15+ Shockingly Simple Tricks To Make Your Garden Look Expensive Overnight

Concerns about rot, termites, or animals like foxes and raccoons burrowing underneath can make decking less appealing. If that’s the case, consider a patio instead. While installing a patio can be labor-intensive, it can last for decades with proper care. Plus, you have endless options for the color, style, pattern, and layout of the paving slabs you choose.

If you’ve dreamed of a house with a wraparound veranda or a shady porch, a pergola can be a great alternative. While not entirely weather-proof, it offers valuable shade on sunny days, especially when adorned with climbing plants like grapevines. If you’re skilled with woodworking, you might even consider designing and building your own pergola.

A simple way to upgrade any hard surface in your garden or yard is by adding an outdoor rug. These rugs are tough, durable, water and stain-resistant, and easy to clean. They offer a softer surface for bare feet or crawling babies, and they look fantastic too!

No matter how much outdoor space you have, a water feature can enhance it. Whether it’s a large fountain, a small one like the one in the picture, or water channels around a terrace, the sound of running water adds a soothing touch to any setting.

You don’t have to limit yourself to natural stone colors for your yard or garden walls. Just like in your home, the colors you choose can transform the space. Whitewashing can make small areas feel larger, black or dark green creates a dramatic backdrop for plants, and bright colors can uplift the mood.

Why limit it to walls? Fences can be painted too, and you’re not restricted to the typical colors at your local hardware store. Think bold, think pastels, think about whatever brings you joy. If you’re feeling extra creative, consider adding stenciling or artwork, just like in the picture above!

As any garden owner knows, weeding is a constant task, with only a short break during the colder months. However, it’s also one of the most effective ways to dramatically improve the look of your garden or yard, especially if you concentrate on paths and patios.

Even the busiest or least experienced gardener can add a touch of creativity with a couple of packets of wildflower seeds. You can design striking visual displays or simply scatter the seeds wherever you want a burst of color. Plus, the flowers that bloom are fantastic for pollinating insects, like bees.

Admittedly, companion planting is a step above simply scattering wildflower seeds. But if you’re serious about your vegetables and want to protect them from common garden pests, it’s worth looking into. Plus, when done correctly, it maximizes your space and helps create an impressive vegetable garden.

Getting into topiary (hedge-shaping) might seem like an advanced level of gardening, but if you’re creative and willing to try, the results can be remarkable. Why not draw inspiration from the bird shapes above? They can be found in the eight-acre Rookcliffe Garden in the English Cotswolds.

You might associate statues with classical figures and grand country gardens, but the right statue—or a few—can fit beautifully in even the smallest, most suburban yards. Choose something meaningful to you, and it could become an instant talking point for everyone who visits.

Lawns can become muddy and unpleasant to walk on, especially when wet. A well-designed path can address this issue, and whether you choose paving stones or gravel, it can also serve as a striking visual feature. In larger spaces, paths can help divide areas for both practical use and visual interest.

Even the neatest yard or garden can seem incomplete without clear separation between paths and grass or hard surfaces and large shrubbery. Well-planted borders offer a great solution and allow you to have fun by changing them with each new season.

Most of us enjoy having a comfy spot to sit, admire our yard, read a good book, or simply watch the world go by. While there are many outdoor seating options available, if you’re fortunate enough to have a porch, a well-made porch swing is hard to beat.

You can purchase kits from gardening centers, or if you’re handy and have the materials, you could build your own. Railway sleepers or wood offcuts create sturdy and attractive structures. Thrift stores are also great for finding other items, like galvanized watering cans. Plus, you can place these structures anywhere you have space; the one in the picture is on a front stoop.

Just like with walls and fences, trellises don’t have to be drab and uniform in color. While you’ll need to paint them before any plants grow on them, the effort can lead to eye-catching results, such as this beehive trellis designed for cucumbers.

Often hidden away in garden corners, sheds are easily overlooked and can fall into disrepair. While a weathered shed can have its own charm, consider remodeling yours to create something unique and Instagram-worthy!

If you decorate your home for the seasons, why not extend the idea to your yard? Fall with its pumpkins is a classic choice, while late summer allows for harvest-themed decor. Easter brings opportunities for chicks, rabbits, and bright spring colors, and winter is perfect for a Santa-themed evergreen look.

New planters can be pricey and often lack inspiration. Fortunately, you can solve both issues by making your own. You don’t need woodworking skills; just get creative with repurposing old items. For example, someone has turned an old dresser into a planter and also used a galvanized bucket.

Well-planted window boxes enhance almost any home. On large buildings, they break up the vertical surfaces, while on smaller ones, they add a cozy touch. They’re especially useful for homes with limited or no private outdoor space, providing an ideal outlet for your green thumb.

