Cottage garden ideas: 22 ways to create a character-filled outdoor space

Our favorite cottage garden ideas are all about creating a beautiful space that’s packed with soft flowers and scent. From overflowing borders filled with cottage garden plants to pretty accessories and seating that adds instant charm, there are plenty of ways to create a cottage-style vibe in your own plot. 

A cottage-style garden is basically a very informal and traditional type of plot, where flowers steal the show. We're talking voluptuous borders full of color and texture, amidst traditional materials such as stone walls and red brick edging.

Often thought of as the opposite of clean-cut, contemporary gardens, cottage gardens are romantic, whimsical, and have more of an 'anything goes' attitude. Traditional cottage gardens would have been full of edible plants and even livestock. You'll still find the odd ornamental vegetable in cottage-style borders nowadays, but less chance of cattle!

And, if you're the owner of a small, urban garden, don't be discouraged. You don’t have to live in a picture-postcard thatched cottage in the English countryside for this type of garden design. The look can work just as well on a smaller scale for a flower-filled city garden. 

Whether you want to create winding pathways, design a pretty seating area, or introduce more cottage garden plants to your space, there's plenty to inspire you in our selection.  

 By Pippa Blenkinsop. Contributions From Holly Crossley