Every traditional cottage garden has an area for growing vegetables. For a true cottage garden feel, try growing produce in amongst the flowers in whatever space you have. You can even grow them in pots.

If you're a keen gardener you might want to consider a greenhouse too. A cottage garden greenhouse provides the perfect opportunity to get a head start on growing your own edibles, now a big post-pandemic trend. "It's decades since we've seen such an interest in growing your own and becoming more self-sufficient," says Tom Barry, CEO of Hartley Botanic. 

Adding a greenhouse to your backyard will not only lend itself to cottage garden design ideas but it will also enable you to grow a greater variety of produce, as it lengthens your growing year.

"When considering how a cottage garden layout should be, aim to incorporate loose natural curves as opposed to strong geometric lines," says Penelope Walker of LLevelo Garden Design. "Cottage gardens are innately romantic, so gently flowing pathways winding between the planting will contribute to a 'conceal and reveal' type layout and result in a garden that doesn’t give all its secrets away at once."

To get the look in your own garden, think about introducing a meandering path or curvy flower beds to break up rectangular shapes. Another idea is adding a curved bench to a seating area, while introducing stepping stone paths and rose archways will give the impression there is more garden to discover. 

Tap into traditional cottage garden ideas with a classic, white wooden picket fence. The design has long been a favorite as it offers an attractive option for marking a boundary without blocking the view. Add one to your backyard as an easy way to get the cottage garden look.

Also known as palisade fencing, the latest developments in modern materials mean that you can now achieve the wooden fence look without the upkeep. Look for vinyl (PVC resin) or wood-plastic composite picket fence panels in white that are durable and low maintenance as you don't have to paint them.

Once your fence is installed, all you need to do is plant a mass of blooms like hollyhocks and sweet peas that will peek over and through the slats to get the cottage garden look to perfection.

Extend your cottage garden ideas to the front of the house by incorporating elements of planting around your front porch. This will create a lovely welcome every time you return home.

Try framing doors and windows, both front and back, with pretty collections of flowers and foliage in colors that match the exterior of your house. Choose classics like lupins and cornflowers and plant them in loose drifts to get a look like this one.

You could also add a pair of planters with lavender to give your entrance the standout factor, or choose something rustic looking like reclaimed chimney pots to plant flowers in. Check out reclaim yards or eBay for vintage finds.

Plants that spill over paths are key to creating a relaxed cottage garden feel, introducing softness and movement to blur boundaries. "Try lining paths with Alchemilla Mollis (Lady's Mantle)," suggests Sarah. "It's a pretty little plant with lacy lime-green summer flowers and fan-shaped leaves that's invaluable as part of your cottage garden planting."

Dainty daisies that self-seed into all the nooks and crannies along with herbs like creeping thyme are also traditionally found bordering paths in cottage gardens. It's an easy look to achieve as you buy one plant and then watch as it spreads around. Erignon 'Profusion' (Mexican fleabane) is perfect for this. "It has masses of daisy-like flowers with a hint of pink,' says Sarah. 'It's also perfect for softening steps with curtains of daisies."

Create a sociable space, an outdoor living room idea of sorts, for alfresco lunches as part of your cottage garden ideas. Choosing a large, solid wood dining table is a great way to create a focal point in your garden. Invest in the best outdoor furniture with a quality design that will last for years and age well, rather than cheaper alternatives. 

"For smaller spaces, it’s important to choose furniture that blends with the surroundings," says Tim Pennell of Bramblecrest. "If you have a period property, the traditional look of outdoor rattan is a good choice. Alternatively, a teak garden bench will always lure you outside, whatever the season." 

Take care of your rattan furniture by keeping the material clean, protecting it from the sun, and investing in a cover so it will last for years.

Wafts of scent turn your garden into a magical place to spend time as well as attract butterflies and bees. The scent of plants like lavender is a timeless feature of cottage gardens. Plant lavender bushes near a path so you can brush your fingers over the scented flowers as you pass by.. 

The fragrance from roses scrambling over an arbor will envelop you as you sit underneath, while a twiggy wigwam of sweet peas drenching the air with their old-fashioned scent is a classic. Introducing sensory experiences like this will add to the feeling that you've created a country retreat. Other cottage garden favorites for packing scent into borders include frilly-petalled garden pinks. 

Fancy weekend paint project? Why not give an existing shed a makeover that works the cottage garden look. Create a standout shed that doesn’t take away from the natural beauty of its environment but does create a statement in the garden. 

Just as sage green is taking over interior paint color trends this year, it seems shades of green are a key color for gardens right now too. "Greens, stony grays, and oak tones are all great color options for cottage gardens," explains Jimmy Englezos, a DIY expert at Ronseal. "These shades fit naturally with their environment, so blend in well into any country garden setting." 

It's a satisfyingly budget friendly option too, as it's amazing how a fresh coat of paint can transform a tired shed. Just remember to prep well first with plenty of sanding to make sure the wood is ready for its paint makeover.