10 Simple ways to give your garden extra character

Sometimes it really is the little things that make all the difference. That's why we came up with a simple guide to giving your garden that little something extra, all without reinventing the wheel.

Candles are idyllic for being a quick and easy way to add some character and charm to your garden on an evening. Not only do they ooze charm, but they can also be used for function as well; candles are a great way to gently light up your social settings, and citronella candles are a great asset to keeping away those pesky mosquitoes.

It's difficult to put it into words, but there's something so effortlessly uplifting about fairy lights, or string lights as some people refer to them as. Our favourites are solar powered fairy lights, as they look just as stunning, without needing to replace the batteries or turn them on and off.

The beauty of stones and pebbles is that they come in a multitude of shapes, sizes and colours. You could choose to introduce small pebbles into your flower beds or large stepping stones across the length of your garden. Stones and pebbles add a lovely relaxing tone to your garden, and when used in the right way can be reflective of the beach.

Gardens should be a reflection of you and your personal style, and ornaments are a great way to showcase this style. The beautiful thing about ornaments is that they come in so many sizes and varieties; from angels to animals and Buddhas to birdbaths, there's something to suit every style.

Whether you're an avid gardener, or a complete novice, potted plants are a much more straight forward alternative to planting in the ground. Depending on your level of experience, you could buy pre-potted plants, or you could plant your own. The most fun part is deciding which lovely plants you'll be choosing.

Soft furnishings like cushions and throws are a great way to add a pop of colour or texture to your garden without breaking the bank. The best thing about this is that if you eventually want to change the style of your garden, you can easily swap them out. Many retailers also now sell waterproof cushions, meaning that if you accidentally leave them out for a rainy night, they'll be okay.

Continuing with the theme of soft furnishings, outdoor rugs are now all the rage. If you've ventured down the gardening aisle in the past few years, you've probably seen a range of colourful rugs designed for the garden. The best thing about them gaining popularity is that now you can find garden rugs in almost any colour or design.

Water features are a brilliant way to add some charm and ambient noise to your garden. You can probably find small water features and fountains at your local garden centre. Some centres even have lovely displays so you can easily choose which feature to include in your new Zen garden.

Some people believe that wind chimes actually have the abilities to purify and enhance energy. Whether or not you believe that is completely up to you, but either way it's a lovely concept. Depending on your preference of sound, you can choose between metal and wooden wind chimes. Wooden wind chimes tend to have a deeper lower sound, which can be preferable if you have neighbours close by.

If you're more of a visual person, then a sun catcher could be more to your taste. The great thing about sun catchers is that they actually look lovely in any weather as they typically feature bold colour and beautiful glass work. They also come in a vast range of styles and designs, which means that you'll almost certainly be able to find a sun catcher to match your style.