12 budget landscaping ideas: Get a high-end look for a low cost

When thinking about budget landscaping ideas for your garden, it’s a good idea to pinpoint any elements you like as your starting point, particularly if you’re on a budget. 

Next, consider how much you have to spend. Is there enough to adapt the existing scheme, or go for a complete overhaul, with a completely new planting design? 

If money is tight, it may still be possible to rejuvenate a tired-looking garden design simply by taking a fresh approach and injecting some new ideas such as adding one feature that transforms the scheme. 

Expert ways to landscape your garden on a budget

Garden designers are experts in delivering stunning garden landscaping ideas to a set budget. They've shared their expert tips below on how to save money in your design, without compromising style.

1. Mix in cost-effective landscaping materials

Versatile gravel and other pebble chippings are economical to buy, easy to spread and widely available, so it’s a practical choice if you’re looking for ways to bring your garden landscaping costs in on budget but are running out of affordable hardscaping ideas. Try this Stylish Blue Stone Slate at Homebase.

It’s also a good option if you like the idea of mixing up the look by adding some garden paving ideas in amongst the gravel to customise the look. This lends itself to a loose and unstructured style of planting using a mix of perennials, ornamental grasses and ground cover plants, which are all affordable options at the garden centre.

“Breaking up hard landscaping or fully paved areas with a combination of pavers and gravel garden ideas has lots of benefits,” says garden designer Christine Wilford of Green Arden Design. 

“Certainly, it saves costs, but it also contributes to the environment as it creates a permeable surface that lets water run through. With increased flooding issues now a real concern this is a really important consideration. A combination like this can be enhanced with plants, which is beneficial for the environment too and encourages wildlife.”

Don't forget you'll need a layer of permeable membrane to stop weeds growing up through your gravel but also allowing water to drain away. Try this Heavy Duty Weed Control Landscape Fabric - 1m X 20m Roll at Wickes for just 75p a metre.

Christine Wilford

Christine is a qualified garden designer who is passionate about producing projects that exceed client's expectations and add value.

2. Designer lighting doesn’t have to be expensive

Considered garden lighting adds another dimension to your landscaping and turns the space into an evening destination too, as well as enhancing the exterior of the house. But too much can look overdone as well as adding to mounting costs.

“A little light goes a long way at night,” says design director Luke Thomas of John Cullen Lighting. “A few carefully positioned fittings can still ensure your garden becomes a magical extra room at night. Single-source, high-output flood lights should be avoided at all costs, as they do nothing for the aesthetics and functionality of the garden, as well as creating a persistent nuisance to neighbours and wildlife.”

Instead, create focal points using low-glare fittings with baffles to shield the light source. This allows you to direct the spill of light from each fitting so it falls only where it is needed on key features such as a sculpture, planting or trees. 

“Combine this with lighting something immediately outside the window – such as the terrace – as this will draw the eye outside and extend the view,” says Luke. “Finally think of adding some kinetic energy with candles on your table, a cheap way to add extra sparkle.”

Luke Thomas

Luke has worked collaboratively with top designers, architects and contractors since 2008. Luke has been involved in a wide range of projects offering design-led solutions which improve our experience of spaces with lighting. 

3. Don’t assume your builder can take on a landscaping project

It can be tempting to take shortcuts as a way of reigning in costs but this can end up being more expensive in the long run. “Landscaping should always be done properly to a high specification," says garden designer Rob Hughes. "The risk is that if you buy cheap you buy twice, so ultimately your landscaping project becomes more expensive. I see a lot of people doing gardens on the cheap but they don’t last and before you know it they’re having to redo the work.”

Another piece of advice from Rob is don’t entrust your builder, for a new-build garden for example, to take on a garden project. ”You need to find expert landscapers as more often than not, despite the original quote coming in cheaper than a landscaper, builders underestimate the amount of work involved," explains Rob. “This leads to errors with the installation, and expensive mistakes are commonplace.”

Rob Hughes

Robert Hughes is an award winning garden designer at Robert Hughes Studio Ltd in Knutsford, Cheshire. They work on a range of projects from small town gardens to large, modern country landscapes. 

4. Plan a budget-friendly outdoor kitchen

If you’re thinking about including outdoor kitchen ideas in your landscaping project then planning is key to keeping it on budget. Costs can vary dramatically, so it’s a good idea to get expert input if you’re unsure about what you want. 

“Much like an interior kitchen, an outdoor kitchen is all about the flow and how it is set up,” says Mark Latchford, director of landscape design at HollandGreen Landscapes. 

“Make sure you have enough space to prep food and drinks and consider how you will serve food and the relation of the dining seating to the outdoor kitchen. The space can be dressed using potted herbs from the garden or outdoor festoon lights to create a magical setting when entertaining on summer evenings.”

Mark Latchford

Mark is the director of landscape design at Holland Green, a multidisciplinary Design Practice of Architects, Interior Designers, Landscape Designers and Project Managers.

