If you are going to redesign your garden space and want an easy and cost effective way to add some structures to the area why not use railway sleepers? It used to be the case that railway sleepers could be acquired for free as the railway companies needed to replace them at certain intervals and so they were surplus to requirements but now in most cases they have to be bought from a reclamation site or garden centre.
Railway sleepers can be used in many ways in a domestic setting. Many people use them for steps or stacked as a retaining wall. It is a good idea to treat them with a wood preservative to prolong their life if used for this purpose as they may be in contact with soil causing them to remain damp. If used for steps it is important to attach a slip resistant edging material onto the sleeper as they can get slippery in wet weather.
Raised flower beds can be quickly constructed from sleepers and if lined with polythene will last for years and make gardening much easier for those with reduced mobility.
Some talented individuals use railway sleepers to make rustic furniture for the garden. Once sanded and painted they make lovely strong seating and when topped with colourful cushions look amazing in any garden.