Garden Decor Series
Tips for using art effectively in the yard or garden
What do you have in the way of garden decor? If you’ve had it for a few years, do you still like it? Does it create the right “look” you want in the yard or garden? Those are the questions I asked myself as I was cleaning out my garden shed. I found things I thought were lost; other things I had completely forgotten about. Fond memories as I hung up the wind chimes my mother had given me.
Whatever your favorite things are, the reason you put it in a certain spot each summer is because it just looks good there. More than just liking it, your garden art piece creates the ambiance you want for a certain space. It can charm, inspire or produce a laugh or two.
Match garden decor to a theme or ‘style’
Garden decor is meant to compliment the scenery. To fit right in as though it belonged there.
But art is also very personal in nature, as is your garden. So how can you get the most benefit from your outdoor art ? What are some ways to arrange or display your ornaments so that they are making the right statement about your garden?
My problem, is that I like a little bit of everything. I like vintage, and country and rustic. And for a time, my yard reflected that. It was a hodge podge. No wonder my garden didn’t look like the cover of Sunset Magazine! I happen to live in the North, which may have been part of the problem.
I just didn’t grasp the principles of design. At some point, I realized that when similar things are used in harmony, that’s when you get the effect. It doesn’t mean you can’t use the garden decor you love. Only be more selective in where you use those objects or what you pair them with and they’ll have a lot more impact.
There’s a fair variety of yard art available commercially as well as from local artisans to give your garden its sense of personality. It’s up to you to decide what that personality should be. Then, select your garden decor accordingly. What look or “feel” do you want your outdoor spaces to have? While your garden certainly doesn’t have to match your indoor decorating preferences, styles like French Country, Vintage, rustic/farm, or English/cottage transfer beautifully to a garden setting.
What’s your yard saying to you?
Of course your backyard or garden may already be sending you signals! The graceful canopy of a certain tree, for example. Or a special, natural feature on your lot. Maybe it’s a formal hedge or the perfectly straight row of flower beds lined up against the back fence. Your yard or garden most likely has a certain appeal. You simply work with what already exists. (not that you can’t change that!)
Little Accent Pieces in the garden
Once you’ve decided on a theme, you simply start adding decor little by little. Start with accent pieces that nestle in among the shrubs or hang out with your planters on the front porch. Consider color and style. Is the ornament or art piece formal or informal? Place it where it blends in or just naturally “fits”.
Using salvage as garden decor
Vintage is a very popular trend for both indoor and outdoor decor. But it’s a bit more challenging to use larger items such as sculptures or statues or even bathtubs, and do it well. Due to the size or other unique features, they’ll be the center of attention. You don’t want to over do it, so it’s wise to use them sparingly in the landscape.
These homeowners did a pretty good job. I particularly love their choice of hydrangea, because they balance out the tub. In other words…you don’t just ‘see’ the tub. Visually, it’s one main artistic feature. It also blends in with surrounding vegetation, as well as the style and color of the home.
Here’s a great way to decorate an old fence. See how it harmonizes with the rusty, old vintage bike? Even the casual flower choice adds to the charm. However, if it was a crisp, white picket fence, I would definitely spray paint the bike frame a cheerful color. It all depends on the ambiance you want to achieve in your garden.
What about that one annoying spot where nothing will grow? You’ve quit trying. But you know that corner just needs “something”. That’s a great place for a larger salvage piece, sculpture or little grouping (called a “vignette”). Use flower pots to fill in around it and turn that lousy spot into a unique focal point.
Again, displaying something big or bulky is going to be really noticeable, so make sure it truly fits. Then, it will pack a punch and visitors to your yard will love it!
Using other household items as garden decor
Not everything needs to big and bold to make a statement. It’s fun to add some smaller decor items that are waiting to be discovered along the garden path. It’s a great way to introduce children to the garden by letting them “find” hidden things, as well insects and other delights.
TIP: plastic figurines and metal items used as household decor work well in the garden. They can be found at thrift stores or garage sales. Resin objects should be treated with a spray called Spar Urethane to protect them and prevent them from fading.
Brass, thrift-store butterfly artfully spray-painted
Little blue sparrows are decorative votive candle holders. They look pretty content to be after bugs and worms. Your presence in the garden doesn’t bother them a bit!
