16 Corner Garden Ideas: Creative Ways to Maximize Your Outdoor Space

A corner garden is a great way to make the most of the space in your yard. Whether you have a small yard or a large one, a corner garden can help you maximize your outdoor space.

Corner gardens are also great for adding visual interest to your yard. They can help you create a focal point or draw attention to a specific area. And, of course, they’re great for growing flowers, herbs, and vegetables.

If you’re thinking about starting a corner garden, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll share some of our favorite corner garden ideas to help you get started.

1. Use color to add interest

Color is a great way to add interest to your garden, and it doesn’t always have to come from flowers. This garden uses a variety of green plants to create a lush, full look, and then adds pops of color with a variety of flowers.

The bright pink and purple flowers in the foreground are balanced with the yellow blooms in the background, and the red and green flowers in the middle ground. This creates a harmonious look that’s still visually interesting.

2. Create a low-maintenance corner garden

If you don’t have the time (or the green thumb) to maintain a big garden, you can still create a beautiful garden space in any corner of your yard.

Start by laying down a weed barrier and then covering it with a layer of stone or gravel. This will help keep the area looking neat and tidy, while still allowing for water drainage.

Then, plant a variety of low-maintenance perennials and shrubs in the space. Be sure to choose plants that are well-suited to your climate and the amount of sunlight the area receives.

3. Add a water feature

If you’re looking to create a peaceful oasis in your corner garden, consider adding a water feature. A small pond, fountain, or birdbath can add a sense of tranquility to your space.

This beautiful garden designed by Aloe Designs features a small pond and waterfall, surrounded by colorful flowers and greenery.

4. Create a focal point

A well-placed focal point can make a big impact in a small garden. Here, a garden mirror is used to reflect the surrounding greenery, making the space feel larger and more lush.

This is a great solution if you have a dark, shady corner, as the mirror will help to bounce light around the space. Just be sure to choose a weatherproof mirror designed for outdoor use.

5. Add a garden bench

Incorporating a garden bench is an easy way to add some seating to your garden. Plus, it gives you the perfect excuse to add some color to your space.

This bench is a great way to add a pop of color to this garden. The bright yellow contrasts beautifully with the greenery, and it adds a fun, playful touch to the space.

6. Plant a container garden

Container gardens are a great way to add color and texture to your corner garden, especially if you don’t have a lot of room to work with. You can plant flowers, herbs, or even vegetables in pots, and you can arrange them in a variety of ways to create visual interest.

For example, you might want to place a few large pots on the ground and then stack some smaller ones on a plant stand. Or, you could hang some pots from a trellis or arbor. Get creative with your container garden and have fun experimenting with different arrangements.

7. Grow your own herbs

Not only do corner garden beds give you the perfect opportunity to add in some extra color, but you can also use them as a place to grow your own produce.

Here, a raised corner garden bed is used to grow a variety of herbs. The bed is made from the same stone as the patio, which creates a cohesive look.

8. Use a trellis to add interest

Trellises are great for adding some much-needed height to your garden, and they’re perfect for filling in an empty corner. You can use a trellis to grow climbing plants, flowers, or even vegetables.

If you’re using a trellis to grow vegetables, you’ll want to make sure it’s sturdy enough to support the weight of the plants. You can also use a trellis to create a living wall in your garden by planting multiple climbing plants.

9. Create a Japanese Zen garden

If you’re looking for a way to add some tranquility to your corner garden, try creating a Japanese Zen garden. This garden style is all about creating a peaceful, meditative space using a few simple elements.

Typically, a Japanese Zen garden will feature rocks, gravel, and a few carefully placed plants. You can also add a water feature, like a koi pond, if you have the space. A Japanese Zen garden is a great way to turn an unused corner of your yard into a peaceful oasis.

10. Plant a vertical garden

If you have a small backyard or a deck or patio with limited space, a vertical garden is a great way to add more plants to your landscape without taking up a lot of room.

You can build a vertical garden using a variety of materials, including wood pallets, PVC pipe, and metal frames. If you don’t want to DIY, you can also purchase a ready-made vertical garden planter.

11. Add a fire pit

If you have the room, a fire pit is a great addition to any backyard. It can be a focal point for your garden and a place to gather with friends and family.

Fire pits come in all shapes and sizes, so you can find one that fits your space. If you don’t have a lot of room, a small, portable fire pit is a great option. If you have a larger space, you can build a permanent fire pit with a seating area around it.

12. Create a reading nook

If you’re someone who loves to read, you may have a cozy reading nook inside your home. But what about a reading nook outside? This garden corner is the perfect spot to relax with a good book.

The swing is a fun alternative to a traditional chair, and the hanging plants add a touch of greenery to the space without taking up any floor space.

13. Plant a shade garden

If you’ve got a shady corner of your garden, you can still make the most of it by planting a shade garden.

Shade gardens are made up of plants that thrive in low light conditions, so you can still have a beautiful garden even if you don’t get a lot of sun.

Astilbe, hostas, and ferns are all great options for a shade garden.

14. Create a rock garden

Rock gardens are a great way to add visual interest to a corner of your garden. You can use rocks of different shapes and sizes to create a natural-looking landscape, and then add plants to soften the edges.

When creating a rock garden, it’s best to start with the largest rocks and then fill in the spaces with smaller rocks. This will help to create a more natural look. You can also add mulch or gravel to fill in any gaps between the rocks.

When it comes to choosing plants for your rock garden, look for varieties that are well-suited to your climate and soil type. You’ll also want to choose plants that are low-growing and don’t require a lot of water.

15. Add a garden statue

A garden statue is a fun way to add a pop of personality to your garden. You can find garden statues in a variety of styles, from classic to whimsical, and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

A garden statue is a great way to add visual interest to a corner of your garden, and it can also be a great conversation starter when you have guests over.

16. Create a kids’ corner

If you’re short on space and looking for corner garden ideas that will keep the kids entertained, this is a great option.

This clever design makes use of an awkward corner and adds an element of fun to the garden. The artificial grass is a smart way to add a play area without the maintenance.

The climbing frame is the star of the show here, but you can add a sandpit, a small trampoline, or even a mud kitchen for hours of fun.

Conclusion

If you’re feeling ambitious, you can try your hand at a DIY vertical garden. This one from A Beautiful Mess is made from an old shipping pallet and is perfect for small outdoor spaces. Simply lean it against a wall or fence, and it’s ready to plant.