Garden edging ideas – 16 beautiful ways to define your garden

Looking for garden edging ideas? They could be key to refreshing your space (not to mention making your garden feel a lot tidier!).

Garden border ideas are one thing, but the way you frame those spaces can make a huge difference to the overall look of your garden. Not only that, but there are so many garden edging ideas to choose from – whether you’re hoping to style with natural or reclaimed materials or even use plants to frame your garden.

We’ve rounded up our favourite garden edging ideas for beautifully defining your garden’s boundaries and lining your borders.

1. Use reclaimed bricks for character

Garden edging ideas don’t have to cost the earth – you can use reclaimed materials like old bricks to create a boundary that’s full of character (and because it’s a budget garden idea, it won’t break the bank!).

‘Reclaimed bricks laid on edge or flush with the ground are an option,’ says Andrew Jackson, award-winning garden writer, designer and creator of The New Build Manifesto.

‘They give a new garden a little instant character and, if laid level with the lawn, make mowing much easier because the mower can run straight over them.’

2. Go for slim steel edging

For more of an incognito approach, Andrew says slim steel edging is a fantastic modern garden edging idea.

‘I think the best modern edging often disappears rather than drawing attention to itself,’ he says. ‘Slim steel edging is one of my favourites because it creates a really crisp division between lawn, gravel and planting without becoming a feature in its own right.’

You can buy galvanised steel lawn edging from Amazon in a range of heights and lengths, or go for more of a rustic style.

‘Weathered steel works particularly well where you want something contemporary but still warm and natural,’ Andrew adds.

3. Add a gentle curve

Materials aside, you’ll want to consider the actual shape of your garden edging ideas, and how they work alongside the size of your garden. According to Andrew, modern homes often benefit from curved edging.

‘For new build gardens especially, I like using edging to soften what can otherwise be quite a boxy space,’ he explains. ‘Rather than running another perfectly straight line parallel to the fence, introduce a gentle curve or allow a border to widen and narrow. Even a relatively inexpensive lawn edging can completely change the way the garden feels.’

That’s why garden edging is such a great companion for various lawn ideas.

4. Try gravel edging

Another budget-friendly garden edging idea we love? Gravel.

It’s already a fantastic affordable paving slab alternative, but if you’re only willing to carve out a small space for the popular material, allocate it to your garden’s edges and boundary zones.

‘Gravel can also become the edging itself,’ says Andrew. ‘A narrow gravel margin between paving and planting gives a clean contemporary finish while allowing plants such as thyme, erigeron or low growing sedums to gently spill across it.

‘I increasingly prefer this slightly blurred approach to a hard boundary. It still looks designed, but as the plants mature it feels much more natural.’

You can buy affordable bags of gravel from B&Q, like these Mellow Cotswold Decorative Stones.

5. Use raised patio edging

Take your edging to the next level by raising it around your garden borders.

‘Raised patio edging is a creative and practical option that can add an interesting visual element to your outdoor space,’ says Georgina Read from Paving Superstore.

‘Raised path edging involves installing a raised strip of paving material around the perimeter of your patio, creating a distinct border that separates the patio from the surrounding landscaping. It can add an extra design layer to your outdoor space, and also help contain planting areas and prevent soil or mulch from spilling onto your patio.’

6. Go for a natural look with logs

Use logs to edge your garden for a natural, rustic look.

‘Choose logs that are similar in shape and size,’ advises Lee Trethewey, garden design and interiors expert at Sustainable Furniture. ‘I recommend hardwood logs as they are more sturdy. Peel off the bark to reduce the risk of pests and rot, and treat them with a weatherproof coat.’

You could also buy pre-formed log edging like this wooden log roll garden border edging from B&Q, which has flexible wire backing for shaping your edging.

7. Keep it natural with woven willow

For gardens with an English country feel, woven willow, also known as wattle, is ideal.

Wattle is great for creating edging that looks like it has grown with the landscape and has been there for years. If you like getting stuck into your garden, you can create your own wattle edging with willow or hazel because they bend more easily and are less likely to snap.

For the posts, drier twigs and branches, which are sturdy, work best. Wattle edging makes a great wind barrier so it’s ideal for edging around vegetable or flower beds which need greater protection from harsh winds.

8. Incorporate bamboo into your edging

For edging that has a natural style, bamboo is an affordable and easy option to install that will blend in with the rest of your garden and can match your garden fence ideas.

You can create your own bamboo edging or buy it ready-made (like this Garden Mile bamboo edging from Robert Dyas), and because it comes in a variety of colours, you can mix and match to add variety and a textural look to your edging.

9. Raise your beds

The inclusion of some strategically placed raised beds can work wonders. Not only do they provide a practical way to access cut flowers and vegetables, but they also work as a popular garden edging idea.

The natural definition of the edges neatly separates the beds from the lawn or any other garden zone. The material of the raised beds is up to you, but two of the more common choices are stone and wood.

10. Add a bench

A contemporary alternative to more traditional garden edging ideas is to create a gentle rather than solid border. One way of achieving this is by using your garden seating to create the same shape as the border of your flower beds.

The seat will give the effect of an edge but still allow the flora to grow wild underneath. Plus, it doubles up as a place to sit and be surrounded by nature while admiring your garden.

11. Opt for tall planters

Smaller or city gardens may not have room for raised beds. A more space-friendly option is to include tall planters.

These can be freestanding, if you like to move things around, or built-in for a more structural feel. The effect works just as raised beds do but with less of a footprint.

12. Set a border in contemporary stone

While edging is one of the most practical buys for your garden, it can also be one of the most captivating. A solid edging in contemporary stone is an ideal way to enhance the overall appearance of your garden, giving it clear definition for a modern layout.

‘Gardeners have plenty of choices when it comes to the creative use of stone,’ notes Anna Hampshire, head of marketing at Marshalls. ‘It may be that you favour a sawn stone look in creamy or silvery tones to blend with your planting, or you prefer to create a contrast with it. Quality natural stone lends a garden real warmth, as well as a natural finish.’

13. Block your garden with slate tiles

Matching the edging on raised flower beds to the patio is a great way to blend a multi-layered garden together. Grey slate tiles look chic and modern, and they’re perfect for complimenting a Mediterranean-style garden bursting with green plants.

It’s a brilliant designer garden edging idea, if you’re looking to give your garden design scheme a zhuzh.

14. Lay down railway sleepers

After an industrial look? Upcycled railway sleepers have become a very popular choice for constructing garden edging, and there are countless garden railway sleeper ideas to choose from.

Reuse old railway sleepers laid at single height, cut down or even double stacked to give a defined edge to pebbled or grassy areas.

They make a great edging choice for raised vegetable beds, too, as they’re perfect for drainage and provide a strong barrier against pests such as slugs and snails. A top tip from us: it’s worth investing in certified, high-quality timber that’s been treated to ensure it stays in good shape for as long as possible.

15. Be bold with boulders

For a more natural-looking garden, consider edging the lawn in stunning large stones or rocks.

These are perfect for creating a striking but low-maintenance garden. For an extra splash of colour, consider piling a few of the rocks up and planting some alpine perennials that will cascade over them in spring and summer.

16. Edge with hedges

To create a free-form feel for your garden, opt for natural edging. Allow the planted borders to act as a clearly defined edge without having to put materials in place.

There are plenty of fast-growing hedges to choose from that’ll give you natural edging in no time, from hornbeam to maple. They’re a brilliant garden screening idea, too.

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FAQs

There are so many garden edging ideas to choose from! Which ones will you be using?