Now is the perfect time to prepare your garden for the summer season, but be cautious of these frequent mistakes that might be cheapening the look of your outdoor space. By Angela Patrone, Senior Lifestyle Reporter
PUBLISHED: 04:13, Sat, Jun 20, 2026
5 Common Garden Features to Remove
When creating a garden, it's quite common to become overly enthusiastic about incorporating numerous elements. Effective landscaping can create a beautiful aesthetic and enhance a home's value. It's not necessary to spend a fortune for the perfect garden; rather, it's about selecting pieces that complement each other for a cohesive, stylish environment. Yet, in a strong effort to embrace the latest trends, many gardeners find themselves with a space that appears cheap and poorly thought out. Here are a few things you may want to remove from your garden if you wish to keep your outdoor space from detracting from your home's curb appeal.
Too Many Garden Figurines
Garden gnomes or strange-looking fairies can damage the overall look of a garden, especially if you like a modern aesthetic. Gardening expert and CEO of TN Nurseries Tammy Sons said: “Overuse of garden figurines is certainly one of the most common things that make a yard look cheap.” She told Home and Gardens: “It is best to avoid using too many bright plastic figurines or decorative accents, as this can appear tacky.”
Dated or Damaged Furniture
It's well-understood that contemporary outdoor furniture requires consistent care to maintain its appearance. Therefore, it's not surprising that furniture sets that are old, damaged, or affected by moss, algae or mould can significantly detract from the appeal of your garden. Katherine Aul Cervoni, landscaper and founder of Staghorn NYC Design explained to Livingetc: “Your patio’s aesthetic also automatically looks cheaper if you’re hanging on to dated or damaged furniture pieces. I don’t mean a lovely, antique iron bench. Instead, I mean frayed wicker, rotted inexpensive wood, or scratched, warped, and faded plastic.” Instead of just giving your worn-out furniture a quick clean or a new coat of paint, opt for high-quality, durable materials to achieve a more luxurious appearance when purchasing new garden furniture.
Fountains or Ponds That Are Not Maintained
Water features provide a sensory experience in the garden that quickly calms the mind and encourages relaxation for everyone. Although the idea of a bubbling fountain appears tranquil, celebrity landscape designer Stephen Block of Inner Gardens warned that maintaining fountains and ponds can be somewhat challenging and, if not done correctly, can cheapen gardens. He told Veranda, “They require special care that your gardener likely will not be able to provide, koi ponds especially. The birds and the raccoons will win.” A birdbath, which is much easier to clean, could be a more sustainable option. Plus, it invites more birds into your yard, providing hours of fun and joy.
Mismatched Materials
It can be desirable to use different landscaping materials to zone garden spaces. This problem frequently happens when a new landscaping element is added to the garden, yet it doesn't align with the current design. Design experts at Centurion Brands claimed: “Mixed materials in pathways and hardscaping sometimes create a cheap, disorganised look.” Instead, it is best to use materials that tonally complement each other but aren’t too similar. A cohesive scheme is not just about the colour of materials but also texture, scale, and laying pattern. These all have a big impact on how materials complement each other.
Clear Use of Plastic
Plastic is a “big no-no in the garden”, according to Bryan Clayton, landscaping expert and CEO of GreenPal. He told Gardening Know How, “Whether it's edging, plant markers, or decorative elements, plastic just screams low-budget. It fades, cracks, and just doesn't age well.” He said that gardeners are better off investing in natural or high-quality materials that stand the test of time. Plastic is also less sustainable than many other materials and is often not recycled. However, one of the main reasons gardeners opt for plastic is its lower cost. Plastic planters and patio furniture, for example, are much cheaper than those made from ceramics, wood, metal, or wicker. A great way to cut down on material costs is by choosing secondhand vintage items. Not only are they more affordable than brand new ones, but they also bring unique character and a touch of history to your garden.
