DIY Doctor

Main navigation


The Complete Guide to Building Garden Features

If you are looking for inspiration for your garden and how you can build eye catching design features then this section will cover everything you need. We describe how you can build garden water features such as ponds, paddling pools and spas or hot tubs. There lost of information about fun features for the kids, such as advice on building tree houses, sighting trampolines and building climbing frames. There is also a lot of information about constructing garden features such as a pergola or a barbecue and many more ideas.

It is one thing to have the garden design but quite another to actually build all the garden features that will make your garden an enjoyable place to be and a wonderful space to use. This section of is all about showing you how to build the features that you have decided to put in your garden – this is where you roll your sleeves up and get to work!

Water is the King of Garden Features

When it comes to garden features the assumption more often than not is that the feature will be a water feature. This is largely because a water feature can be so effective in bringing a garden together and making it a relaxing place to be.

Beautiful garden water feature
A water feature will enhance any garden (image: West Lothian Landscape Design)

In this section we cover other areas and ideas that you might have to create a feature in your garden. Whether you are installing feature lighting, which can have excellent security benefits or erecting garden structures such as pergolas and arbours there is a lot of information here to help you.

This section does not cover garden paths, patios and driveways as this is a huge area and we deal with this in a dedicated category, which you can see by clicking here.  For information on lawns and hedges you can look at our section on lawn and hedge care.

Another area that is closely related but we do not cover here is home security. As you garden is often the point of entry for any would be burglar then this is something to consider when building your garden features. Don’t make it easier for anyone to get in. Position lighting to deter the opportunist. You can read about more ideas in our section on home security here.

We have comprehensive information about most of the jobs that you are likely to attempt in your garden in our landscaping and gardening section.

Feature garden wall under construction
A feature garden wall, work in progress, by Roger Gladwell

7 Top Tips for Adding Features to Your Garden

Here are our 7 top tips so when you are planning and building the various garden features that you will want to have in your finished garden:

  1. Leave plenty of head room: The standard schools of thought suggest that you need to have 7 feet clear under arches, pergolas and arbours. We suggest that this should be the minimum especially if you plan to train plans that will hang down. You don’t want to be ducking under plants or worse, getting caught on one as you try and get through
  2. Water features in the sun: Avoid putting water features in a dark or overgrown corner as this will make it more dank and cold. Try to put water features in a place where they get direct sunlight most of the day at least
  3. Safety Features: There are a number of garden features, such as lighting and water features, which will require power. Make sure that you consider this when you are sighting the feature. Also make sure that they are installed safely – you will need to get a professional to complete wiring outside
  4. Be neighbourly: If you new garden feature is going to over-shadow or impact your neighbours it is worth talking it through with them or simply considering them. It might save many years of unintended bad feeling, particularly if you could use an alternative location that is just as good
  5. Check before you dig: As part of the planning stage is it worth checking that there is nothing that could derail the project before you start. Find out where the pipes run into and out of your house. Make sure that there are no underground cables or impossible to break up lumps of concrete. “Sods Law” say that you’ll only discover this when you’re digging in the last leg of your new pergola, and it will be much harder to work around then than if you know about it before
Garden pergola feature
A Pergola makes a fantastic garden feature (Image: DesignRulz)
  1. Measure before you spend: It sounds really obvious, but it is so easy to forget to measure up the space you have before you head off to the garden centre filled with enthusiasm for your new feature. Have the measurement written down and to hand because it is very hard to imagine the space that you have when you’re at the garden centre
  2. Wildlife: It is worth considering how your new feature can encourage wildlife as wells as look beautiful. This about your location and choice of plants. There are plenty of tips on wildlife websites – have a quick read before your start

Garden features can make a huge impact on a garden and really change the feel of the space. They are easy to plan, but much harder to install. Hopefully this section will give you the knowledge and confidence to have a go at installing a beautiful garden feature yourself.

Give us Some Feedback!