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The rustier, the better!

10 fun recycled garden decorations — DIY ideas to give new life to an old toolbox and more

Unnecessary or even slightly battered items can become recycled garden decorations in your garden. Check out our 10 junk-chic ideas!

Author Henna-Kaisa Ranta

Images Teija Tuisku, Johanna Karttunen, Johanna Kinnari, Kreetta Järvenpää, Hanne Manelius, A-lehdet Photo Archive

February 4, 2025Lue suomeksi

1. A springy approach

The springs of an old box spring bed can partition sections of your garden into separate nooks. You can plant a beautifully blooming climber plant, such as a clematis, to climb along the springs. When reinforced with wooden frames, the springs can even serve as fences for your vegetable patch. They'll only look better as their surface weathers over time.

recycled garden decorations — The springs of an old box spring bed can partition sections of your garden into separate nooks. You can plant a beautifully blooming climber plant, such as a clematis, to climb along the springs. When reinforced with wooden frames, the springs can even serve as fences for your vegetable patch. They'll only look better as their surface weathers over time.

2. Giant winter-proof planters

Old concrete well rings can be used as both a fire pit and a planting container. The rings add rhythmic structure to your garden and help highlight certain plants. A well ring also has ample room for a small tree that can continue rooting deep into the soil. For an elegant look, pair the ring with concrete slabs in matching tones. In this garden, the role of the rings is to repeat the circular shape, which is also used in the lawn area and structures of the garden.

recycled garden decorations — Old concrete well rings can be used as both a fire pit and a planting container. The rings add rhythmic structure to your garden and help highlight certain plants. A well ring also has ample room for a small tree that can continue rooting deep into the soil. For an elegant look, pair the ring with concrete slabs in matching tones. In this garden, the role of the rings is to repeat the circular shape, which is also used in the lawn area and structures of the garden.

3. A spot for arrangements

Is there anything more beautiful than a surface patinated with rust? There’s no longer stew simmering on the burner nor a fire flickering in the firebox, but the old stove makes a perfect display stand for summer flower pots and garden ornaments. The logs in the firebox double as an insect hotel.

recycled garden decorations — Is there anything more beautiful than a surface patinated with rust? There’s no longer stew simmering on the burner nor a fire flickering in the firebox, but the old stove makes a perfect display stand for summer flower pots and garden ornaments. The logs in the firebox double as an insect hotel.

4. Jumbled toolbox

There are plenty of small nooks for houseleeks in an old toolbox. These little beauties, which thrive in shallow soil, can fill the entire box in a single summer. Complete the ensemble with decorative concrete items. Working with concrete can be surprisingly addictive! You can make hand-shaped ornaments by using rubber gloves as molds.

recycled garden decorations — There are plenty of small nooks for houseleeks in an old toolbox. These little beauties, which thrive in shallow soil, can fill the entire box in a single summer. Complete the ensemble with decorative concrete items. Working with concrete can be surprisingly addictive! You can make hand-shaped ornaments by using rubber gloves as molds.

5. Like jewelry

This decoration made from clay pots tied together with string is captivating but still looks natural and down-to-earth. For winter, it's best to bring the clay pots inside to prevent them from cracking when temperatures drop below zero. The purple bell vine next to them keeps blooming well into autumn.

recycled garden decorations — This decoration made from clay pots tied together with string is captivating but still looks natural and down-to-earth. For winter, it's best to bring the clay pots inside to prevent them from cracking when temperatures drop below zero. The purple bell vine next to them keeps blooming well into autumn.

Even a broken piece of furniture can find its purpose in the garden.

6. An obvious planter

Almost any container can serve as a flower pot—and the bigger, the better. However, make sure that excess water can drain out; one way is to drill holes in the bottom. This old bathtub already has a hole in place, though. How convenient!

recycled garden decorations — Almost any container can serve as a flower pot—and the bigger, the better. However, make sure that excess water can drain out; one way is to drill holes in the bottom. This old bathtub already has a hole in place, though. How convenient!

7. Leafy path

Forget ordinary concrete slabs and create beautiful steps out of concrete—it’s surprisingly easy. Large rhubarb leaves are an excellent template for the steps. You can add extra character to the path by making smaller steps with, say, bergenia leaves. Which other leaves would you like to try? Take a look at our tutorial for making concrete rhubarb leaves.

recycled garden decorations — Forget ordinary concrete slabs and create beautiful steps out of concrete—it’s surprisingly easy. Large rhubarb leaves are an excellent template for the steps. You can add extra character to the path by making smaller steps with, say, bergenia leaves. Which other leaves would you like to try? Take a look at our tutorial for making concrete rhubarb leaves.

8. Rustic romance

An old wagon wheel makes a lovely border for the end of this peony bed, and the garden is adorned by a splendid pole fence. Timothy grass, ox-eye daisies, and buttercups are also allowed to flourish in the peony bed.

recycled garden decorations — An old wagon wheel makes a lovely border for the end of this peony bed, and the garden is adorned by a splendid pole fence. Timothy grass, ox-eye daisies, and buttercups are also allowed to flourish in the peony bed.

9. Garden puzzle

Extra garden paving stones left over from other people’s gardens can be found easily in recycling groups and online flea markets—sometimes even for free. The quantities may be small, but don’t be afraid to mix and match stones with an open mind. Often the end result can be more interesting than a layout made entirely of one type of stone.

recycled garden decorations — Extra garden paving stones left over from other people’s gardens can be found easily in recycling groups and online flea markets—sometimes even for free. The quantities may be small, but don’t be afraid to mix and match stones with an open mind. Often the end result can be more interesting than a layout made entirely of one type of stone.

Even if you can’t find used garden paving stones, there are stones that are at least partially made from recycled materials available.

10. Sweet dreams

A tiny bed frame can become an adorable platform for summer flower plantings or a strawberry patch. Old wooden crates are a great substitute for pots.

recycled garden decorations — A tiny bed frame can become an adorable platform for summer flower plantings or a strawberry patch. Old wooden crates are a great substitute for pots.

Plants & Gardening Recycling Sustainable Lifestyle Garden Planning Garden Construction

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