Raised beds are so ubiquitous in vegetable gardens these days that we rarely stop to consider their actual purpose. Their most obvious use is to create a garden bed with improved drainage, which is beneficial for many crops, but raised beds can serve other purposes, as well. They make vegetable gardening just a bit easier on our backs, give us an option to garden in places we otherwise could not and can make it easier to combat garden pests. At the very least, they define a garden bed and keep amended soil from spreading beyond its intended boundary. But also, they just plain look good. Raised beds lend an air of organization and structure to a veggie patch, turning a utilitarian space into a more substantial focal point in our gardens. While most raised beds are made out of planks or beams of wood, they don’t have to be. Here is a range of beds to serve as inspiration for your garden.

Raise them up for easy access

These tall raised beds were designed with the disabled in mind. Even people confined to wheelchairs can grow their own flowers and veggies when the garden is raised to table height. These plantings are made even more interesting with decorative structures made out of colorfully painted bamboo stakes.

Fine-crafted details enhance the functionality and the appearance

These gardeners incorporated their raised beds into an attractive overall structure with fencing and a gate that keeps out deer and other pests. The fence panels swing open for easy access. The extra-tall height of the beds means that they don’t have to get on their hands and knees to work in the garden.

Dress it up for bigger impact

This raised bed made out of simple boards may be humble, but it fits right into this casual, cottage-style garden. And it gets a big boost of interest from the matching picket fence, a trimming of colorful flowers, and a bright blue tuteur for climbing vines. The brick paths eliminate the need for weeding.

Bricks are timeless and easy

Brick-flanked beds are easy to build and lend a traditional cottage garden vibe to a veggie patch. The contrast of the bricks against the flagstones makes the beds even more attractive.

Beams are sturdy and comfortable

This collection of beds was constructed with hefty wooden beams that will last for quite a few years. A bonus is that the wideness of the beams provides a comfortable place to sit while weeding or sowing seeds.

Stone looks good everywhere

This stone-wall raised bed is a substantial and attractive addition to an overall garden design. It lends itself to both veggies and ornamental plants, making it a versatile design element.

Long and skinny beds allow easy access

Raised beds should generally be just wide enough that you can reach the middle of the bed from each side without stepping into the soil, but you don’t need to limit their length. These long timber beds supply plenty of room for a big crop of veggies.