It’s that time of the year when we start to think about warmer months ahead. Planning your garden is top of the agenda for some, and the rise in popularity of using reclaimed garden items as a feature means that trips to the local reclamation yard become part of your weekend. Reclaimed garden ornaments can add a wonderful touch to your outside space, whether it’s big or small; rural or urban.
More and more people are turning to reclaimed garden items to add a unique twist to their gardens, as they continue to look for innovative ways to let their personality shine through. So, if you’re interested in giving your garden a much needed makeover, or simply add a few points of interest, read on for a few pointers to get you started.
Are Reclaimed Garden Ornaments For Everyone?
Houses, gardens, and the gardeners that tend to them are all unique in their own way. You might prefer a minimalist garden, a vegetable growers paradise or a quintessentially British cottage garden. Reclaimed garden items can be put to use in every type of garden design. However, the typical country garden provides a particularly favourable setting for the display of unique reclaimed garden ornaments.
What Exactly Are Reclaimed Garden Items?
Reclaimed (or salvaged) garden items can include anything from benches, urns, gates, planters and much more. They can be functional, ornamental, or both. These items add character and are given a new lease of life in both classic and modern country garden settings.
Are Reclaimed Garden Items Expensive?
It really depends. Prices can vary drastically from item to item. Age, condition and popularity can dictate the price. Reclaimed garden items can be a good investment, with many of them increasing in value over time. Take good care of them and you could be sitting on a tidy sum in the future.
Having said that, there’s an abundance of reclaimed garden ornaments that can be snapped up at a bargain price. Visit a reclamation yard and see what gems you can unearth.
Does Everything Need to Match?
Not at all. Mix and match old with new. Create interest with focal points of reclaimed items and ornaments, interspersed with some modern, functional furniture so you can sit and admire your work. Much of the reclaimed furniture has its roots in nature, so it will sit seamlessly with the rest of the garden and you’ll be creating a totally unique space.
Where Do I Start?
Work from the ground up. Start with your garden floor plan. When you’ve established the layout of your garden you can enjoy adding the finishing touches. There are many different options when it comes to the paths and patios. Use cobblestones to carve out a winding pathway through your garden, or go for oversized flagstones for a rustic patio. You could even build small walled areas using reclaimed brick and stone, and top it off with some salvaged cap stones.
Establish zones and divide your garden into sections using paving bricks, edgers and railway sleepers. Create a vegetable patch, rose garden and dining space with each area separated by beautiful reclaimed stones and slabs.
What Next?
Once you’ve established your garden layout you can plan the best spots to display more ornamental pieces. Reclaimed garden ornaments come in endless shapes and sizes, ideal for all gardens, but particularly attractive in cottage garden settings.
There are no rules when it comes to creating your dream cottage garden, but if you would welcome a bit of inspiration you might want to check out some garden plans online.
Here are a few suggestions of popular reclaimed garden items that will help create your unique space:
Bird Baths
The perfect addition to any garden. Not only do they look beautiful, they attract wildlife to the area too. They provide a welcome space for birds, all year round, giving you even more to observe everytime you look out of the window.
Statues and ornaments
in various shapes and sizes can be used to create interest and a focal point. They are also an interesting way to suggest a walkway through the garden.
Urns and planters
can look really effective on their own. However, you can bring them to life throughout the seasons with different colours and textures, giving you something to admire whatever the time of year.
Water Features
can be soothing additions to any size garden. If you’re lucky enough to have the space you could source a Georgian style fountain to take centre stage. Alternatively, if you have more limited space to work with you could opt for stone waterfall features and sandstone staddle stones to create a calming feature.
Lamp Posts
lanterns and post boxes might not seem cottage garden friendly, but remember you’re creating an atmosphere, and these vintage items are an ideal way to reflect a bygone era.
Don’t forget the furniture
You may prefer to invest in more modern furniture, built for style and comfort. That’s perfectly acceptable and it won’t take anything away from the theme you’re looking to create. However, stone benches and wrought iron chairs do look impressive as part of a cottage garden. Use them for occasional pieces of furniture if you prefer.
Whether you choose to fully embrace the timeless era of the cottage garden, or you prefer a slight nod to the past, there are plenty of ways to do it. Get inspiration online, in magazines or from a steady walk through a pretty village. You can take ideas from everywhere, before visiting a reclamation yard to see what’s on offer. Their stock will change on a weekly basis, so you might have to be quick to get the best deals.
Whatever your budget, big or small, you will be able to find something that works for you. Trust your instincts and go with items you will get some use from, or simply like the look of. There’s no right or wrong way to add reclaimed items to your garden, so enjoy the process before you sit back to admire your work.