12 Creative Ideas to Steal for Your Garden

Use these ideas from home gardens to add creative touches to your backyard. See how gardeners repurpose items to create plant shelves, potting tables, fountains, and unique garden art.

For more ideas also see 12 Super Simple Garden Art Ideas (Trash to Treasure).

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Ideas to Improve Your Garden

I have visited hundreds of gardens over the years and I always bring a camera to capture the best ideas.

These photos were all taken (on the fly) during local garden tours. Have a look at the ideas and let inspiration strike.

1Hanging Fence Shelf

I love this idea. Use an old door or join wood planks suspended from rope to form a simple shelf mounted from a fence.

Granted, your fence needs to be securely footed, but, with that in mind, this is a great way to create a place to display garden art while also acting as a potting table.

A glass terrarium and ferns decorate the fence shelf.

2Garden Word Art

Some of the most unique ideas come from making do with what you have.

Here the word BLOOM is spelled using large, painted wood letters with two rusty metal flowers for the Os.

The wooden arrow underneath says…where you’re transplanted.

3A Place to Nap

This charming nap spot is located under an elevated shed! The sheer curtains offer extra privacy. I could not resist this on a summer’s afternoon.

This antique metal toddler bed makes a fine flower planter:

4Flower Chandelier

If you ever notice an over-the-top chandelier in a thrift store that you like but is too much for your home, buy it for your garden.

This one stands out with its red-painted roses, green foliage, and black candle holders. The old lamp crystals give it a dash of elegance.

5Silver Fountain

I do not know the name of artist who created this fountain but if I find out I will add it here: he has many talents.

This fountain is made by stacking various silver serving stands. If you look closely you can see the clear tubing that carries the water from the pump (in the clear base) up to the top dish where it trickles back down.

If your thrift shops are like the ones here, you can often get the old silver-plated pieces at nice low prices. Add a base (reservoir) and a small recirculating pump and you’re all set.

6Ground Cover Lawn

I think everyone on this tour said they’d gladly have this groundcover instead of grass lawn. I’ve written here about converting a lawn from grass to wildflowers, which is also an option.

If you like this groundcover idea, source creeping sedums and other low-growing perennials suited to your growing zone.

7Modern Art

This stacked cube sculpture is made of metal but I think you could make a version of it using wood as well. I love how it seems to defy gravity like tipsy pots while adding a modern touch that really stands out amongst the plants.

8Tree Stump Decor

For years it was considered a faux pas to leave a tree stump in the garden. If the tree needed removal, that stump had to come out too! But should it? A lot of tree services are fairly costly and, if the stump can remain and be useful—to wildlife and the gardener—without causing problems, why not keep it?

These stumps have been transformed into fairy gardens and garden gnome hangouts.

There are all sorts of gnomes available on Amazon.

9Crystal Fountain

This crystal fountain was made by the same artist who made the sterling silver fountain (see number 5).

To create one, you’ll first need a bunch of crystal (or fake crystal) bowls and plates that can stack nicely one on top of the next. Ideally the hose from the water pump runs right up through the crystal but drilling through crystal is not easy.

Second best is to use a clear hose and run it up the back side of the fountain. Use GE II Silicone Sealant or one of the marine glues listed here to join all the pieces together and secure the water hose in place.

A small recirculating pump in the base is all you need to move the water up the hose.

10Bed Frame Garden Bench

This one requires welding but before you continue scrolling, consider this. There are plenty of people with welding skills who will take on jobs like this. We have a blacksmith in our town—maybe you do too?

11Planter Box Fairy Garden

Years ago, I shared my Fairy Suitcase Garden and always recommend creating miniature gardens in containers. This way it’s easier to prevent the tiny accessories from disappearing.

The garden you see here was created in a raised bed built into the side of a backyard deck. Perfect for grandchildren who enjoy disappearing into tiny worlds to play.

12Rustic Trellis

This last idea is a simple garden trellis made from rough cut branches. The size, scale, and style look perfect next to the rustic snake fence.

No word on whether the owl statue managed to keep the birds away from the nearby vegetable garden.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