Ideas For Small Country Gardens

There are five essential elements you need to create the perfect English country garden.

Garden design is about making sense of your outside space, and when it comes to an English country garden, it's by creating 'rooms', forming pathways and enclosing your spaces. If you have a good-sized garden you can make several lawn-filled 'rooms', lay paths between them and enclose them with walls of hedges.

1. Shape up

When it comes to lawn designs, a rectangular lawn is more authentically country and less urban than a circular design. Try to get a few rectangles of different sizes into your plot.

2. Plan your beds

Make sure there's enough room around the lawn for generous flowerbeds. The bigger the lawn, the deeper the planting needs to be. Ideally there'll be enough room for three tiers of planting from tall at the back, to low at the front. And for that you need the border to be at least two metres deep.

bees primrose flower close up in english garden

Mark Heighes Getty Images

3. Make walkways

For an English country garden, add walkways between your lawns. They can be laid with gravel, paving, or brick and should be wide enough for two people to walk comfortably along side-by-side. Spanning a pathway you could add a garden arch covered with climbing plants – roses always look wonderful grown on arches.

pink roses blooming over an archway in an english garden during the summer

AmandaLewis Getty Images

4. Create a view

Think about what you'll see from the lawn and walkway. Try to include a feature to provide a focal point – otherwise known as a 'view-stopper'. It could be a sculpture, a seat, fountain or simple water feature.

5. Plant a wall

Hedges are an integral part of an English country garden. They form the walls of the new 'rooms' you're making. Plant them behind the borders and alongside the walkways to separate each lawn and path. And where a hedge crosses a walkway, create an arch that you could also use to form a frame for the 'view-stopper'.

green fir tree hedges, a metallic garden gate and pink roses

Julia Davila-Lampe Getty Images

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19 garden mirrors for your outdoor space

White garden mirror - Garden Mirrors

Scrolled arch mirror

If you're looking for a small garden mirror, we quite like this elegant arched design with a vintage, antique look.

Large Garden Mirror - Garden Mirrors

Gothic Tall Outdoor Mirror

nationaltrust.org.uk

£120.00

This tall, gothic-style garden mirror ticks all the right boxes. Elegant and timeless, it will enhance your outdoor space.

Arch Outdoor Mirror - Garden Mirrors

Sumlin Accent Mirror

Sol 72 Outdoor wayfair.co.uk

£115.99

Finished in a contemporary dark blue and grey hue, this garden mirror looks super stylish and practical, thanks to the shutter-style doors.

Stone Effect Outdoor Mirror - Garden Mirrors

Garden Mirror Church Window Stone Effect Outdoor Décor

La Hacienda amazon.co.uk

£79.99

The metal arch and stone effect finish on this garden mirror will complement any outdoor space, giving your garden the wow factor.

Window Pane Outdoor Mirror - Garden Mirrors

Fulbrook Square Mirror

gardentrading.co.uk

£125.00

Boasting a sophisticated and contemporary style, the Fulbrook garden mirror features a distinctive window pane, perfect for every outdoor space.

Gothic garden mirror - Garden mirrors

Metal Renaissance Peaked Glass Garden Mirror

Reflect primrose.co.uk

£54.99

Want to bring Gothic or renaissance luxury to your garden? We love the peaked design of this bronze outdoor mirror.

Black Outdoor Mirror - Garden Mirrors

Large Black Metal Arched Garden Mirror

notonthehighstreet.com

£250.00

One of our favourites, this impressive large arched garden mirror is frost protected to withstand any weather. We love the black metal frame that's lightly distressed in gold leaf. It's striking and will create a real statement.

Gold Outdoor Mirror - Garden Mirrors

Small Gold Gothic Outdoor Mirror

Bring the luxe factor to your outdoor space with this chic garden mirror. The gold, lightly antiqued finish will weather over time to exude a rustic charm.

Contemporary Outdoor Mirror - Garden Mirrors

Metal Rectangular Glass Garden Mirror

This rectangular glass garden mirror is a modern choice. With bold, clean lines and a black finish, this will suit contemporary outdoor spaces.

Gold Outdoor Mirror - Garden Mirrors

Sunburst Outdoor Mirror

Looking for a garden mirror with some wow factor? Look no further. This sunburst design is sure to create a stunning focal point. Bold yet elegant, the antique gold finish makes this ideal for a contemporary or boho-themed garden.

Arched Outdoor Mirror - Garden Mirrors

Truro XL Decorative Outdoor Garden Arch Mirror

Woodside amazon.co.uk

This lovely, traditional style garden mirror adds depth, making it appear bigger than it is. It gives the illusion of an open pair of windows.

Tall Outdoor Mirror - Garden Mirrors

Tall Rectangular Cream Metal Garden Mirror

notonthehighstreet.com

£79.99

Manufactured from steel and with a waterproof backing, this stylish garden mirror is able to withstand the elements. Finished in cream weatherproof paint, it'll complement any rustic garden setting.

Gothic Mirror - Garden Mirrors

Gothic Stone Garden Mirror

nationaltrust.org.uk

£70.00

With intricate tracery, this gothic stone, metal framed mirror has a backing suitable for the British weather. The form and design is reminiscent of a classic church window.

Garden Mirror With Shutters - Garden Mirrors

Garden wall mirror with shutters

This window-style outdoor mirror will create a sense of light and space in your back garden, especially smaller ones. To create an authentic aged appearance, the continental-style wooden shutters have been painted and weathered.

Bronze Effect Outdoor Mirror - Garden Mirrors

6ft x 2ft Large Bronze Garden Mirror

Reflect primrose.co.uk

£76.99

Switch things up with this bronze acrylic garden mirror, perfect for adding some light and space into your garden. This mirror is stronger yet more lightweight than glass, so is safer in busy outdoor spaces.

Weathered Outdoor Mirror - Garden Mirrors

Wilko Weathered Effect Garden Mirror

Enhanced with a weathered effect, this charming garden mirror will work well in most outdoor settings.

white outdoor mirror - garden mirrors

Large Decorative White Metal Arch Mirror

Maribelle amazon.co.uk

US$39.99

Create a statement with this white arched garden mirror, made from strong metal.

Iron Gates Outdoor Mirror - Garden Mirrors

6ft x 3ft Illusion Mirror Gate - by Reflect™

This delicate wrought iron style garden mirror, designed to look like a garden gate, is made with a sturdy metal powder-coated frame to help make it resistant to rust and corrosion. The shatterproof acrylic mirror is a safe alternative to glass.

Antique Outdoor Mirror - Garden Mirrors

Charles Bentley Arch Outdoor Mirror Cream

If you like the rustic, antique look, choose this decorative arched design finished in a neutral cream hue.

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