27 Raised Garden Bed Ideas to Transform Your Outdoor Space

By Interior Designer TRACY SVENDEN | Published January 12, 2024 |

If you’re looking for raised garden bed ideas – you’ve come to the right place. Raised garden beds are a fantastic way to add character and functionality to your yard. They provide a practical solution for growing vegetables, herbs, and flowers and can transform your landscape design into a stunning oasis. 

As someone who was raised on a farm in a remote location with two experienced gardeners as parents, I grew up surrounded by beautiful flower gardens, raised vegetable beds, and an interest in sustainable living. In this article, I’ll explore creative raised garden bed designs that elevate your gardening game.

From tiered beds to vertical gardens, there are many options. Whether you have a small patio or a sprawling backyard, these designs can be tailored to fit any space. With their versatility and aesthetic appeal, raised garden beds are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners and gardening enthusiasts alike.

Explore different materials, shapes, and layouts to enhance your garden’s beauty and maximize your harvest. Get ready to unleash your creativity and transform your outdoor space into a thriving oasis of greenery! Feature image courtesy of Dig Your Garden.

NALP Silver Award of Excellence Garden Design Winner | Form Garden Design
Image courtesy of National Association of Landscape Professionals

Raised Garden Beds Have Numerous Benefits

Raised garden beds offer numerous benefits for both novice and experienced gardeners. One of the primary advantages is improved soil quality. Using raised beds gives you more control over the soil composition, ensuring optimal conditions for your plants to thrive.

Additionally, raised garden beds provide better drainage, preventing waterlogged soil and reducing the risk of root rot. They also help to keep weeds at bay, as the elevated design makes it harder for weeds to invade your garden.

Furthermore, raised garden beds offer ergonomic benefits. The elevated height reduces the strain on your back and knees, making it easier to tend to your plants and harvest crops. This is especially beneficial for individuals with mobility issues or those who find traditional gardening methods physically challenging.

The National Gardening Association provides the following advantages pertaining to raised garden beds: 

• Raised beds heat the soil and drain it faster so you can plant sooner in spring. 
• Raised beds contain fertile soil so you can plant closer together. 
• Raised beds don’t compact the soil because you’re never stepping on the beds. 
• Raised beds have fewer weeds and are easier to care for and to water. 
• Raised beds identify where the paths and garden beds are so they’re less likely to get trampled by pets and kids. 

Now that we’ve established why raised garden beds are a great addition to your landscape design, let’s explore creative bed garden ideas and tips. 

Wood Raised Garden Bed
Image courtesy of Yorkshire Garden Services

1. Create a Raised Garden Bed with Various Points of Interest 

Yorkshire Gardens wanted to create a raised bed garden with a wood frame, numerous levels, and various points of interest. The garden is on a wide slope, so they broke up the space using rustic sleepers to create several raised beds with steps leading to different zones.

A layer of moisture-absorbing wood chips creates a practical and decorative touch. They also used the sleepers to create a winding path throughout the garden, marrying together the various areas. 

An Enchanting Garden with Brick Pavers and Trellis
Image courtesy of Ardent Gardener Landscape Design

2. Define the Entrance with a Trellis

Ardent Gardener Landscape Design designed this beautiful traditional garden in Salt Lake City, Utah. This garden bed design boasts a brick border, nutrient-rich soil, an assortment of vegetables and herbs, and a latticed trellis that supports climbing vines while defining the pathway. 

Vertical-Tiered Rooftop Growing Space
Image courtesy of Brent Riechers Landscape Design

3. Go Vertical in Small Spaces

Brent Riechers designed a contemporary full-sun rooftop growing space with tiered levels of edible plants and herbs in elongated wood planter boxes with a sleek finish. When an in-ground garden isn’t possible, a kitchen garden on an outdoor deck is a simple way to provide close access to the season’s bountiful harvest. Ensure adequate drainage holes growing space between plants.

Side Yard Fruit and Vegetable Garden with Steel Planters
Image courtesy of Huettle Landscape Architecture

4. Provide Adequate Space for Access & Foot Traffic

Huettle Landscape Architects used a side yard to create a pathway that leads to a stunning contemporary fruit and vegetable garden with Corten Steel Planters at the base. The architectural metal planters keep the design clean, elegant, and modern, while the wood fence and stone add a touch of rustic charm. 

