Garden Wall Ideas To Elevate Your Outdoor Space

Decorating a garden wall can transform an outdoor space into a beautiful, inviting area.

Whether your outdoor area is large or small, think of the wall space as an extended decorating opportunity to stamp your personality and add your style. Here are some ideas to turn walls into vertical outdoor features that act as the backdrop to your garden seating or outdoor dining area. 

Vertical Gardens

Climbers and wall shrubs are a brilliant way to liven up dull walls, fences, obelisks and supports throughout the garden, especially when planting space is limited. There are many different types to suit all locations, and they provide not only seasonal interest throughout the year, but shelter and food for wildlife too.

Plants can be large and vigorous such as wisteria or rambling roses, or consider neat and compact climbers such as clematis or honeysuckle for smaller spaces - some are evergreen retaining their foliage all year, while others are deciduous and lose their leaves over winter. Select a climber accordingly depending on the wall space you have available and the look you want to achieve.

Functional Decor

Wall-mounted planters and shelves are a great way to showcase plants and enhance a blank surface, or break up a partition while injecting personality. Plus, this clever way of displaying your plants means you can pack your space with even more air-purifying goodness. 

With options to suit every style, from decorative, rustic metal and traditional wrought iron wall plaques to ceramic wall mounted plant pots - no matter which one you choose, it is sure to add personality and a touch of elegance to your wall space.  

Wildlife Friendly Additions

Nature-inspired additions to garden walls can create a harmonious and tranquil outdoor space. Attach decorative birdhouses or feeding tables to attract garden birds and add a charming, rustic touch. Encourage pollinators and insects by adding an insect hotel to support beneficial insects like bees, butterflies and ladybirds. Adding elements such as these will create a garden wall that not only enhances the aesthetics of your outdoor space, but also fosters a deeper connection with nature.

Decorative Accents

Garden mirrors will enhance an outdoor area reflecting light and creating the illusion of more space. Choose from shuttered window style mirrors and elegant arched garden mirrors, or make a design statement with a bold gothic garden mirror or a few small decorative mirrors to break up an area of wall.

Hanging a mirror is a clever visual trick that can help to make a short garden feel a bit longer. Position your mirror strategically, so that it reflects foliage rather than brickwork or unsightly drain pipes, and it will help create the illusion that the garden stretches further than it actually does.

Creative Elements

Elevate planting to the next level with a curated assortment of different planters such as wall-hung vintage troughs and agricultural iron baskets arranged at staggered heights to create a 'gallery wall' style feature.

Repurposed items such as old window frames, old terracotta roof tiles, vintage shutters or doors are also fantastic decorative elements to add character and personality, especially when nestled amongst foliage to create a whimsical charm. 

Seasonal Decor

Seasonal garden decor not only enhances the beauty of your outdoor space but also allows you to celebrate the changing moods of the year. From the early blooms of spring to the cozy ambiance of autumn, there’s always an opportunity to refresh your garden’s look.

Make the most of winter's early dusk by by creating some twilight enchantment with illuminated garlands threaded through foliage along a wall. Add a whimsical glow with wall hung lanterns to extend summer evenings or add a decorative metal flower wreath in spring. Autumn brings all the richness of coloured foliage and the perfect opportunity to create a home made wreath. If you have the wall space, go big on scale intertwining windfall branches and foraged hedgerow foliage and berries for a show stopping seasonal piece of wall art with wow factor!

Water Features

Wall-mounted water features can add a serene and elegant touch to your garden or outdoor space. At Henderson's we source preloved garden water features and fountains, often made from natural stone or fibrecrete. These pieces often feature traditional designs such as lions heads, urns, or classical motifs - the naturally weathered, rustic stone integrated into a garden surrounded by lush greenery creating a natural oasis. Choose a location where the water feature will be a focal point, such as near a seating area or along a garden path where its soothing sound is audible.