25 Best Large Garden Ideas to Spruce up a Spacious Plot
The possibilities are endless: pathways, pergolas, fire pits, and more!
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Having a large outdoor space opens up a world of possibilities to create a breathtaking gardening area that is both functional and visually appealing. With plenty of room to experiment, you can transform your garden into a personalized sanctuary that blends natural beauty, creativity, and practicality—and these large garden ideas can help! The key to maximizing the potential of a large garden lies in thoughtful design choices that cater to your needs and style. From incorporating pathways that provide structure and flow to adding raised beds for organized planting, each feature contributes to a cohesive environment.
Just take a look at all the backyard design suggestions here to really spruce up a spacious plot. Start by deciding if you want to create a vegetable garden, flower garden, herb garden, or all of the above! If you have the room, you can separate a variety of gardens using elements like sculpted shrubs, flowering trees, or even stairs. You can also choose a focal feature such as a gazebo, trellis, greenhouse, or reflection pool.
Then, have fun with even more details! Lush living walls make efficient use of vertical space while a seating area will allow you to really enjoy your garden (in solitude or with a social gathering). Enhance the ambiance further with strategic lighting and a cozy fire pit. From practical zones for growing vegetables or flowers to appealing installations, every element can combine to elevate your garden into your dream exterior. The possibilities are endless!
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Use Raised Beds
Take a cue from Ree Drummond and utilize raised beds in your garden. They offer a variety of benefits, including improved drainage, better soil quality, and easier access for planting and harvesting. They can also provide defined planting areas, reducing weed growth and adding a polished, organized look to expansive garden layouts. Customize them in your desired size, shape, and material.
Build a Water Feature
Transform your garden into a tranquil oasis with the addition of a water feature. Whether it's a cascading waterfall, a serene koi pond, or a bubbling fountain, water elements can act as a focal point while enhancing the overall ambiance of any given area.
Put in Pathways
Pretty pathways are great for so many things! To start, they'll provide practicality by guiding foot traffic through expansive spaces. Additionally, pathways help connect different garden zones, such as patios, flower beds, or vegetable plots. Pick between natural stone, gravel, or other materials, then enhance them with bordering plants or landscape lighting.
Create Levels
Adding tiers brings dimension and depth to your outdoor space, transforming a flat landscape into distinct zones for dining, lounging, or showcasing plants. Use stairs to provide seamless flow between these areas.
Decorate with Statues
From classical marble figures to modern abstract designs, statues can complement a variety of garden styles to create visual interest and add character to your space. Strategically placed, you'll invite visitors to pause and admire your handiwork.
Construct a Green House
A greenhouse is the ultimate addition for gardening enthusiasts to blend practical agriculture with aesthetic appeal. The controlled environment will give you the perfect growing conditions year-round and protect your plants from the elements. Choose from traditional glass structures for timeless charm or modern polycarbonate designs for durability and insulation.
Gated Garden
A gated garden not only creates a sense of privacy while you're working but also defines and enhances your outdoor space. Pick a style to match your vision, such as a grand wrought-iron gate or a rustic wooden gate, then separate specific areas like vegetable plots or flower beds. You'll also enjoy that it can keep pets and wildlife out.
Add a Reflecting Pool
This sleek, shallow water feature creates stunning mirrored images of your garden’s surroundings, from lush greenery to striking sculptures, adding depth and allure to any space. Use it to anchor a quiet seating area or serve as a captivating centerpiece. Either way, it'll add to the peaceful atmosphere.
Shrub Sectioning
Define and enhance your large garden’s layout with the clever use of shrubs for natural sectioning. Shrub sections can create distinct zones which combine beauty and functionality. Use sculpted hedges for a chic look or left natural for a wilder charm. You can also pick between evergreen varieties for year-round structure, or mix in flowering shrubs for bursts of seasonal color.
Set Up Seating
Make your garden even more inviting with a comfy seating area! A mix of cozy benches, chic dining sets, or laid-back lounge chairs will make your outdoor space one for relaxation, entertaining, or simply enjoying the beauty of your work.
Use a Gardening Station
Every gardener deserves their own workspace! With a dedicated gardening station, you'll have a practical and stylish area for potting plants, organizing tools, preparing seeds, and so much more—making your gardening experience more efficient and enjoyable.
Prairie Planting
How pretty is this? A prairie-inspired garden mimics wild meadows, featuring a mix of ornamental grasses, native wildflowers, and hardy perennials. Ideal for sunny and open spaces, it's so charming, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly, providing habitats for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Modern Landscaping
A modern landscaping approach emphasizes clean lines, minimalism, and a harmonious blend of natural elements with contemporary materials. Incorporate features like geometric pathways and lawns, polished concrete planters, and contemporary furniture pieces to create a sophisticated and cohesive look.
Herb Garden
Get ready to bring fresh flavors and delightful aromas to your garden when you plant fragrant herbs like basil, thyme, mint, lavender, and rosemary. An herb garden is easy to customize, whether you want a formal culinary patch in tidy rows and pots or a vibrant mixed display of edible plants and flowers in raised beds. Not only do herbs thrive in various conditions, but they also attract beneficial pollinators.
Assemble a Gazebo
Serving as a delightful centerpiece to your space, a gazebo or pergola will create a sheltered area for relaxing, dining, or entertaining. Choose a design which blends seamlessly with your landscaping to complement any aesthetic. Upgrade it further with climbing plants, ambient lighting, furniture, or curtains.
Vegetable Garden
If you have the room, why not dedicate a space to homegrown produce? Choose raised beds, orderly rows, or organic freeform layouts to suit your style and maximize space. Along with all that fresh, homegrown food, you'll also add plenty of vibrancy to your yard with rows of colorful veggies and pollinators. Consider a mix of leafy greens, root vegetables, and seasonal crops for variety.
Build an Outdoor Kitchen Area
For the ultimate entertaining space, consider building an outdoor kitchen. Equip it with essentials like a grill, countertops, a sink, and even a mini-fridge to create a fully operational cooking space. You can even add to the area with cozy seating, ambient lighting, and lush greenery to make it just the place for hosting gatherings or enjoying alfresco dining.
Cottage Garden
Bring storybook charm to your home with a cottage garden overflowing with vibrant flowers such as roses, foxgloves, and hollyhocks, alongside herbs and edible plants for added whimsy and functionality. Other elements, such as winding pathways or a trellis, can enhance the enchantment.
Construct a Courtyard
To introduce a touch of timeless elegance in your large garden, just create a courtyard! You can really get creative, too. Design it with stone or brick paving, lush greenery, or focal points like fountains, sculptures, and seating. Whether enclosed by hedges, walls, or trellises, a courtyard will transform part of your garden into a serene retreat.
Add a Fire Pit
A fire pit serves as an impressive focal point and gathering space, adding warmth and ambiance wherever you build it. Whether you opt for a traditional stone design, a sleek metal bowl, or a gas-powered option, just surround it with comfortable seating to create an inviting outdoor lounge that encourages year-round enjoyment of your garden.
Macie Reynolds is the assistant editor of E-Commerce and SEO for The Pioneer Woman.
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