Geometrical Shapes in a Wooden Garden Bed
Image courtesy of Casa Smith Designs

5. Make a Statement with a Unique Design

Make a statement with your garden beds using unique and creative designs incorporating different shapes. Casa Smith designed and built this raised bed with pressure-treated wood, everyday gardening items found in a local hardware store, and a star-shaped central area for added interest. 

Outdoor Seating Area
Image courtesy of Kate Gould Gardens

8. Create a Raised Garden Bed with Built-In Seating in Your Outdoor Space

Consider a raised garden bed with built-in seating for a whimsical and playful touch. This design combines the practicality of a garden bed with the comfort of seating, creating the perfect place for relaxation and enjoyment. Kate Gould designed this calming garden with raised vegetable beds, lovely florals, and vines for privacy.

Southwestern Floral Gardening 
Image courtesy of Robinette Architecture

9. Embrace a Southwestern Vibe

This breathtaking floral garden adds vivid, bright colors that strongly contrast the large stones at the base and surrounding desert landscape. Robinette Architecture designed a curving floral gardening bed that extends out and pulls in the curves from the exterior archways.
RELATED POST: Southwestern Outdoor Ideas

Contemporary Raised Garden Beds
Image courtesy of Outside Spaces

10. Take a Contemporary Approach with White Concrete

 James Brunton-Smith designed this modern outdoor edible garden with raised planters for easy access. A simple contemporary planting scheme was specified to soften the built form and to introduce biodiversity to the space.

Outdoor Seating Area Surrounded by Lavender
Image courtesy of Kate Gould Gardens

13. Surround Your Seating Area with Lavender

This shaded outdoor seating area, designed by Kate Gould, is surrounded by a lush growth of lavender that provides privacy and fragrant blooms. Lavender is versatile as it’s easy to grow, requires minimal maintenance, and thrives in full sun and well-drained garden soil. 

Lavender is also a natural pest deterrent as its strong scent naturally repels many pests, including mosquitoes, moths, and flies. Planting lavender around your garden can help keep these pests at bay.

Rustic Outdoor Garden Planters
Image courtesy of Alderwood Landscaping

14. Incorporate Multiple Raised Beds for Large Backyard Areas

Alderwood Landscaping brought in many wooden raised beds and provided protective fencing from wildlife for this rural retreat. If you go this route, use naturally rot-resistant woods like cedar or redwood and avoid woods preserved with toxins, such as creosote-soaked railroad ties. 

Multiple Layers in Landscape Design
Image courtesy of Yorkshire Garden Services

15. Consider a Tiered Raised Garden Bed if you Have a Slope

One popular modern design is the tiered raised garden bed. This multi-level design adds depth and dimension to your garden, creating a visually striking display. The tiered structure also allows for efficient use of space, making it an excellent choice for small yards or urban gardens. 

Circular Flower and Herb Garden
Image courtesy of The Arrow Shop

16. Use Circular Shapes as a Focal Point

For a decorative touch, consider the circular raised garden bed. This design adds visual interest to your outdoor space and creates a focal point within your garden. 

The circular shape allows easy access from all sides, making it convenient for planting, tending, and harvesting. Professional gardeners favor curves in the garden as they are visually soothing and compelling.

Farmhouse-Inspired Outdoor Gardening Area
Image courtesy of Bugaev Gardens

17. Incorporate Raised Garden Planters with Texture

A traditional garden in Moscow with raised garden resin wicker baskets. Moisture is a primary concern with this type of planter, and proper lining and drainage are important considerations when you use wicker baskets to plant flowers.

Lush and Tropical Ferns in an Outdoor Dining Area
Image courtesy of Kate Gould Gardens

18. Consider Add Ferns for a Splash of Lush Greenery

Ferns are a great addition to an outdoor garden and are the easiest way to add lush and vibrant greenery. Fern thrives in shady areas, which also makes them a perfect choice for gardens that do not receive direct sunlight.  

Spiral Herb Garden
Image courtesy of Plantura Garden

19. Design a Spiral Herb Garden

This eye-catching layout adds visual interest and creates a focal point within your outdoor space. The spiral shape allows for easy access and efficient use of space, making it an excellent choice for aesthetics and functionality.

