pick the perfect look for your small garden — even if you're a beginner gardener.
Create an Herb Garden Planter
There’s nothing better than cooking with herbs right from your own garden—and now, you can do it all year long. Thanks to this clever setup from bloggers Alice and Louis, you can grow herbs outdoors during the warmer months and easily transition them indoors once the temperature dips.
Upcycle Vintage Furniture
Who knew your old bathtub could get a second life? Take inspiration from The Restore and transform one into an eye-catching garden planter. With just a few tools and some soil, you’ll have a vintage-inspired garden centerpiece that’s anything but ordinary.
Hang String Lights
String lights instantly add charm to a compact outdoor space. A soft glow among the greenery creates a cozy, magical feel. For the best results, opt for waterproof lights to keep things shining even through rainy weather.
Display a Bird Bath
A bird bath brings movement and life to a garden, especially in a small layout. Just add water and watch the birds flock in. Be sure to stay on top of cleaning it, though!
Add a Garden Bench
Few things are more delightful than enjoying your garden from the comfort of a bench—it invites relaxation and sparks conversation. Simply flank a wooden one with pretty potted blooms and you're all set!
Grow a Plant That Attracts Wildlife
Add plants that bring your garden to life—literally. The Honeycomb Butterfly Bush not only smells sweet like honey, but it also makes a stunning statement piece. Its golden blooms attract butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators, adding a touch of magic to your space. Even better? It’s hardy enough to withstand tough winters.
DIY a Candle Flower Vase
This DIY flower garden candle vase adds a dose of nature to any setting—no matter the size. What's more, you can swap out the flowers any time without dealing with messy soil. It’s an easy, seasonal update that keeps your space feeling fresh year-round.
Build an Arched Trellis
Add an arched trellis, covered in climbing vines, to create a focal point in your small garden. Try planting one crop on each side. Just make sure not to over-crowd the seeds for air flow.
Consider Raised Beds
A great option for beginners, raised garden beds offer better soil drainage and don't require excessive tilling that can come along with an in-ground garden. Place small raised garden beds in the backyard, front yard or even on a patio.
Get the tutorial at Designer Trapped »
RELATED: Inexpensive Raised Garden Bed Ideas That Are Easy to DIY
Use Terra-Cotta Pots
Display multi-colored flowers in a tiered terra-cotta planter to save ground space. Take it a step further by recreating the beauty of a rainbow, using red tulips, orange tiger lilies, yellow daffodils and so on.
Craft a Sun Catcher
This hand-crafted sunflower sun catcher will add a dose of cheer to your outdoor garden. You'll need a wooden flower and acrylic paint to get started, plus beads that'll sparkle in full sun.
Make a Wheelbarrow Garden
Turn an old wheelbarrow into a rustic flower garden. Just drill a few holes in the bottom for drainage. What's great about this setup is you can relocate your garden as needed.
RELATED: Summer Flowers to Enjoy in Your Outdoor Garden All Season Long
Repurpose Vinyl Gutters
If you're short on backyard space, hang flower-filled planters from the porch. White vinyl gutter and about 20 feet of nylon rope are the main components of this adorable hanging garden.
Use Plant Supports
Help your crops grow taller and straighter with metal support stakes. Keep your plants off the ground and give them better access to sunlight, while also adding visual interest to your small garden.
Incorporate a Small Pond
Dedicate space for a small fish pond surrounded by natural paving stones, then fill in the area with lush bushes and flowers. You'll likely want to start with a pond liner, but keep in mind you'll need an array of items to keep fish alive (like a pond pump and filter).
Stay Organized With Plant Markers
From tomatoes and cucumbers to jalapeño peppers, make sure you know exactly where your fruits and veggies are plotted with plant markers.
Choose a Sunny Setup
Before building a garden, keep in mind that most vegetables and fruits prefer full sun (at least six hours of sun per day). Here, Tilly Design carefully considers the needs of each plant and chooses to use a mix of raised garden beds and planting directly into the ground.
RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Starting a Vegetable Garden
Transform a Side Yard
Use stacked pavers to establish a garden in one area of the yard (ideally the side closer to your property's edge). Bring in mulch and stones, then let trees and shrubs flourish.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built »
RELATED: Beautiful Backyard Decor Ideas to Create an Outdoor Oasis
Add Faux Grass Stepping Stones
You might not have a huge lawn, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a bit of grass — even if it's faux. These faux grass stepping stones are inexpensive to make on your own.
Grow a Lattice Green Wall
Obsessed with lattice? For an unexpected touch to your garden, let the pattern set the foundation for a green wall.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
Tori Polizzotto Jones is a writer based in NYC, with a big heart and a passion for storytelling. Growing up in Brooklyn as a dancer, her creative roots have always run deep. After studying Fashion Media at LIM College, she found her way into writing, covering everything from beauty and lifestyle to home decor, food and entertainment. Tori’s work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Esquire, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Delish, where she brings her unique perspective and love for all things creative to every piece.
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