As long as appropriate fire safety standards are met—and assuming the swing seats with their blankets are safely distanced from the fire pit—a backyard fire pit is a valuable addition. It makes sitting outside on cooler evenings much more inviting.

The popularity of bifold doors has made “bringing the outside inside” a trend in interior design. But why not consider the reverse—bringing the “inside outside”? Regardless of the direction, it blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces, making your overall footprint feel larger and more versatile.

You might associate outdoor fairy or twinkle lights with weddings or celebrations, but they can do much more. Strings of lights can dramatically transform the look and feel of your outdoor space and expand its uses. Be prepared to spend a lot more time enjoying your newly lit area!

An outdoor mirror, typically mounted on a wall or sturdy fence, can be a stunning focal point in your garden. It not only makes small spaces appear larger but also adds a striking design element. And don’t stop with mirrors—outdoor clocks and other decorative art pieces can also significantly enhance your outdoor space.

If you love birds, consider adding a bird feeding station to your garden or yard. Even with limited space, you can place a feeding station on a suitable window ledge. Regardless of where you install it—whether it’s a traditional bird table or another type of feeder—ensure it’s safe from predators and kept clean.

If bird tables seem too common or you already have one, consider adding an insect (or bug) hotel to your garden. These can be purchased from garden centers, but they’re also fun and easy to make, especially with kids. In addition to being a charming addition, insect hotels help boost the ecological health of your garden.

If you’re skilled at woodworking or looking for a project to learn on, consider building outdoor seating, such as simple benches. You could end up with a high-quality piece that costs less than a comparable store-bought option.

This living fence, made from cactus plants, is a great option if you live in places like Arizona and need intruder-proof fencing. However, living fences are a viable option everywhere. In the UK, traditional hedging is common in rural areas, but you can adopt a similar concept in an urban environment as well.

If you enjoy sewing, use your skills to brighten up your outdoor space! From handmade bunting for parties, celebrations, or holidays, to cushion covers for your outdoor chairs, the possibilities are as endless and exciting as your imagination.

A well-crafted garden pond is a true labor of love. It requires time and effort to dig, careful placement, correct installation (including the right liner), and ongoing maintenance. Get it all right, and you’ll have a stunning focal point in your garden.

Garden gnomes may be a popular choice, but there are many other options for outdoor decor. For example, shells can be an attractive and unique feature, especially if, like the owner of this collection, you live in a landlocked area.

If you have young kids, ensure they get the most out of their yard by adding a dedicated play area. While they might enjoy kicking a ball or shooting hoops, a well-designed, age-appropriate play area can make a big difference. Just be sure the surface is safe and the equipment is properly installed.

Slate markers are a charming and practical solution for herb and veggie gardens where it’s easy to lose track of what’s growing where. While they are widely available for purchase, you can also make your own using outdoor paint and a stencil set.

Raised beds offer two major benefits. First, they reduce the strenuous work of weeding, digging, sowing, and harvesting. Second, when paired with a trellis, they save space in small gardens and make the area look larger and more interesting. Additionally, raised beds are easy to construct using wood offcuts that might otherwise go to waste.

If you enjoy socializing and hosting friends, a garden bar can elevate your gatherings to a new level. As long as you’re far enough from neighbors (or keep noise levels in check), a garden bar can also serve as a cheerful reminder of vacation vibes.

Planting in small gaps can involve utilizing narrow spaces between decking and fences, as shown in the picture. It also means examining existing planting schemes to see what you can add to fill any gaps. Ground-covering plants are excellent for crowding out weeds and adding visual interest.

After putting in the effort to weed a bed, mulching can highlight your hard work and help prevent new weeds from emerging. The photos show how a mulched bed looks much better cared for compared to an un-mulched one.

You’re likely familiar with using climbing plants to enhance walls, fences, trellises, and pergolas. But why not use a vibrant flowering climber to make your mailbox stand out? Choose a repeat-flowering variety, and you could enjoy color throughout much of the year.

While not a project to undertake on a whim, a wild swimming pond can be one of the most rewarding ways to revitalize your yard or garden. With proper installation, maintenance can be less time-consuming and costly than you might think.

Want to refresh your garden or yard quickly? Check out these simple tips for adding new plants, decor, and practical touches that will make a big difference with minimal effort. Transform your outdoor space in no time!

Go build a deck

Whether it’s attached to your house or tucked away in a corner of the yard, decking can be a valuable addition to your home. With proper installation and maintenance, it creates an ideal spot to enjoy your morning coffee, a leisurely lunch, or dinner with friends.