Decorating Garden Walls - David Domoney

2 August 2024

decorating garden Walls WITH David Domoney

You have landscaped your garden, planted the beds, and arranged the patio furniture. Your garden looks 'good,' but what would it take to make it look 'stunning'? Let me suggest a few simple eye-level embellishments that will catch the attention and fascinate all who visit.

I'm going to start with garden walling. Walls add the third dimension of height to a garden; they can mark boundaries, create privacy, but they can also be garden 'art.' A focal point that draws the eyes or a 'canvas of artistic features' certain to impress visitors. Whilst building a stylish natural stone or antique brick wall can be expensive, constructing one with concrete breeze blocks is a simple and cost-effective task. Then, simply clad the wall with a beautiful natural stone or porcelain cladding to achieve the desired finish. Cladding an existing wall is also a straightforward and relatively inexpensive project.

Let's explore how we can create dynamic and attractive garden walls effortlessly using Pavestone’s original walling products. Click on the images throughout my blog for inspiration and to see Pavestone landscaping products installed, in real homeowners' gardens.

 

Adding Garden Walls

One of the first steps you may need to take is to build a wall. Establishing privacy, designated zones, or to elevate and establish raised garden beds, adding a full height or half height wall is a great choice. Not only do they provide a durable and secure method of dividing the garden, but they also offer structure and a fantastic framework for incorporating additional garden features.

 

Get cladding

Wall cladding is the perfect solution for uninspiring walls, or simply built constructions that would benefit from embellishment. And Pavestone has a vast range of styles and shades to suit your preferences for your garden. Whether it is the sleek and effortless Minerali cladding, in the cooler shade of Zinco, the warm-white atmosphere created by the shade Artico, or the more textured appearance of the Rock Stack cladding in either black, white, rust or cream, there is a style for every garden.

 

Mix, Match, and Move Around

Pavestone’s innovative 'Moodul' modular building blocks offer a versatile, fast and contemporary garden design solution that can be adapted over time.

 

Available in a luxurious and sophisticated shade of black, or a lighter, textured grey, Pavestone’s Moodul walling makes adding features to your wall effortless. Imagine installing decorative features such as lights, benches, shelves with hooks to install small planters directly to the wall.
Due to its modular design, it is created to be easily changeable, without needing any adhesive for construction under 1 metre in height and as such they are ideal for constructing raised beds, fire pits and bench seating. Later, should you change your mind, or just want to move them, they can be disassembled and reassembled in another location.

 

Mirrors on garden walls

Mirrors are not just tools for checking our reflections; they serve a highly functional purpose in any space. Their reflective properties allow them to expand the perceived size of an area, making them perfect for smaller gardens. By strategically placing mirrors to reflect lush foliage, you can enhance the illusion of a larger, more verdant space. Moreover, mirrors can significantly improve garden lighting, bringing additional brightness to sheltered courtyard gardens and shaded corners. This clever use of mirrors not only adds a touch of elegance but also maximises the light and space in your outdoor haven.

 

Light Reflection

Choose mirrors which work with your garden style. For example, in modern spaces, follow the example of your paving. Straight lines complement one another, so consider larger rectangular or square-shaped mirrors, with darker, powder-coated steel options being popular.

 

ILLUSIONS OF EXPANDED SPACE

Consider enhancing the illusion of expanded space with a bay-style mirror, either extending from the floor or positioned at eye level for maximum effect. Alternatively, draw inspiration from your furniture style to create a harmonious look. For instance, if you have rattan-style furniture, complement it with a sunburst, rattan-style mirror that radiates into the space. You might also opt for a design that either boldly stands out or seamlessly blends into your garden wall, depending on your aesthetic preferences. These thoughtful choices will not only amplify the sense of space but also add a touch of elegance and coherence to your garden decor.

 

Garden Wall Art

You may prefer to install some striking wall art in your garden, crafting intricate or bold focal points to captivate and delight. Outdoor artwork can encompass a range of pieces, from delicate metal sculptures to eye-catching paintings or vivid murals.
Reflect your personal style by harmonising the shades with your chosen wall to create a subtle yet elegant attribute, or opt for a daring feature that stands out. Consider coordinating the colours with your planting scheme for a cohesive and visually stunning garden. These artistic elements will transform your outdoor space into a vibrant, expressive haven.

 

Garden Screens

Positioning your artwork on the wall is crucial for maximising its impact. Choose a location that receives a lot of foot traffic or place it opposite a relaxing seating area. This strategic placement ensures that you and your visitors have plenty of opportunities to admire your garden wall art, allowing you to fully embrace and enjoy the space.

 

Plants and Garden Walls

Decorating your garden wall can also involve incorporating elevated plants into the design, bringing a touch of nature to vertical spaces. Build shelving onto your feature walls to provide space for your living décor, displaying decorative containers and garden lanterns.
Or perhaps use some alternative techniques, such as creating your own living wall, or encouraging climbers or creepers to fill the space with verdant foliage.

 

Bring Your Wall To Life

Adding plants to your wall to serve as additional decoration is a great way to incorporate your design into your existing planting scheme. Living walls are a wonderful way to do this, providing the perfect opportunity to grow some vibrant and cheerful annuals to brighten up the space. These living wall kits will typically best serve smaller plants, usually those suited to 1-litre pots, but there is plenty of variety within those parameters.

 

Perhaps a living herb wall is your preferred choice, adding greenery and function. Delicious and fragrant options include Ocimum (Basil), perfect for making homemade pesto or refreshing and aromatic Mentha spicata (Spearmint) to garnish deserts.
 

For some welcome colour, dwarf perennials such as Campanula add a delicate touch, with their star-shaped flowers sure to shine in shades of purple and white. Maybe take the opportunity to get younger members of the family growing with easy-to-grow and safe Tropaeolum minus (Nasturtiums) being perfect for living wall containers. Simply choose a few compact plants in shades that suit your garden’s colour scheme and style, and your living wall will soon look right at home

 

Nature's Wall Art - Climbers

When growing climbers in the garden, try to give them a helping hand. Installing sections of trellis on your wall will give them some extra support, which you can then tie stems and tendrils to, keeping your plants upright. If you have the patience, Wisteria chinensis (Wisteria) is worth the reward. They look particularly romantic and striking once in full flower, their pale lavender blooms draping gracefully down their chosen surface. If you choose to grow Wisteria on your wall, remember to prune them regularly, which will improve its flowering and keep its growth under control. And ensure you can grow them in a sunny position, as shade will reduce their flowering capacity.

 

Plenty of climbing plants are well-suited to shadier areas too. Hedera helix (Ivy) is a wonderful, self-clinging example, which needs no support to thrive on your wall. Their three- or five-lobed leaves have a variety of variegated evergreen options available, some featuring hints of cream or yellow too for an even softer look.

 

 

Adding decorative features to your garden walls transforms the entire space into an engaging and inviting oasis. Whether it's carefully selected mirrors, captivating artwork, or elegant sculptures, these elements bring a unique charm to eye level. Cultivated climbers and lush living walls add a touch of nature’s beauty, ensuring that every corner of your garden is visually appealing. Pavestone’s walling products serve as the perfect canvas to curate your design, allowing you to create a stunning and cohesive outdoor environment that delights and impresses.

 

We have hundreds of stunning videos, depicting beautifully landscaped gardens, which have used Pavestone landscaping and building materials to realise homeowners 'dream gardens'. Set yourself some time to explore these videos and maybe make some plans for your garden makeover?

David Domoney, TV gardener, horticultural expert and Pavestone brand ambassador blogs monthly on the Pavestone website on all things landscaping related. We look forward to seeing you back again next month.

 

 

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