House Garden Design Ideas: Plants, Furniture and Arrangement

A well-designed house garden that strikes the right balance between function and aesthetic appeal, can bring comfort and rejuvenate the residents. With numerous plants and designs to choose from, we share some ideas to help you create your own green paradise at home.

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How to create a house garden?

It is not imperative to have a huge garden area. Instead, a small garden can be designed in one’s front yard, backyard, terrace or even balcony. Just think in a creative way and carefully design a functional and aesthetically appealing garden. In case space is no issue, you can opt for landscaping, with vegetable and flowering plants, grass, a pathway, pergola, seating, fountains, rocks and illumination.

How much sunlight does a house garden need?

The key to gardening is to have the right plant in the right place. “Do not place semi-shade plants in the sun and sun loving plants in the shade. As a general rule, anything that has fruits and flowers and has colour needs sunlight for three to six hours a day. For shade-loving plants avoid fluctuations in light. Keep these in one place, rather than moving it from the sun to shade and vice-versa,” says Anusha Babbar, proprietor of garden design consultancy, Under the Tree.

See also: Kitchen gardening for beginners

Flowers for a house garden

You can treat the garden like a canvas and brighten it up with flowers, foliage, colourful walls, pottery, etc.

“Flowers that can be used to add colour in the garden and are easy to maintain, include Ixoras (which come in many shades, such as red, orange, peach and yellow), Portulaca (moss rose) and 4O clock (Mirabilis Jalapa, in red, yellow and magenta colour). Tornea (wishbone flower) is another delicate, seasonal flower that one can use,” adds Babbar.

Herbs and vegetables for a house garden

Nothing is more rewarding than growing one’s own food. Whatever little space you have, can be utilised to grow herbs and veggies. Any area that receives the most light, is ideal for kitchen gardening to grow curry leaves, aloe vera, lemongrass and tulsi. If space is not a constraint, other easy-to-grow plants are mint, basil, lemons, spinach, fenugreek, ladies finger, bitter gourd, etc.

How to create a vertical garden at home

Use walls or garden boundaries for vertical gardens, if floor space is limited. There are many ways to create vertical gardens. One can attach plant containers to a wall or simply keep iron or wooden stands, to hold multiple pots. Alternatively, one can have a frame made, with horizontal rows where the plants can be placed. Note that vertical gardens need proper watering and drainage systems.

Seating arrangement for house garden

Depending on the space in the garden, one can either opt for permanent seating with built-in benches and tables or have moveable, folding chairs, stools, etc. Opt for sturdy, weather-proof furniture that does not rot or rust. In case you do not have ample shade, use a huge umbrella as a canopy. Put a swing or a hammock to create a cheerful spot for kids.

See also: Lucky plants for the home

“I have created a small setting area by using old, sliced off palm tree trunks and placed a marble slab on top. Also, we have two seats made from old car tyres, which are painted and have weather-proof cushions,” says Manyta Kohli, a teacher from Pune.

Pots and planters for house garden

Pots and planters are available in various sizes, colours, shapes and materials. Apart from the usual shapes, one can even buy pots in the shape of ducks, elephants, frogs, watermelons, or pumpkins. You can also use wooden crates, large coffee mugs, wide-mouthed bottles and traditional earthen cooking ware, as planters.

Use pots to create a symmetry in the garden. For example, place pots on both sides of a pathway, in rows. Grouping pots of the same colour, plants of varying textures and sizes, is also another way to beautify the garden area.

Elements for a good house garden design

Plan a theme and then, select the plants, pots and other accessories to create a unified look. Accents like a huge fountain, decorative pots, colourful flowers, groups of exotic plants, etc., make a garden more interesting.
A well-maintained lawn can make the entire landscape look picturesque.
Add a water element, like a fountain as the sound of water can create a calming effect. Change the water twice a week.
For water bodies like ponds, ensure that it has fish (Guppy), to avoid mosquitoes from breeding.
Lemon, pomegranate, bougainvillea and geranium are the best plants for sunny gardens.
To grow vegetables, it is advisable to use terracotta pots as they are porous and allow oxygen to reach the roots
Hang a few bird cages with plants and fairy lights, to give a magical effect at night.
In the garden, butterflies flock to water sources. So, keep a saucer filled with water. To attract butterflies, have food sources (host plants) for caterpillars and nectar plants for butterflies.
When designing a walkway, ensure that it is not cramped or uneven.
Use outdoor ornamentation, such as sculptures of meditating monks, rabbits, frogs, etc.

FAQ

What plants are ideal for house gardens?

If you face space constraints, you can opt for a small kitchen garden with veggies, or herbs or even small flowering plants.

What furniture is good for house gardens?

Choose furniture that is not prone to damage when exposed to the elements of nature. These can be made of cement, wrought iron or wood.

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Purnima Goswami Sharma

Purnima Goswami Sharma is a freelance writer based in Mumbai, who has been contributing to various newspapers, magazines and portals for the last two decades. Besides being a research writer for various TV shows, she has been a visiting faculty at SNDT for Communication Skills. She hold a master’s degree in English Literature from Mumbai University and a diploma in Communications and Journalism. She writes on diverse subjects like real estate, interiors, education, lifestyle, health, entertainment and environment.

Email: [email protected]