Our house has a 4×5-square meter front lawn with provision for carport, and from the beginning, we wanted to use part of that space as a small “patio” or garden area where we could relax. It’s a tiny spot, but it’s where we imagine ourselves spending slow afternoons, welcoming guests, or simply enjoying quiet moments with family.
To make it feel warm and inviting, we decided to decorate it with plants and add a few simple touches to create that cozy, homey feeling every time we step outside. Over time, though, the space started to look a little plain, and that’s when I felt the need to give it a makeover.
Refreshing this small corner of our front lawn wasn’t just about improving the look of our house — it was about creating a space where we could pause, talk, laugh, and spend meaningful time together as a family. A small garden can do so much in making a home feel alive and welcoming, and that’s exactly what we wanted for ours.
The front garden is only about 3×6 feet, so my goal was to keep everything easy and practical without spending too much. Here’s how we gave our front garden a budget-friendly makeover using just a few materials and some DIY effort.
Step 1: Searching for Inspiration
As always, I went to Pinterest to gather inspiration. I looked for simple, small-space garden ideas — borders, pebbles, warm lights, and simple greenery. Having pegs helped me plan the layout and choose the materials. And these are the ideas that I liked:
Step 2: Laying the Garden Edging
I began by laying out the garden edging to create a clean outline. This instantly defined the space, making it look more intentional even before any real work began. To keep the edging steady, I wet the soil, dug it, and buried the edging and only let 1/4 of it visible. This helped secure it in place and created a nice base for the next steps.
Step 3: Placing the Wooden Plank Border
I wanted the area to have a natural, handcrafted feel, so I used the left-over wood planks from my pallet fence project and sawed it 4 to 6 inches high. This will serve as a simple wooden border. Once the planks were ready, I placed them right behind the garden edging, arranging them at varying heights for a layered look. The varying heights added character without overwhelming the small space.
Step 4: Rearranging the Plants
Next, I moved the plants around to balance the height and color. I did not spend a penny on plants because my mom has all sorts of plants in her huge garden. I kept the taller plants at the back and the shorter ones near the front. Even small adjustments made a big difference — suddenly the space looked fuller, tidier, and more welcoming.
Step 5: Adding White Pebbles
To brighten the area and reduce mud splashes, I added white pebbles on top of the soil. This created a clean base and contrasted nicely with the green plants and wooden border. Since the area is beside our carpark, it’s exposed to movement, wind, and rain. To prevent the pebbles from scattering, I added a thin layer of resin to keep everything in place. It worked perfectly, no more messy pebbles!
Step 6: Finishing With String Lights
For the final touch, I added warm string lights around the border. At night, the whole spot now gives off a soft, cozy glow — perfect for quiet evenings, conversations with visitors, or just chilling at the garden table.
Materials Used & Total Expenses
Here’s a breakdown of all the materials I used for this DIY project and the total expenses.
- Garden Edging
- Wooden Planks
- Plants
- White Pebbles
- Resin
- String Lights
- Saw + Basic Tools
Reflection
This makeover reminded me that you don’t need a big yard, a lot of materials, or a big budget to create a relaxing outdoor nook. Even a small corner of your front lawn can become a cozy spot where you can unwind, read, talk with guests, or simply enjoy the plants.
If you want to see the whole transformation, I filmed everything and made a timelapse YouTube video of the makeover. Feel free to watch it for inspiration and ideas for your own small garden project!