5. Create a natural water feature to save on costs

Garden ponds and water features can be an expensive element in garden landscaping but there are some easy ways to bring down the costs. 

“A wildlife pond made with a flexible liner can be an easy and inexpensive way of bringing wildlife into your garden, as well as being a great focal point,” says garden designer Alice Meacham. 

“Surround it with rocks and pebbles to create a beach area, and marginal plants to soften the edges for a budget garden idea.” 

6. Use a few statement plants to create a luxe feel

Adding a few large sculptural plants or trees to your landscaping can be transformative, especially in terms of elevating a small space by creating an inexpensive high-end look. 

Choose carefully and you'll create a modern garden feel if the planting scheme is filled out with plants like ornamental grasses or ferns. “In this design, immersive green and textured planting frames the new extension clad in clay bricks. These have been matched as a paving material in the landscape, unifying the house and garden,” says garden designer Tom Massey.

Tom Massey

Tom’s work has won multiple awards and widespread recognition. Known for bold, daring and thought-provoking show gardens, the studio has won multiple medals at garden shows.

7. Paint a fence in a designer shade

Never underestimate the power of a great paint colour if you’re landscaping on a budget. Architects and designers particularly love to use a strong dark colours like black and grey as these colours transcend all fashions, working with pretty much every other colour, and offering a cool and cost-effective makeover opportunity.

Learn how to paint a fence or exterior wall properly for a simple budget landscaping idea that will last.

8. Add an affordable design element to your landscaping

As well as letting you divide landscaping into smaller and more intimate areas, some decorative garden screening ideas can be considered works of art in themselves. Hang them where they will be most appreciated, such as from inside the house, or to frame outdoor seating areas. 

By introducing a different material, such as Corten steel, into a design filled with plants and water, you add a textured accent that informs the space. Metal also adds gleam and reflection to an otherwise matt series of surfaces such as the materials used for walls, garden paving and decking.

9. Save money on planting costs

Evaluate carefully how much hardscaping is needed for a patio or decking and keep it to a pragmatic level as it tends to cost more than soft landscaping. “In every garden transformation project, the client’s budget plays an important part,” says garden designer James Scott. 

“We always strive to achieve the best value for our clients while we create their dream garden.” He suggests planning the timing of your planting to take advantage of bare-root and root-balled stock, which is cheaper than container-grown stock and only available in the winter months. 

He also recommends starting with younger plants and nurturing them to fulfil their potential. ‘Buying mature plants may help to achieve the desired effect more quickly, but this is more expensive. Instead, one of the greatest joys of a garden transformation project is to watch the new garden develop and flourish.” 

James Scott

A Fellow of the Society of Garden Designers and a Designer Member of the British Association of Landscape Industries, James founded The Garden Company in 1991. James is on the BALI and SGD adjudication panels for new designer members and regularly judges Pro Landscaper’s Project Awards.

10. Lift your landscaping with stylish accessories

An affordable way of transforming your landscape is by adding designer-style accessories that can help lift the space without you having to fork out eyewatering amounts of money. One of the easiest ways to do this is with portable accessories like solar lights that can be shifted around to suit your needs.

“There is an ever-increasing selection of fantastic garden lights that are rechargeable,” says garden designer Helen Elks-Smith. 

‘Hand-held lanterns can be added to a dining table or when cooking outside, and easily carried to and from the garden. They have a USB connection and provide many hours of use before a recharge is needed.” 

Weatherproof, solar charging LED light units mean no unsightly cables and remote, variable switching ensures effortless use.

Helen Elks-Smith

Helen has won numerous awards for her work including two RHS gold medals, three design awards from the Society of Garden Designers (SGD) and two Design Excellence Awards from the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI).

11. Supersize borders and fill with easy repeat planting

Modern planting styles tend to have a repetitive theme, where multiples of one variety are used at intervals. Repeat planting is an affordable way to fill borders, especially if you order online from a reputable nursery as you may get a discount. A minimal plant scheme works well for small garden design too.

Alternatively, learn to propagate from your own stock to grow your plant collection for free. It’s a good idea to stretch the boundaries of your borders too, as more planting means less expensive hardscaping materials. 

Shrubs like hydrangeas, ornamental grasses and evergreens are always popular choices as they look good throughout the year and make easy work of pulling together a coordinated look.

12. Stick to a limited number of landscaping materials

A pared-down selection of hardscaping materials is key to landscaping on a budget. Stick to the formula of using just one or two carefully chosen hardscaping materials, maybe softening the look here and there with pockets of attractive lawn ideas. 

Composite decking may seem more expensive than timber but it’s a better investment in the long run due to its greater durability and longevity, plus it requires less maintenance. 

Large-format paving units are best for a modern landscaping design, and porcelain never dates so again is a good long-term investment. Think about a finishing touch to break up any uniformity such as adding an accent colour like a black fence, or a detail like a feature metal. 

It's important to think about how much work you want to put into a garden, as maintenance can have its own cost. Take a look at our low-maintenance garden ideas so you can keep aftercare to a minimum