Reclaimed materials, repurposed architectural features, and borders stuffed with higgledy-piggledy plants that grow with abandon – a rustic garden is a term that describes those spaces with an aesthetic that favors a slightly more rugged, natural, and organic (although not in the literal sense) ethos.
Though that's not to say this style is a garden idea that lacks grace and elegance. Rustic doesn't necessarily equal macho. But, striking the balance just right so a garden can feel both natural and rugged, but also pretty, can be quite the task, so I have devised a list of rustic garden ideas you can take inspiration from.
Here are seven rustic garden ideas that offer fodder for the imagination and can work in any space, even small yards.
Rustic garden ideas
I am always visiting gardens across England, from large country piles to impressive small urban spaces. And, if there is one thing I love, it is when a garden feels lived in, and a little rough around the edges.
Using metal in the garden
If you've ever inspected the show gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, you will have noticed a tendency amongst designers in recent years to incorporate exceptionally beautiful metals in garden schemes. Particularly those metals that oxidise, weather and patinate, bringing a warmth and richness to the finish.
Pre-weathered zinc and copper are increasingly popular, as well as bronze and, of course, galvanised steel.
When looking for rustic garden ideas, including metals like these is crucial for adding that slightly crude and unrefined detailing that makes it so appealing.
You can use metal as garden edging ideas, as shown in the picture, but if you prefer borders to spill and overflow out into the pathway, you can incorporate beautiful metals in other places.
Railings, gates, taps, water features, sculpture, artwork, plant supports, raised beds, screens, and large metal planters are all opportunities to play with different metals and their unique patinas that look so dashingly handsome as the years roll by.
Just add water
When I studied garden design, one of the first things I learnt was that there is rarely a garden that would not benefit from a water feature, of some variety.
This naturally remains true for a rustic garden scheme, which aims to embrace natural elements, encourage an abundance of wildlife, and mimic the smells, sounds, sights, and feelings of the natural landscape. Without water, almost none of this is possible.
There are so many water feature ideas, from streams, lakes, or large ponds to water rills, traditional fountains, and water tables.
If space allows, then a natural swimming pool would be the most beautiful addition to a truly rustic style garden scheme.
Implement beautiful lighting
One of the most transformative elements in a garden design is the use of different outdoor lighting ideas.
Too much and it can leave a garden feeling unnatural and visually confusing. Not enough, and a garden come evening time can have no ambiance whatsoever.
If you are more drawn to a rustic garden than a modern garden, then it is even more important that the landscape and artificial light have to be calibrated sensitively, but focusing on an old pot, a crumbling arch, or cascading vines.
Where possible, it is best for lighting to be understated, and always warm, golden light, not icy cold, white light.
Use spotlights to highlight any beautiful features in the garden, like water features, seating areas or any areas of architectural interest.
Trees are malleable enough to be formed and to create architecture, and often look startlingly beautiful lit up at night.
For safety reasons, it is always best to light up pathways and most definitely any steps or slopes. Otherwise, fairy lights, portable table lamps, and candlelight will suffice, adding a gentle, magical glow.
Extend your garden's season by adding a fire pit or fireplace
If you haven't already taken the plunge and bought a fire pit or chiminea for your garden, once you do so, you'll only regret not going for it sooner.
There are so many fire pit ideas, it's quite extraordinary, and they extend the alfresco season from a 2-3 month novelty to a year-round event.
There is something instinctive about gathering around a fire, and it often means late-night chats under the stars can go on for hours, without being interrupted by the chill.
If you have the space and you are often entertaining outdoors, then there is nothing quite as splendid as an outdoor fireplace.
In rustic garden designs, you are aiming to make the garden usable and interactive rather than just ornamental.
Grow climbers around doorways and entryways
As well as comfortable and overflowing borders, it is vital to grow climbing plants to really give the impression that one is enveloped in nature.
Using a variety of heights is just as important as a variety of colors, so don't allow the eye to only be drawn down to flower beds.
Growing one of the best flowering climbers around gates, doorways, and walkways has always been popular, but in a rustic garden scheme, you want to allow climbers to grow rigorously and with abandon, letting them scramble and contort in all manner of directions.
Vines, roses, wisterias, clematis, jasmines, honeysuckles, and all sorts of climbers can be used to great effect, just pick a species that works well for your US hardiness zone.
Implement a relaxed outdoor kitchen
Outdoor kitchens: You either love them or hate them. Some think they're a summer entertaining must-have, others think they're simply too pretentious and can brutalize a garden.
But, an outdoor kitchen needn't be an ostentatious display of luxury, which certainly doesn't sit well with a rustic garden scheme.
There are a plethora of outdoor kitchen ideas worth genuinely considering if you are a regular host to summer soirees.
As goes with the territory of my role, I have seen some of the most exquisite outdoor kitchens imaginable, though oftentimes the ones that inspire the best cooking, conversation, and conviviality are those that are a little more improvised.
Make your greenhouse a destination
Every gardener's dream is to have a greenhouse. A glasshouse or greenhouse is a real sanctum – a place where we can pop on the radio, shut the door, and reach near-transcendent levels of concentration as you prick out seedlings and propagate cuttings.
But a greenhouse can be more than a space to overwinter tender plants and germinate seedlings; there are so many different greenhouse ideas that maximise the potential of this space.
With that in mind, when you're planning a greenhouse, it's well worth thinking of it more as a private refuge than simply a workstation, though of course, practical considerations need to come before aesthetic ones; it should be a space you want to spend time in, all year round.
There's no reason a greenhouse can't thrill just as much as it functions. The underpinning philosophy of a rustic garden scheme is for the garden to be a relaxed, enjoyable place that is always changing, evolving, and offering more than simply decoration.
A greenhouse or a glasshouse can be a place to eat, chat, read, draw, paint, make, socialise and naturally, garden.
It's the perfect place for those rustic decor ideas, think distressed wood, earthy organic colors, and beautiful hand-painted tiles.
Shop rustic garden top picks
Hand-crafted from twigs and vines for natural beauty, this tall trellis makes the perfect support for climbing plants.
This waxed canvas tool bag is perfect for the rustic gardener. Keeping all your gardening essentials within reach without the usual bright, gaudy colors.
This wood-burning chiminea has a rustic finish that complements breezy, rustic, farmhouse outdoor decors.
A staple in any rustic or cottage garden scheme - masses of clambering ivy. Use as a climbing vine or groundcover.
Beautifully detailed for antique appeal, this terracotta urn makes a stately addition to your houseplant collection or an outdoor garden.
Any rustic garden needs to be choc full of flowers found naturally in the wild, in order to achieve that relaxed and natural look that it is not over manicured. This mix has some of the best mix of seeds and can be scattered liberally all over your beds.
Truthfully, there's no end to rustic or even bohemian garden ideas to achieve that laidback look.
Just like interiors, gardens are entirely personal. The best way to achieve aesthetic success if you want to create a rustic garden, is to experiment, relax, and enjoy your garden, and its unique character will unfold.
