We love spending time in the garden as much as the next guy, but sometimes it can be tough to figure out exactly how to style your outdoor space. With all the immaculately landscaped gardens we see on the TV and the influencers with perfectly styled patios, it’s no wonder we all have a little bit of garden envy. But the truth is; everyone can have a stunning outdoor space with just a few special touches!
From showstopping structures such as rose arches and gazebos to life-sized sculptures and practical plant care accessories, we know exactly what you need to make your garden the talk of the street. Here are some of our favourite design styles and aesthetics for your garden - stylish, unique and functional all year round. First things first, though, let’s take a closer look at the important pillars of garden styling…
GARDEN USES
Consider the ways in which you want to use (and enjoy) your garden. Is it primarily for entertaining guests? Do you have pets or children that will need to use the space? Or is it all about growing and harvesting fresh fruit and veggies?
LOCATION
Think about the location of your outdoor spaces. Under-cover patios and porches are ideal for keeping metal products rust-free, whilst hard-standing ground is perfect for setting up a fire bowl. It’s all about creating little vignettes of beauty (and practicality).
PERSONAL PREFERENCES
Ultimately, how you choose to style your garden is entirely up to you. Stay true to the styles, finishes and shapes that you love. And make sure everything functions exactly the way that you want it to. It is your garden after all…
COUNTRY GARDENS
COUNTRY GARDENS
An absolute classic! The country garden style is definitely one of our favourites here at BCMW. Taking inspiration from the UK’s vast farmland and greenery, this style is all about embracing the great outdoors. Think rustic finishes, carefully planted veggies and cute little farm animals…
The perfect accessories to give your garden that ‘country’ edge. We love these practical (and charming) garden planter stakes, and this weathervane topped with a little hen and her chicks is ideal for the farm-y aesthetic. Shop the designs:
Because who wouldn’t want to add a touch of character to their outdoor space? One of our favourites is this little piggy, complete with wellington boots and a straw hat.
Rustic Cast Iron Pig in Wellies Sculpture
Not your thing? Have a browse of our full collection of animal garden sculptures here.
A much-needed addition to any outdoor setting. These lights have been inspired by traditional barn and coach house-style designs. Ideal for keeping everything illuminated (even when the sun goes down). Featured:
Comfort and enjoying what nature has to offer is at the core of country design. Ornate benches adorned with flowers, rose arches ready for growing trailing plants and stylish outdoor dining sets are a must. Here are our favourites:
Brushed Copper “Thornton” Garden Bench
Classic “Pinecrest” Rustic Rose Arch
Antique Copper “Kelston” Four-Seater Furniture Set (pictured below)
Whether you’re hoping to turn your garden into a small-holding (complete with actual live animals) or you’re looking for more of a wholesome growing space, we’ve got everything you need and more to get the country aesthetic…
MODERN GARDENS
For the minimalists and contemporary stylists out there, a modern garden is exactly the ‘look’ you’re seeking. Sleek lines, smooth finishes and angular shapes are just a few of the pillars of modern style. The key? Intentional design choices with a whole heap of practicality.
Minimalism doesn’t equal no accessories or decor pieces; it means honing simplicity and embracing clean edges. Just like our clam-inspired hanging basket bracket, leaf garden screen and sleek watering can:
Black Traditional Watering Can
Nothing says ‘summer’ quite like a firepit after sunset. Our “Agni” Kadai bowl takes its inspiration from traditional Indian design with a smooth, contemporary touch:
Chimeneas are also a lovely way to keep warm on those chillier evenings. Shop the full collection here.
Illumination, but make it classy. Whether you’re looking to add ambience to a porch or patio, or you’re in need of something to light the way along your drive, here are just a handful of our favourite outdoor lighting solutions:
Lounging at its absolute finest. Embrace modernity with one of our handcrafted cityscape benches, or get chilling with an outdoor lounge set (complete with comfy cushions, of course):
Bespoke London Cityscape Iron & Steel Park Bench
“Elmswood” Outdoor Lounge Set (pictured below)
Modern design is the ideal way to go for those who want to create an outdoor sanctuary without detracting from the beauty of nature. Calming, refreshing and perfectly zen…
ORNATE GARDENS
ORNATE GARDENS
Fancy something a little more showstopping? Say hello to ornate design. Inspired by intricate fabrics and patterns seen throughout British history, this style is all about standing out. Bound to inspire, with nods to old-fashioned English gardens, manor houses and castles.
