9 garden sleepers ideas to transform your outdoor space

Upgrade your outdoor space with these brilliant garden sleepers ideas from other homeowners!

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Not only are garden sleepers a robust solution for many outdoor features, but their neat, straight edges will also make sure an orderly finish to your garden.

Get some inspiration from these garden sleeper ideas and enjoy a graceful outdoor space in no time. From paths to benches, and steps to borders, garden sleepers weather over time to offer a charming rustic feel that’s perfect for country-style spaces.

To get the lowdown on garden landscaping costs, take a look at our comprehensive guide to the average costs of garden landscaping. Then, scroll through these brilliant and stylish garden sleeper ideas for creating your perfect outdoor space.

1. Rustic garden sleepers

Need to disguise an ugly backdrop or view in your garden? Or perhaps you simply want to create a quirky focal point? Then try this railway sleeper garden idea. Create a wall of rustic sleepers that vary in size and enjoy the raw, organic texture they bring to your space.

Contrast the rough texture of the sleepers with some exotic, glossy leafed plants and you’ll have a unique and eye-catching feature that will distract from any eyesore.

Hire a local landscaper who can build a sleeper wall for you.

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2. Low, sleek garden sleepers

Ideas for using railway sleepers in the garden

Stuck on how to bring interest to your boring back garden? Consider adding smart railway sleepers for a quirky twist on flower beds or borders.

Single sleepers set low into the ground can help neatly define different levels or zones in the lawned part of your garden, such as play areas and sunny seating spots.

3. Railway sleepers to frame a patio

For a modern alfresco dining area, frame your patio with a sleek sleeper border for a tidy and graceful finish. Then you can extend the sleepers onto the steps and surrounding planters for a cohesive feel.

Create a smart planter beside your outdoor dining area, and add scented plants or herbs that you can easily snip and sprinkle over your delicious dishes.

If you're considering a patio in your garden, check out our cost guide.

How much does it cost to lay a new patio?

Patio laying: Cost breakdown [year]

So exactly how much work is even involved in laying a patio? Patio installation can be a great way to extend your usable space, making a more permanent way to enjoy your garden when the weather in the UK lets you be outside. All you need to know about the costs associated with laying a patio including materials, labour and time frames.

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4. Use railway sleepers for a vegetable patch

Thick, sturdy sleepers are fantastic for creating orderly and robust vegetable plots. Simply create a frame the size of your choice, fill with good-quality compost and get planting.

Ensure to space your veggie plots out so you have plenty of space to walk and manoeuvre a wheelbarrow between them.

Cost of building a raised garden bed

Thinking of adding a veg patch to your garden? Raised beds are an easy and relatively cost-effective way to get started. They can also create the right conditions for your plants to thrive. But what is the cost of building a raised garden bed? To help you budget for this project, we've put together a practical price guide including tips and tricks for the best garden beds.

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5. Garden sleeper steps

Wide, chunky sleepers are ideal for garden steps as they offer a softer alternative to hard stone.

What’s more, they will weather gracefully over time and add a charming silvery tone to your outdoor area. As wood can become slippery when wet, team your sleeper steps with a gravel or grass tread for extra grip.

6. Raised sleepers for flower beds

If you’re planning on doing a lot of regular gardening, such as growing vegetables or maintaining healthy flowers, it’s worth building sleeper beds up to a height that’s comfortable for digging and pruning.

When the raised sleeper beds aren’t being used for plants, they can be turned into bench seating by simply adding planks of wood and outdoor cushions across the top of them. Seek advice from our professional landscapers on how best to use garden sleepers in your outdoor space.

7. Sleepers for seating

Use garden sleepers to create your very own cosy seating area. If you’re an experienced DIYer and love working with wood, then this will be a great project for you to get your teeth stuck into it.

The sleepers create a stylish and rustic look that will be an asset to your garden. For more garden seating ideas, we've got you covered here.

Creative garden seating ideas for your outside space

The key is to find seating that not only suits your budget, but also complements the overall style and theme of your garden. Let’s take a look at some great ideas that will transform your outdoor space into a haven of relaxation and beauty. Garden seating ideas on a budget Firstly, consider

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8. Garden sleeper stepping stones

If your lawn is in need of some new stepping stones or you require a path from one part of your garden to another, then use sleepers to create a practical wide pathway.

Dig them into the ground to make sure they are level with your lawn to avoid any tripping hazards.