Lighting Throughout an Outdoor Garden | Raised Garden Bed Ideas
Image courtesy of Kate Gould Gardens

20. Raised Garden Bed Ideas & Lighting

Consider installing lighting fixtures or solar-powered lights to illuminate your garden beds at night. This adds a magical ambiance to your outdoor space and allows you to enjoy your garden after the sun goes down.

Raised Bed Garden Design
Image courtesy of The Times UK

21. Use Quality Materials in Your Bed Projects

Whether you choose wood, metal, concrete blocks, or plastic, use durable and long-lasting, high-quality materials. This will ensure the longevity of your garden beds and prevent any issues down the line.

Rustic Garden Area
Image courtesy of Locati Architects

22. Incorporate Garden Edging

Edging is a great way to create a polished and finished look for your garden bed plans and helps define and separate different areas of your outdoor space. From simple wood and natural stones to decorative metal, cinder blocks, or plastic edging, there are plenty of options to choose from that will suit your style and preferences. Consider using a stock tank for your garden bed planters for a rustic vibe. 
RELATED POST: Rustic Exterior Home Ideas

Wood Raised Garden Area Designed by Red Eagle Construction
Image courtesy of Houzz

23. Consider Irrigation Options

Raised garden beds require regular watering, so consider installing an irrigation system to make the process more efficient. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are excellent options for delivering water directly to the roots of your plants.

Greenhouse with Wood Planters and Cozy Seating Area
Image courtesy of RealHomes

24. Raised Beds in a Greenhouse to Prolong the Growing Season

Greenhouses are the perfect way to raise summer crops that are not frost-hardy – think tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and cucumbers. Michigan-based Concetti built this beautiful natural-wood raised garden bed in a greenhouse with a sitting area.

Courtyard Surrounded by White Florals | Karen Rogers Design
Photo courtesy of Houzz

25. Surround your Outdoor Dining Area with a Raised Flower Garden

This quaint and picturesque outdoor dining area is in the backyard area of a charming country home. A circular raised bed is filled to the brim with a gorgeous array of white blooms.

Modern Outdoor Seating & Dining Area
Image courtesy of Kate Gould Gardens

26. Modern Raised Bed Gardens

Classic raised garden bed designs are a great option for a timeless and traditional look. These designs are characterized by their simplicity and functionality, making them popular among gardeners.

Raised Garden Bed Ideas
Image courtesy of This Old House

27. Mulch and Weed Regularly

Apply a layer of organic mulch around your plants to help retain moisture and suppress weed growth. Regularly weed your garden beds to prevent competing plants from taking over.
RELATED: Landscaping Ideas

FAQ’s 

Where should a raised garden bed be built? 

“A raised bed can be placed in your front yard, backyard, or side yard. If you plan to grow edibles, the location of the bed should receive a generous amount of sunlight. Experts recommend a north-south orientation for the optimum light conditions. Many homeowners prefer to locate their raised beds near the kitchen, so they only have to walk a few steps out the door to gather fresh herbs and veggies.” – Landscaping Network. 

What do I put on the bottom of a raised garden bed?

“The materials recommended for lining your raised garden bed will vary based on several factors, including the type of bed, your garden goals, and the environment you’re growing in. Popular choices include the following.” –  Grounds Guys

1. Wide-mesh hardware cloth

2. Stainless steel gopher or rat mesh

3. Landscape fabric

4. Burlap sack

5. Newspaper or cardboard

How deep should a raised vegetable garden bed be?

“Raised vegetable beds should be at least 8 to 12 inches deep. However, they can be deeper if you have mobility problems or poor growing soil drainage. In the latter case, you can back-fill the raised bed with a porous growing material.” –  Homes & Gardens.

 What grows best in a raised garden bed?

“Raised beds are the ideal place to grow herbs, leafy greens, root crops, and fruit for everyday use inside the kitchen—plus, some beautiful flowers to attract pollinators.” – Gardenary 

Consider growing root vegetables, leafy greens, peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant. Avoid plants that take up a lot of space, like pumpkins, watermelons, and winter squash. 

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Sources

Canadian Log Homes uses only high-quality sources to support the facts in our articles. 

Making a Raised Garden Bed. The National Gardening Association.

Nardozzi, Charlie. Problem Solving Raised Beds. March 12, 2021. https://garden.org/learn/articles/view/4518/Problem-S lving-Raised-Beds/ 

Landscaping Network. Raised Garden Beds.