Nine innovative garden concepts inspired by the 2022 Chelsea Flower Show, featuring pink garden walls and unconventional plant stands - along with a budget-friendly idea for frugal green thumbs.
The Chelsea Flower Show is all about showcasing the finest in garden design, leaving us small-space gardeners scratching our heads wondering how on earth to recreate those stunning ideas in our own modest gardens. No worries though! Here are some budget-friendly, creative ideas that can make your garden bloom just as beautifully as the Chelsea Show:
9 Budget-Friendly Design Ideas from the Chelsea Flower Show
1. Green Tiles on Raised Beds
Remember those sparkling emerald green tiles on the Viriditas' Balcony and Container garden? They're the Medina Moss Green Bejmat tiles from Bert & May! Although a bit pricey, you can find cheaper alternatives online that give the same charming imperfections.
2. Upturned Plant Supports
The willow plant supports on the Garden for the Future garden were unique and functional. You can recreate the funnel-like design to grow sweet peas or runner beans. Just make sure your DIY supports are ergonomic and stylish.
3. Pink Walls
Sarah Price-style peachy and pale pink walls, combined with terracotta and peachy-toned paving, were trending this year. A beautiful shade of pale pink or peach can work wonders under grey British skies--try Pink Ground by Farrow & Ball.
4. Log Wall
The log wall from the SongBird Survival garden was a lovely touch for a habitat for various garden visitors, from insects to mammals. Consider fitting a compact version into your garden as it provides both beauty and a welcoming environment for wildlife.
5. 'Rusting'
Corten steel was popular this year, but you can achieve a similar rust-like effect with budget-friendly paints, sprays, or even a DIY activator formula.
6. Dead Hedge
The dead hedge in the Birdhouse of the SongBird Survival Garden provided a great habitat for wildlife and looked beautiful too. Use your old seedheads after the summer instead of putting them in the compost bin!
7. Copper Stake Lighting
A subtle copper stake light can add a touch of elegance to your garden. The Luxr Modux One Wayfinder Pole Light might be a bit pricey, but you can find cheaper solar versions online.
8. Bench with Bird Bath
A combined bench and bird bath is a lovely addition to any space. Create one yourself using pieces of lumpstone or paving.
9. Seedhead Bird Feeder
Don't throw out your beautiful sunflower seedheads at the end of the summer! Use them to make an eye-catching bird feeder.
Browse through our Chelsea Flower Show page for all our inspiring coverage on how to create your ideal small garden.
- By incorporating Medina Moss Green Bejmat tiles, similar to the ones used in the Balcony and Container garden at the Chelsea Flower Show, you can add a charming touch to your raised garden beds, even if you find the original tiles pricey.
- Recreate the unique functionality of the willow plant supports from the Garden for the Future garden by designing your own funnel-like supports for sweet peas or runner beans, ensuring they're ergonomic and stylish.
- Embrace the trend of pale pink or peach walls, like those seen in Sarah Price's garden design this year, by painting your outdoor walls with Pink Ground by Farrow & Ball to brighten up grey British skies.
- A compact log wall, like the one in the SongBird Survival garden, can serve as both a beautiful addition to your garden and a welcoming environment for wildlife.
- Achieve a rust-like effect on budget, by using paints, sprays, or DIY activator formulas that mimic the appearance of corten steel, as seen in various gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show.
- Instead of composting your sunflower seed heads at the end of summer, use them to create an eye-catching bird feeder, following the idea of the dead hedge in the Birdhouse of the SongBird Survival Garden.
- To add a touch of elegance to your garden, consider using solar-powered versions of lights like the Luxr Modux One Wayfinder Pole Light, which can be found at a more affordable price online.
- By combining a bench and bird bath, you can create a lovely addition to any space in your garden, using pieces of lumpstone or paving.
- Browse through home-and-garden resources for inspiration on how to create your small garden, as showcased at the Chelsea Flower Show, and work towards transforming your outdoor living space.
