Top 15 DIY Garden Decor [Cheap Ideas]

Are you looking to spruce up your garden but unsure where to start? We all want our outdoor spaces to reflect our personality and creativity without breaking the bank. 

I’ve gathered 15 fantastic DIY garden decor ideas that are easy to make and will transform your garden into a beautiful, personalized oasis. 

Let’s dive in and get creative!

DIY Garden Decor 

Transforming your garden with stunning decor can turn an ordinary space into a vibrant oasis.

Start by adding colorful flower pots, intricate statues, and elegant water features to create a welcoming atmosphere.

Solar-powered lights can highlight pathways and create a magical ambiance at night. Don’t forget comfortable seating, such as benches or outdoor cushions, to enhance relaxation.

Thoughtful placement of garden decor not only beautifies the space but also provides a serene retreat for you and your guests.

1. Painted Rock Garden Markers

To create garden markers, gather some smooth river rocks, acrylic paint, paintbrushes, and clear varnish.

Begin by selecting river rocks of different sizes and clean them well, then let them dry. Paint each rock with a base coat of acrylic paint and wait for it to dry.

After the base layer is ready, paint the names or images of the plants you want to mark on the rocks.

Once the paint is completely dry, apply a layer of clear varnish to protect it from the weather. Place the painted rocks in your garden to mark different plants or sections.

2. DIY Bird Feeder

To create a simple bird feeder, you’ll need an empty plastic bottle, wooden spoons, string, scissors, and bird seed.

First, clean and dry the plastic bottle. Cut two small holes on opposite sides for each wooden spoon and insert the spoons to make perches for the birds.

Then, make a few small holes above the spoon perches for the birdseed to come out.

Fill the bottle with birdseed and tie a string around the neck of the bottle. Now, hang the feeder in your garden and watch the birds enjoy.

3. Tin Can Lanterns

To make charming lanterns, clean the tin cans and remove any labels. Fill the cans with water and freeze them to prevent dents while you work.

Then, use a hammer and nail to create patterns or designs by punching holes into the cans. Once the designs are done, let the ice melt and dry the cans.

If you like, you can paint the cans and let them dry. Attach a wire handle to the top of each can. Lastly, place tea light candles inside the cans and hang them around your garden.

4. Pallet Garden Planter

To create your pallet garden, you will need a wooden pallet, sandpaper, paint or wood stain, landscape fabric, a staple gun, potting soil, and some plants or seeds.

Start by sanding the wooden pallet to smooth out any rough edges. Then, if you like, paint or stain the pallet and allow it to dry.

Next, use a staple gun to attach landscape fabric to the back and bottom of the pallet. After that, fill the pallet compartments with potting soil.

Now, plant your chosen plants or seeds in the soil. Once complete, lean the pallet against a wall or fence in your garden.

5. DIY Stepping Stones

To create decorative garden stepping stones, gather quick-setting concrete, water, a mixing container, mold decorative items such as stones, shells, or glass pieces, and cooking spray.

Start by spraying the mold with cooking spray to prevent the concrete from sticking. Then, mix the concrete with water following the package instructions.

Pour the mixed concrete into the mold and smooth the surface. While the concrete is still wet, press your decorative items into it.

Allow the concrete to set as directed on the package. Once it’s dry, carefully remove the stepping stone from the mold and place it in your garden path.

6. Upcycled Tire Planter

To create a unique garden planter, clean the tire thoroughly to remove any dirt. Then, spray paint the tire in the color of your choice and allow it to dry completely.

Once dry, lay the tire flat in your garden or hang it on a wall. Fill the tire with potting soil, and finally, plant your chosen plants or flowers into the soil.

This simple and creative project will add a touch of charm to any garden space.

7. Garden Tool Organizer

To create a handy garden tool organizer, gather a wooden pallet or old board, some hooks, screws, and a drill.

Clean and sand the wooden pallet or board to prepare it. Then, use the drill to attach the hooks to the pallet or board with the screws.

Once you have the hooks in place, mount the pallet or board on a wall or fence in your garden.

Now, hang your garden tools on the hooks so they’re easy to reach whenever you need them.

8. DIY Wind Chimes

To make a wind chime, you’ll need driftwood or a wooden stick, string or fishing line, and assorted metal objects like keys, bells, or washers.

Start by cleaning the driftwood or stick, then drill small holes along its length. Now, tie the metal objects to the strings or fishing lines.

Thread these strings through the holes in the driftwood and tie them securely. Hang your wind chime in a breezy spot in your garden to enjoy the pleasant sounds it creates.

9. Mosaic Garden Table

To create a beautiful mosaic table, collect an old table, mosaic tiles or broken ceramics, tile adhesive, grout, a sponge, and a sealer.

Start by cleaning the surface of the old table thoroughly. Then, arrange the mosaic tiles or broken ceramics in the pattern you like.

Spread tile adhesive on the table surface and press the tiles into it. Once the adhesive is dry, as per the instructions, apply grout over the tiles and press it into the gaps using a sponge.

Afterward, wipe off any excess grout and allow it to dry. Seal the mosaic surface to protect it from the elements.

10. Vertical Herb Garden

To create a vertical herb garden, clean and sand the wooden pallet or ladder. Then, use the screws and drill to attach the small pots or containers to the pallet or ladder.

After that, fill the pots with potting soil and plant the herb plants in the pots. Place your vertical herb garden in a sunny spot in your garden.

11. Recycled Bottle Garden Border

To create a vibrant garden border, you’ll need a few empty glass or plastic bottles and some paint if you want to add color.

To get this clean the bottles thoroughly. If you’re using glass bottles, paint them in your desired colors and let them dry.

Then, dig a shallow trench along the edge of your garden. Place the bottles upside down in the trench, side by side.

Now, fill the trench with soil to keep the bottles in place. This simple procedure will transform your garden’s boundary into a unique and colorful display.

12. DIY Garden Bench

To make a simple wooden bench gather wooden planks, screws, a drill, sandpaper, and paint or wood stain.

Cut the wooden planks to the sizes you want for the seat and legs. Use sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges.

Then, attach the legs to the bench seat using the screws and drill. After assembling the bench, paint or stain it and let it dry completely.

Once dry, place your new bench in the garden to create a cozy seating area.

13. Clay Pot Lighthouse

To create a lighthouse, collect assorted clay pots in various sizes, paint, glue, and a solar light.

Once you have, paint the clay pots in your desired colors and let them dry. Then, stack the pots upside down from largest to smallest, gluing them together as you go.

Now, attach a solar light to the top of the smallest pot. Once completed, place your homemade lighthouse in your garden.

14. Hanging Gutter Planter

To create a hanging gutter planter, cut the gutter to your desired length. Then, attach end caps to both ends.

Drill drainage holes along the bottom for water to escape. Attach the chains or ropes to the ends of the gutter so it can be hung.

Fill the gutter with potting soil and plant your selected plants or flowers in the soil. Hang your new gutter planter in a sunny spot in your garden.

15. Recycled Window Frame Garden Trellis

To create a simple garden trellis, sand the window frame to smooth out any rough edges. If you’d like, you can paint the frame and let it dry.

Then, use the staple gun to attach the chicken wire to the back of the window frame.

Now, set up a new trellis in the garden by leaning it against a wall or supporting it with stakes, and then guide climbing plants to grow up it.