Improve Your Garden Design with These 10 Fantastic (And Practical) Garden Feature Ideas [UPDATED]

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hello Your garden design can easily be refreshed at any time of the year.

Good garden design shouldn’t purely be about aesthetic appeal, either – not when there’s an opportunity to enjoy significant practical benefits from the improvements.

If you don’t believe that you can have the best of both worlds, consider these 10 garden feature ideas to transform your garden design while improving the quality of your life at the same time.

Editor’s Note [07.12.24]:
Our article “Improve Your Garden Design with These 10 Fantastic (And Practical) Garden Feature Ideas” was originally published on June 1, 2021. Today has seen a major update to the whole article. New sections include other unusual garden features.

From a productive and beautiful garden office to unique features like garden arches, decking and water features these 10 garden features are for any size or style of garden. Whether you want to increase privacy, and functionality or just make your garden more welcoming all year round these will turn your space into a peaceful and practical haven.

Working from home is now a fact of life for many people. It brings with it many advantages but only if you do it right. If you need a space to work outside a garden office is the perfect environment.

It clears the floor space in the house, and you get to enjoy the garden. A garden office adds to the overall garden design and becomes an appealing focal point that adds value to your property. By adding garden furniture or planters around the office you seamlessly merge the workspace into the surroundings.

A garden office means far greater privacy and productivity than working in your house, not to mention the benefits it brings to your garden’s design.

A log cabin, summer house or workshop shed boasts plenty of aesthetic appeal, and it also projects a highly professional image. If a client comes to visit you, what is more likely to impress them – a desk in the dining room or a bespoke wooden office at the end of your outdoor area?

Every masterpiece needs a suitable frame, and your garden is no different. New fence panels can absolutely transform the whole feel of your garden. Fencing can be a focal point and a fresh backdrop for your plants and features.

What’s more, there is fencing to suit every conceivable style of garden. The right fencing enhances the overall garden design, blending with both traditional and modern themes.

For example, if you live in an older terraced property, traditional panels like featheredge are ideal, while picket fencing perfectly sets off a cottage garden. For large gardens, fence styles can define different zones for varied use.

Alternatively, if you prefer something a bit more contemporary, slatted fence panels make a great choice for a defined shape and modern feel. Fencing can even be used to frame a seating area or divide a small space effectively, maximising the visual appeal of your outdoor area.

Of course, there are plenty of practical benefits to most new fence runs too, including enhanced privacy and security. Should you opt for pressure treated fence panels, you have the added bonus of crossing fence treatment off your annual garden to-do list.

Plus, with various materials available, you can choose fencing that adds more interest to your landscape throughout the year. Lastly, by selecting fencing that complements your garden design ideas, you can create a real wow factor in your garden’s overall look.

Garden arches are a very good way to alter the look of a garden with minimal effort required, delivering garden furniture ideas that bring immediate impact. Use our garden arch ideas to add height and a sense of grandeur to small spaces, creating an eye-catching structure.

They are particularly effective when compartmentalising it, perhaps acting as an entry point to your vegetable patch or some other special area of the garden. A well-positioned arch can be a focal point and draw attention to different areas of your outdoor area.

Certain arches’ designs can even play with perspective, making your garden appear bigger than it actually is. Add a garden path and it becomes even more interesting!

Then there are trellis arches, which support climbing plants and provide the opportunity to create something completely unique. Try wisteria, jasmine, and clematis; they’re all easy to grow and look stunning, especially in small spaces.

Add outdoor lighting to your garden arch and it becomes magical at night, both functional and beautiful.

Composite and wooden decking is an easy and affordable way to transform your garden. Enjoy garden decking inspiration that modernises your garden without the cost!

Not only does it give the garden a modern feel, but the timber also perfectly complements the natural aspects of the rest of the garden. It looks great with the plants and greenery and blends in well with the other garden feature ideas.

Durable and hard-wearing, decking boards form the perfect base for an outdoor furniture set.

Another of our composite decking ideas is to create your own comfortable and stylish seating area, which is perfect for sitting or dining al fresco. Add garden lighting to your decking and it is usable all year round. Enjoy year-round from summer evenings to winter nights.

There’s an immense choice of the best garden furniture sets available for you to buy. Irrespective of whether you have a small or a large garden, there are outdoor furniture options for everyone.

You could opt for something as simple as an understated wooden bench or something as extravagant as a multiple-piece wooden garden furniture set. The former sits perfectly in a cottage-style garden, while the latter beautifully enhances any patio or modern decked area.

The practical advantages are clear – you now have somewhere to sit and relax, dine al fresco or entertain friends.

Adding hanging baskets or a garden path will heighten the luxury of your garden area. Many garden furniture options are low maintenance so you can enjoy your garden all year round with minimal fuss. With the right furniture, your garden can be a place to take a break and socialise.

A stunning wooden arbour, gazebo or pergola improves the look of any garden, adding both structure and style. These classic garden feature ideas will give you a great focal point to create a lovely spot in any garden.

