How to Get the “Look” You Love for Your Garden

Finding the starting point

The bleeding hearts did it! For a woman who couldn’t quite get the look she loved for her garden, the bleeding hearts provided some inspiration. We chatted for quite awhile at a summer craft show where I was selling my garden art. As she paused to look over my selection of bird baths and totem dish sculptures, I could tell she was thinking deeply about something specific she had in mind.

As we talked, she told me about her desire to have–in her words–a garden that had one specific ‘feel’ or ‘sense’ about it. The problem was, she couldn’t quite put her finger on it. “I like a little bit of everything”, she admitted. “But then, it never ‘looks’ like anything”, she said with a laugh. I had to agree, “That’s me, too!”, I said.

One day, her daughter pointed to the bleeding hearts arching gracefully over some ferns on the shady side of her house. “Mom, she said, “they remind me of those little English cottage gardens.” That’s all it took. The woman actually liked that “look”; she just didn’t know how to describe it. Suddenly, she found her starting point!

A theme serves a useful purpose

What is a theme? In garden terms, a theme is simply a decor style. I like to refer to it as “exterior decorating”. When it comes to themes, most people don’t want to go all out for one thing or another. They just want a few light touches. Just some of the characteristics that convey English cottage or woodland/rustic, for example.

Still, having a sense of what you want to accomplish is important. Imagine doing a kitchen remodel without really knowing the effect you’re after. Developing your backyard or garden is no different. Once you’ve honed in on the ‘look’ you love for your garden, it’s much easier to search for the right artistic elements to help achieve it. That’s your starting point.

Does that mean you have to give up the other things you like? Not necessarily. While you certainly don’t want to end up with a hodge-podge, there’s bits and pieces from other themes that, when used properly, blend together quite well. Regardless of what you decide on, always find a special place to display those things that are personally meaningful to you or attached to a fond memory.

How to figure out the “look” you love for the garden

Like your indoor projects, you’ll want to do some exploring to help spark your imagination. Deciding what you’d like to do with your backyard is kind of like redecorating your house. If you’re like me, you probably looked at a gazillion color swatches from the paint store. Maybe you invite a few people to come over to see what you’re doing and give you their opinions. You’re probably considering a few new pieces of furniture, as well.

Thinking about what you’d like to do with your backyard or outdoor spaces is much the same. Like your home, gardens are very personal. They should always be a reflection of YOU!

Some things to get you thinking…

Here are a few things to help you zero in on a theme or decor style for your yard or garden. As you go along, pay attention to what appeals to you and why. What kind of “place” would make you enjoy spending time there? After working through this little assessment, you’ll have your starting point.

• What are your personal decorating tastes? Many interior decor styles easily transfer to the outdoors…such as English Cottage, Vintage, Farm/Rustic, modern/contemporary. What garden style best defines you?
• Do you like formal or more informal settings?
• Match the house. Many people like to use styles and colors in the backyard that tie in with their home. They like their outdoor spaces to be an extension of indoor spaces.
• Match the location. Some people like garden themes that are a natural expression of their location. For example, if they live near the ocean, they might incorporate beach or ocean themes in the backyard or garden. It’s not a rule, just a personal preference.
• Try to pin-point your garden’s ambiance. How would you describe it? Ambiance refers to a certain “character”, “atmosphere”, or “vibes”. Is it something you like or something you want to change?
• Ask a friend or neighbor for their input. Do you know anyone who enjoys gardening and has a nice backyard?
• Look for ideas on-line such as on Pinterest (a popular site for creativity) Do a search on garden design or landscaping. You’ll discover what category the things you like fall into.
• Pick up a few magazines on garden design, particularly those featuring ideas that most appeal to you.

It’s a process to get the look you love for your garden

Remember, most of the pictures you see are of gardens that have been in a constant flux of transformation. It’s a process of experimentation to find what works best. As you go along, you may find yourself changing your mind on some things as the imagination starts to flow.

After you find your starting point, then it’s all about what to do next that builds upon it. How about a pathway? An arbor? A fire pit? Something you once thought would work, maybe won’t. Or, you discover something new you hadn’t thought of before. It all starts to fall into place.

Just like the woman with the bleeding hearts, your garden will also begin to “look like something” fairly quickly when you can define your style. Then, each thing you add–whether that is a new flower bed or some art work–contributes to that “look”.

So, take your time and enjoy the process along the way. Over time, you’ll see your garden become a more fun and inspiring place to spend time. I would also love to hear about your progress (as would other readers) because that’s how we encourage and inspire one another. So please drop me a line in the comments section.

Happy gardening!

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How to Get the Most Out of Your Garden Decor