What if stepping into your garden could feel as if you were entering a fantastical other world? By embracing your inner child and being more playful with landscaping, you can achieve just this. From stepping stone paths to treehouses, there are all kinds of ways to turn a garden into a whimsical wonderland. Below are 10 enchanting features to consider.
A stepping stone path
Carve out pathways through your garden using stepping stone slabs instead of paving or gravel. These could be used to break up large lawns or you could create winding paths through plant beds that feel like magic forest trails.
A swing seat
When looking into playful seating options, consider a swing seat. These unique pieces of outdoor furniture can be covered in snug cushions and blankets, making them cosy places for curling up with a book.
Sculpted hedges
Sculpted hedges can serve as living pieces of art in your garden. While topiary (hedge sculpting) does take some practice, it can be a fun skill to learn. Start with simple square hedges, and then branch out into other shapes.
A fountain
Fountains are beautiful eye-catching water features that can be added to ponds for water aeration (important if you have fish) or be added as standalone sculptures. There are all kinds of styles of fountain that you can explore from magnificent tiered fountains to cheeky statues.
A secret garden tunnel
A tunnel made from steel or wooden trellis arches could serve as the perfect entrance into your garden wonderland. Use this tunnel to support climbing plants such as roses or honeysuckle. You could even decorate it with fairy lights to give it a truly magical look.
Gnomes
It was once believed that adding gnomes to your garden could bring good luck. These whimsical characters can make your outdoor space feel like a fairytale world and you can have fun collecting different types of gnomes and positioning them in different places.
A waterfall
Like a fountain, a waterfall could be used to help circulate water in your pond as well adding a calming ambiance. You may even be able to build natural waterfalls to help with drainage in sloped gardens, directing water runoff from patios down some rocks and into a pond or French drain.
Birdhouse
Invite local wildlife into your garden by setting up birdhouses. These could be freestanding structures or they could be hung on trees. You can even build your own birdhouse and paint it in vibrant colors to make it an artistic feature.
Mushroom solar lights
Solar lights can come in all kinds of unique and imaginative designs. Mushroom-shaped solar lights are a fun option for creating a fairytale-like feel – they can pair particularly well with gnomes.
Treehouse
Finally, you could consider building a treehouse if you have kids and a suitable tree in your garden. Treehouses are the ultimate den for kids. If you don’t feel comfortable designing and building a treehouse yourself, consider looking into specialist carpenters. It’s best to not build treehouses too high up as to keep them safe for you little ones.
