So many times we get caught up in making our landscapes stunning that we forget some of the smaller details that add personality and charm.  Now that the pool, gazebo and deck are all in place, try turning your attention to the corners of your garden that are often forgotten—the small patio, the entrance to your garden shed, or underneath a huge tree. These are all opportunities to create charming vignettes that add a sense of intimacy and style to your larger garden. Gather some small pieces of furniture like benches, add colorful pottery and finish up with the perfect plants and accessories—you might find that these smaller spaces are the ones you seek out the most.

If you have a small balcony, patio or deck, start with a bench for seating. Then add small potted plants, ferny foliage and a sumptuous throw or pillow for a cozy nook. What could be more inviting?

Do you love color and an artsy, eclectic feel? Consider painting your fence or the side of your shed a vibrant color like this cobalt blue or purple, and then add a natural wooden bench with a colorful pillow and a grouping of potted plants.

How about an outside wall of your house under a covered patio or deck? You might not need additional seating in these areas, but that’s no reason to neglect them! Group some potted plants in elevated plant stands, and consider placing some simple topiary for added charm. These ivies and succulents have vastly different watering needs, but they are planted in separate pots in the plant stand—so take a tip from this gardener and mix ‘em up!

These garden vignettes create intimacy within larger spaces, inviting you to slow down, take a look and sit a spell—and we all need that, don’t we?