Charming and Cheap: Creative Ideas For A Dreamy Cottage Garden

We opened our pool this weekend and, honestly, it was the best Mother's Day present. 

Once that awful green cover is removed and that gorgeous blue water comes into view again, it signals the beginning of the unofficial summer season, which is my favorite.

But around here, it's super short.


That's why as soon as the warm weather and sunshine arrive, I try to spend as much time as possible outside.

And while I adore the beach, and try to go almost every day, I'm a true homebody. This little 1929 bungalow is my haven.

So it's important to me that the garden is a cozy, comfortable, colorful place to chill out and entertain.

However, I don't have a green thumb (my husband is the plant whisperer, I'm just the design girl) and I refuse to spend a lot of money to create a garden that makes me smile.

Instead, I look for ways I can add warmth and charm easily and inexpensively. So today, I've gathered a few of my go to, crafty, budget friendly DIYs that will turn your cottage style garden into a relaxing summer space you'll never want to leave.

Oh wait. Maybe that's just me. 😉

Simple Cottage Garden Structures

• The Zero Dollar Trellis
  
  We found a small bench at the curb and used it to anchor a very simple DIY trellis.
  
  
  
  
  
  Now, you don't need a bench to make your garden grow. This idea works with almost any junk find. Choose your favorite freebie and get started.
  
  
• Thrifted Metal Plate Rack Trellis
  
  I have way too many plates and almost no more wall space in this tiny cottage.
  
  
  
  
  
  However. When I saw this plate rack, I couldn't pass it up. So I brought it into the garden to add interest and another place for climbing plants to flourish. 
  
  
• Second Hand Metal Orb Lantern
  
  Every garden needs a few objects just for interest, so when I spotted this in my sister's giveaway pile, I grabbed it.
  
  
  
  
  I knew that old metal orb would make a perfect conversation piece and with the addition of a battery operated light, it became a lantern, as well. Win, win!
  
  
• Clearance Aisle DIY Fountain
  
  For me, a water feature is a must in any cottage garden.
  
  
  
  
  
  We installed a cheap pond years ago (seriously, when I say cheap, I mean "attention Kmart shoppers"), and with it, a fountain...or two. The latest was made out of a resin statue we found in the HomeGoods red tag aisle. Now we have the soothing sound of water flowing all season long and it only cost us about fifteen bucks.

Quirky And Cheap Container Gardens

• Aged Terracotta Pots
  
  I aged small terracotta pots for spring one year and placed them on my mantel.
  
  
  
  
  
  The same technique can be used on larger pots to add a vintage vibe in the garden. To make sure your aged patina lasts, just coat those planters with a waterproof sealer and add some colorful flowers. Fabulous.
  
  
• Upcycled And Novelty Planters
  
  Like I said, I'm not the gardener around here, but the vision is all mine...and I favor a collected look, inside and out.
  
  
  
  
  
  So when I'm out and about, I grab anything that can hold dirt and water. From tea cups and old tins and to quirky ceramic pieces, I'm not that discriminating. Best of all they're usually no more than a dollar and there's no DIY involved at all. Yay!
  
  
• Galvanized Tub Gardening
  
  Ah, galvanized tubs. How do I love you...let me count the ways! 
  
  
  
  
  Clearly, I'm a sucker for those aged buckets and I have tons of them. My favorite way to use them is for container gardening. Beds are lovely, but there's something about about a bunch of wildflowers blooming inside a metal wash bucket that says summer is here. It's my version of a chaos gardening in a container. Even I can't mess that up!
  
  
• Decoupage Cake Tin Centerpiece Planter
  
  This is my latest floral craft and now I want to make many, many more.
  
  
  
  
  I used an old cake tin and covered it in two different napkins to create a unique floral arrangement for my kitchen table. Of course now that we'll be dining outside, I'll be bringing my centerpiece with me!

Whimsical Decorative Accents

• Flags
  
  Garden flags are not new, but displaying them from an old clothing hanger might be...it's a simple way to add a little unexpected decor to your gardenscaping.
  
  
  
  
  
  Plus thrift stores and yard sales are full of those flags and everyone has an old hanger hanging around. Cover it with wallpaper to take your design up a notch and you've really got that cottage feel.
  
  
• Curtains In The Windows
  
  Garages, sheds and cabanas are often part of the garden landscape so why not add a little whimsy to those structures with fabric.
  
  
  
  
  
  Curtains on the windows or doors make a huge difference and store bought or DIY is up to you. I used some old fabric to make a darling curtain to cover our garage door window to soften it up in a flash. Plus it hid the mess inside! Bonus!
  
  
• Thrifted Silverware Garden Art
  
  Sometimes art is simply for art's sake and that's exactly what these silverware decorations bring to the garden.
  
  
  
  
  Made from thrifted spoons, they can be used as plant markers or just for show. Whipped up in a jiffy, with embellishments your choice, they can add interest and a bit of playfulness to any yard.
  
  
• Candles, Candles, Candles
  
  Ok, so this one may sound obvious, but there isn't a space inside a home or out that doesn't look better by candlelight.
  
  
  
  
  So I pick up candlesticks whenever I see them at secondhand sales and fill them with battery operated remote tapers. When the sun goes down, they light up all by themselves, helping those fireflies with the sparkle in a safe way.

Well, that's it folks.

Just a few of my favorite ways to create a charming and relaxing outdoor living area for summer.

Oh, and if you need proof that they work...

Shhh...Don't wake the bunny!

Here are a few napping furry friends who popped by to enjoy the tranquility.

My squirrel friend popped by for a little rest in the sunshine...

And what could be more charming than that?

🐰

What's your favorite way to decorate your garden space?

Happy Gardening, Friends!