If the structure includes lattice sides or a trellis top, you can enhance it further by incorporating climbing plants like clematis or roses. This not only adds greenery but also makes the space more interesting.

Don’t forget that arbours and gazebos often include built-in garden furniture like a seating area, providing a shaded, sheltered spot under which you can enjoy the charms of your garden. For extra luxury consider adding garden lighting to your outdoor spaces. Arbours and gazebos are a lovely way to enjoy your garden all year round.

Turn your garden into the ultimate hangout with a cool and practical garden bar. Whether you like a rustic wooden bar or a modern design, a garden bar is the perfect spot to chill with friends and family in your outdoor space.

Add comfortable seating like bar stools or benches to make it feel welcoming. Other features include storage shelves or cabinets to keep your drinks, glassware and accessories tidy and at hand. Personal touches like fairy lights, planters or signs add to the charm.

For flexibility choose a foldable or portable garden bar that can be stored away or moved. If you have the space add a mini fridge, wine rack or even a pizza oven to take your garden bar to the next level. These extras will make your garden the go-to spot for entertaining and relaxation.

Garden bars are the perfect combination of practical functionality and stylish appeal. Why not turn your garden into a social hot spot? With so many customisation options you can have a garden bar that matches your garden and lifestyle.

There is no need to limit showing off your garden design to daylight hours, not when you can purchase attractive garden lighting kits. By carefully placing lighting throughout your garden, you can create stunning effects that not only highlight your favourite features but add a whole new dimension to your garden ideas.

Outdoor lights not only illuminate your garden, but they also make an exceptionally attractive feature in their own right. From spotlights to fairy lights, there are endless garden feature ideas to explore.

Garden lighting can be installed to highlight specific garden structures, such as a gazebo, or composite decking used around your garden.

Do not be concerned about energy consumption. Many of the most efficient lighting kits are solar-powered, meaning you can light up your outdoor space without increasing your energy bills or harming the environment. Whether you are highlighting your garden path, showcasing a water feature, or just want to create a peaceful retreat for those summer evenings, there is a lighting option for every space.

A strategically placed firepit is a must for anyone with a real eye for garden design. Various outdoor firepit ideas warm the air but also create a focal point and are perfect for those cooler nights.

Fire pits and fire bowls come in a range of sizes and designs, from the traditional to the contemporary. When burning fuel in the evening twilight, they can have an almost mystical allure.

In terms of practicality, a fire pit or fire bowl will obviously keep you warm, and if you fancy a little something extra then why not choose one that doubles up as a BBQ grill? Place your firepit in a seating area or near a patio and you will make your outdoor spaces functional and beautiful.

Whether you have an average-sized garden or the luxury of a large one, a firepit will transform your garden’s usability and looks. Try pairing your firepit with garden furniture and you will have the perfect spot for your evening chill out, your garden will have the wow factor and be a haven all year round.

Everybody will notice if you add a sunroom or conservatory to your back wall. This lovely extension born from your garden design plans will draw attention from inside and out.

While they tend to lend themselves to a more contemporary garden design, a sunroom will fit with any garden style, whether it is a traditional front garden or an eclectic mix of weird and wonderful garden features. There are no rules, so a sunroom will work with any garden.

We typically associate sunrooms and conservatories with extending our living space, but don’t forget that they make excellent alternatives to greenhouses too. Mainly a sunroom extends your living space, giving you extra room for all seasons. It is perfect for planting and nurturing climbing plants or providing a cosy seating area to enjoy your views all year round.

Add some individuality to your outdoor space and make it truly special. Here are 10 unusual garden features to add character to any garden design:

Add more interest to your outdoor space with a mosaic garden path. It creates a defined shape that draws attention while using up minimal floor space in even an average-sized garden.

A fantastic opportunity to add greenery, a living wall saves space and adds vertical interest. Use hardy geraniums or climbing plants to create a lush feature that thrives year-round.

Ideal for large gardens, an outdoor kitchen turns your garden into a dining al fresco environment. Include storage space for garden furniture, making outdoor spaces both functional and stylish.

For larger gardens only, a pond creates a serene water feature that attracts wildlife and adds tranquillity. Its defined shape and placement can make the whole garden feel more peaceful and balanced.

Nobody appreciates what makes a good garden a great one better than Shedstore.

Whether you read this article in spring, summer, winter or autumn, view our fantastic full range of products and let your creative streak take over as you perfect your own garden’s design.

Adding practical and aesthetically-pleasing features to your garden gives year-round enjoyment and a new look. These garden feature ideas give you functionality without compromise. Whether you have small spaces or larger plots adding features like sculptures, garden arches and garden water features will help you make the most of your garden areas.

Create zones with new fencing or add garden lighting and you will use your garden more. Climbing plants and focal points like a garden fountain will add character and beauty. By choosing low-maintenance options such as composite decking ideas you will also keep your garden looking its best with minimal effort. Add a garden path or bird bath for that extra bit of magic. With the right design, even a small garden can feel like a haven, especially when you implement some of our outdoor firepit ideas.