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There’s nothing quite as dreamy as the layered, lived-in cottage gardens of the English countryside. If you love this look—and perhaps want to channel your inner Beatrix Potter this summer—but aren’t quite sure how to transform your builder-grade backyard into the ultimate cottage-style escape, then you’ve come to the right place. Below, I’m sharing eight simple ways to transform your patio into the cottage garden retreat you’ve always wanted.
Plant a Climbing Rose
Okay, so technically Peggy Martin roses are “ramblers,” not climbers, but the sentiment still stands! Flowering climbing vines offer a quintessential charm that makes them an absolute must for anyone wishing to transform their patio into a whimsical escape.
RELATED: A Foolproof Guide to Growing Peggy Martin Roses
Pretty Up Your Pot Display
There’s something so darling about a display of weathered, moss-covered terra-cotta pots. If your patio doubles as your gardening station, transform your storage with stacks of terra-cotta pots that double as shelving. All you need for this simple DIY is aged pots and wide planks of wood.
RELATED: 5 Garden Antiques That Are in Especially High Demand This Spring
Rely on Woven Furniture
Woven furniture, preferably wicker, will warm up your patio instantly. Pick pieces with soft, curved silhouettes and fanciful detailing for a true cottage look. Thrift chairs and sofas and paint them in shades such as creamy white, blue, or sage green to give your outdoor setting a nostalgic feel.
Layer on Block Prints
Block-print fabrics are core to cottage style, so be sure to dot them throughout your patio with abandon through cushions, pillows, table linens, and even umbrellas and awnings. Accent block-print patterns with gingham details and lace accents to bring your patio a true grandma-chic look.
RELATED: Lace Is Back—Yes, Even Grandma’s Doilies Are Chic Again
Top Your Tables with Potted Plants
Blending function and fun is a hallmark of cottage living, so ensure your table decor does double duty. A mix of herbs and white geraniums does the trick on this Alabama patio.
RELATED: See More of This Pretty Outdoor Makeover at a 111-Year-Old Birmingham Bungalow
Swap Pavers for Pea Gravel
Nothing says English garden quite like the presence of pea gravel, so skip the pavers and rely totally on the warm tones of pea gravel to give your garden a classically quaint feel. If you need added stability underfoot, lay simple pavers in a checkerboard pattern and fill the gaps with pea gravel.
RELATED: See More of This Dreamy California Cottage Garden
Trot Out the Topiaries
Topiaries are popular choices for flanking front doors, but dotted around the back patio—or even just one placed strategically—they go a long way in bringing a twee, cottage feel.
RELATED: The Best Faux (Yes, Faux!) Boxwood Topiaries for an Easy Porch or Patio Upgrade
Extend the Look with Raised Beds
While gardens-gone-wild are a key part of cottagecore, not everyone is able to transform their backyard into the meadow of their dreams, and cottage living is all about maximizing the space you have. Enter: raised beds! Plant vegetables and wildflowers within view of your patio to give the appearance of a winding, wild garden. Top the beds with wooden finials for added charm and consider lining surrounding flower beds with woven willow edging to push your space into true storybook territory.
RELATED: Easy Raised Garden Bed Ideas You Can DIY This Weekend
