Herbs are useful garden plants, but they are most useful when they are easy to reach. A small bed or a few pots near the kitchen door can be better than a large herb garden at the far end of the garden.
Choose the herbs you actually use
Parsley, chives, thyme, rosemary and mint are good starting points for many kitchens. Basil can also be grown outside in warm weather, although it prefers more shelter and warmth than hardy herbs.
Use pots where necessary
Pots are useful on a terrace or beside a back door. They also make it easier to control vigorous plants. Mint, in particular, can spread quickly in open ground and is often easier to manage in a container.
Sun and drainage
Many Mediterranean herbs prefer a sunny position and soil that drains freely. Rosemary and thyme dislike sitting in wet ground. Parsley and chives are usually happier with a little more moisture.
Pick regularly
Regular harvesting encourages many herbs to produce fresh growth. Take small amounts when you need them rather than allowing plants to become large and woody before cutting them back.
A kitchen herb garden can be very simple. Put a few reliable plants in the right place and they are likely to be used much more often.