Country roads take me home! The old John Denver song says it all. Maybe that’s why the country cottage garden has never gone out of style. With it’s rustic and often weathered characteristics, it’s a natural for farm and woodland settings. But even if you live in the suburbs, you can still bring the casual, down home feel of a country garden into your backyard with these fun ideas.
Designing the Country Cottage Garden
When was the last time you took a drive out in the country? What do you remember seeing the most? Was it a faded wood or split rail fence? A long row of mailboxes leaning slightly to the right? A scarecrow in the field?
It’s that comfortable, ‘just-like-it-belongs-there’ look that defines this garden decor theme. To achieve a similar ambiance does require some thought and planning on your part. Consider where decor items naturally fit in your yard and garden for the greatest impact. Remember, LESS is more. Your decor should compliment your yard or flowerbed arrangements, not compete with them.
And rather than rush out to your local pickers/antique marketplace for expensive accent pieces, consider the following ideas that you can DIY instead. The best country-cottage garden decor comes right out of your imagination!
DIY ideas that make the scene
Wood is Good.
Out in the country, folks simply used what was readily at hand. After clearing the home site, logs and branches were used to make fences for livestock or mark a boundary line. Even a short section of fence will make an impression in your yard or garden.
Materials are easy to come by. Check your local Facebook Marketplace /Buy-Sell-Trade. Trees blow down in the wind. Someone is always clearing a lot. Often times, the homeowner will give you the wood for free if you come cut it up yourself.
The logs should rest on a concrete paver or gravel pad to slow decay. But a fence like this will last for long time.
The twisted limbs of willow trees create a more whimsical appearance. This homeowner further embellished her fence with bark pieces and baskets of flowers.
The weathered barn
If you already have a storage shed or garden shed, a coat of paint will give it a brand new character to fit your country cottage theme. Use a natural wood color in light or dark tones. Even vinyl and resin sheds can be re-painted with the proper stuff.
But don’t stop there! Turn the ordinary into extraordinary by adding a few accent pieces as well to get “the look”. Need more inspiration? SEE “How to pretty up a storage shed”.
Old tools
Old tools are a natural for the country cottage garden. Skip the expensive antique or flea market and look for old tools at garage sales instead. Small garden tools make great decor pieces to hang up on the side of the shed on on the fence.
A grouping of 3-4 larger tools like a rake or a hoe, make a charming vignette simply leaning up against an old ladder or against the side of a shed.
And speaking of tools, no country cottage garden is complete without a wheelbarrow of sunshine. Look for an old one on Facebook Marketplace or Craig’s List and fill it with your favorite flowers. Here’s how to make one yourself: Wheelbarrow Planter.
Water feature
A water feature adds a touch of nature to any garden. But elaborate ponds and waterfalls…as wonderful as they are…come with huge maintenance issues to keep them functioning properly. If you’re not up to that, a small galvanized stock tank might be the solution. It’s certainly easier to care for.
Add a solar fountain to attract birds and fill the air with the refreshing sound of gurgling water.
Garden Scarecrow
Unlike traditional straw scarecrows associated with harvest time, a garden scarecrow has more human-like features. That means it can be a man or a woman, wear cowboy boots, or sport wings like a fairy. It can even help you water the flowers!
My favorite scarecrow design comes from the blog “Our Fairfield Home and Garden”. It’s a simple structure made from scrap wood. They did a great job providing a diagram and complete list of materials. Learn how to make it here: Woodscrap Scarecrow.
Save a spot for small garden decor
Finally, think about smaller pieces of yard art that might fit into your scene. This is the one place to ‘fill in the gaps’ with items from the garden center or thrift store.
Many home decor items can double as garden decor: Metal kitchen trivets, votive candle holders in the shapes of birds or frogs. With spray paint to the rescue, a plain brass butterfly came to life in my garden.
Small critters are fun to tuck away just about any place you can find. Maybe that bird figurine is sitting atop a fence post. How about a frog next to log in the flower beds? You’ll not only enjoy encountering them as you go about your garden chores, but they’re also great for children to “discover”. Just as they would out on the farm.
About the writer
Kristen loves anything that makes a garden a more inviting and inspiring place to spend time. She is known for her whimsical dish flowers, totems and other pieces made from repurposed materials. If ya have a moment, drop by my studio and say hello!