The little extras to make your outdoor setting look like something straight from a Jane Austen novel. Take your garden back to the 18th Century with a stunning bird bath and create the illusion of grandeur with our oak tree mirror:
Ornate style is very much a showcase of opulence and the avant-garde. Think larger-than-life floral sculptures, elegant free-standing birds and unique pieces inspired by royalty:
Large Dual Flower Rustic Garden Sculpture
There’s no point in going all out with the decorations if nobody can see them come sunset. Enter; lighting. From intricate wall lights fitted with seeded glass and beautiful hanging porch lights, to towering lamp posts inspired by the Victorian era. Featured:
“Pennsylvania” Antique Bronze Wall Light
Seeking something a little more ‘extra’? Shop our collection of outdoor lighting here.
The pièce de résistance of any ornate space; the furniture and structures. Think intricate rose arches complete with traditional scrolls, flower-adorned benches crafted from cast iron and stunning outdoor dining sets, ready to host the garden party of the season:
Ornate Scroll “Tenbury” Rustic Rose Arch
Antique Champagne “Marianne” Eight Seater Furniture Set (pictured below)
“Tri-Floral” White Two Seater Bench (pictured below)
Ornate style brings a touch of historical charm to any garden space, whether you’re looking to ‘wow’ with a large rose arch or you’re just looking to inject some added grandeur…
SMALLER GARDENS
SMALLER GARDENS
Is your garden extra small? Whether you’ve only got a balcony to play with or your outdoor space is severely lacking in greenery (i.e. a giant patio), we’ve got the solutions for you. Smaller gardens still deserve to look stylish, and you still deserve the space to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. Here’s how…
Smaller gardens equals the need for more space-saving solutions. Our collection of hanging basket brackets allow you to elevate your garden, leaving the ground open for other things. Whilst a large garden mirror will give the illusion of more space:
Little tools to make a big impact. No space for a shed or storage box? No worries. Our handheld tools are perfect for keeping your plants tended to without worrying about storage. Our wall-mounted hosepipe holders are also a must for keeping everything tidy:
Stainless Steel Gardening Hand Fork
Simple yet oh-so practical lighting to keep your balcony, patio or tiny garden illuminated all evening long. We love the idea of using pillar lights to create a sense of grandeur without taking up crucial space:
“Chichester” Traditional Pillar Light
You can browse our full collection of pillar and patio lights here.
Just because your space is smaller, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a key piece of garden furniture to make everything more functional. Bistro sets are designed specifically for smaller settings, whilst two-seater benches are also compact enough to add comfort without impacting space:
“Chatham” Two-Seater Park Bench
“Charlotte” Bistro Set With Mosaic Top (pictured below)
Any outdoor space, no matter how small, can be transformed into something special. Spending time outside amongst the birds and flora is so important, which is why we always try to cater our product lines to suit any setting.
THE WOW-FACTOR
How to make your garden setting stand out from the crowd in 3, 2, 1? Consider investing in one of our stunning garden structures! From ornate rose arches and intricate tree seats to classic gazebos and large bandstands, it’s all about making an impact with these wow-factor pieces. Featured below are two of our most popular designs; The “Aurelia” Gazebo and The “Pinecrest” Rose Arch. Each expertly crafted in-house using only the best quality materials and finishes, these stunning designs are an absolute must for any garden seeking something a little more extraordinary.
OUTDOOR MATERIALS & FINISHES
As with anything placed outdoors, a little extra maintenance can be required to keep your items looking as fresh as the day they arrived. We choose our materials and finishes with the elements in mind, opting for hardier and rust-resistant metals and paints wherever possible. However, certain metals will always require an extra bit of care to ensure longevity. Here’s our mini guide to our most common outdoor materials and finishes:
RUSTIC FINISHES
Sometimes known as corten steel when used alongside steel products, these finishes are designed to look rusty. Cast iron and steel items with this effect will continue to naturally age over time and won’t require any maintenance.
ROBUST ALUMINIUM
Many of our outdoor items (especially our furniture pieces) are crafted from robust aluminum then finished in powder coatings to further protect the metal. These items are hardy and built to last, making them ideal for rust-free placement in outdoor environments.
PAINTED FINISHES
For outdoor items, we use a powder coating paint to ensure item longevity. Depending on item placement, occasional paint top-ups may be required. We also recommend regular cleaning of these items to keep them dust and debris-free.
CAST IRON
If left untreated, cast iron will take on a natural, rustic appearance over time. To prevent this from happening, we recommend finishing touch-ups every six-months using a protective paint. Many people choose cast iron for the patina that it takes on.
For further advice about how to care for your outdoor items, please refer to our Care & Maintenance Guides. Here you’ll find: Fire Pits & Wood Burners Maintenance Guide, Garden Furniture Care & Maintenance Guide, Garden Sculptures Maintenance Guide, Outdoor Lighting Maintenance Guide, and more.
Whether you’re looking to add some extra sparkle to your existing outdoor setting or you’re going through a complete garden revamp, we hope this guide has helped to point you in the right direction. Now, let’s get back to nature!