Conclusion
As you prepare your yard and flower beds for summer, consider how you might use your garden decor a little differently than you have in the past. Remember, garden art is meant to compliment the scenery. Just because you have a certain theme in mind does not limit your imagination in the least!
Whether its figurines, accent pieces, dish flowers or salvage, what matters most is how they harmonize together to make one big impression. Take your time and look for the right pieces. Don’t over do it.
The point is whatever inspires you to spend more time in the yard or garden. And to create a welcoming place where guests are greeted with a smile.
Related posts on garden decor:
“The Best Way to Display Vintage Tools“
“Make a Wheelbarrow Full of Sunshine“
“How to Find Garden Decor at the Thrift Store“
Beautifully written, and illustrated with great photos!
Blessings!
DaunMichelle
Thank you so much! When starting something new, it’s really helpful to get feedback. I appreciate the time you took to read the post and respond.
Thank you for your kind words!
I have a large galvanized tub that I would like to incorporate into my flower beds in a clever way, I just haven’t found the right thing. Any suggestions? Would you make it permanent or temporary?
Hi Lydia: Thanks so much for reading my post. Hope you enjoyed it. galvanized tubs make terrific planters and are so appealing in the garden. As for what to plant in it…look for something that would compliment and stand out from your flower bed. I don’t know what you are planting, but to make the tub ‘pop’ go with flowers and foliage that contrast what you’ve planted in the beds. If you have a particular ‘theme’ going, something that would tie in color-wise. You could plant a few tall snap dragons in the middle and shorter flowers around them…like the trailing petunias and lobelia to drape over the edge. If the flowers in your bed are tall, you don’t want them to conceal the tub, so you could set your tub on some type of riser sturdy enough for the weight, so it’s more visible. Just some thoughts. Please send me a pic when your tub is in full bloom and I’ll post it for the world to see!
Fortunately, living in the NW I’m surrounded by the best plant growing grounds and garden inspiration. Designing a garden is really an artistic adventure…plant heights, color combinations, balance and design. I’ve pretty much got that figured out, and still I find a place for new plants each year! It’s the garden art that appeals to me now…metal flowers on stakes, birdhouses, signs , old pots, etc. These are the things that give a garden personality and interest. Your blog came around at the perfect time. I’m very interested to see what new garden art you come up with…keep it coming.
Thanks for stopping by and for the encouraging words. The NW, climate wise, is indeed one of the best places for lush gardens. It takes some time for a landscape design to start to emerge which in turn inspires the gardener. The more you think about it, the more it expands! (ha…that seems to be the way things go!) ~ Kristen
Thoroughly enjoyed your article. Like the idea of looking at the yard this new season and revisiting what you might want to do differently. I also liked your emphasis on yard art complimenting the environment. My yard is rustic rural with walnut trees and squirrels. Any suggestions? I’m in N Calif. , just coming out years of drought.
Thanks for visiting my site, Peggy. Gardens and outdoor spaces are seldom a once and done…but rather on-going projects. If you like the rustic country look, and love the type of natural vegetation around you, then think in terms of yard art and designs that “look” country/rural. Using natural objects like logs or stones to line a pathway for example give an area ‘shape’/definition. What would you like to see when you look out the window or step out onto the porch? Could your yard benefit from a pop of color? If you have a wooden fence that could be painted, etc. Maybe creating a vignette (little grouping paired with one big focal point object) to fill in a blank space…or to draw the eye to the garden area. What creative thing can be done using what you have on hand (old tools) or using it in a different way or different location? A scarecrow doesn’t have to look like fall or be made of straw. You could dress it up to look like a cowboy or cow girl. Look for accent pieces at thrift stores or garage sales or your local facebook marketplace. An old wagon, cart, or wine barrel, or wagon wheel that you can set pots of flowers around? What most people do is just start from their front porch and expand from there, or a certain corner of the yard and work outwards. It doesn’t take much for things to start falling into place.
Loved so many new ideas. Thank you.
Aw…thank you so much. I love sharing my passion. Thanks for visiting “Make it a Garden”
supporting your new blog! love it! I’ve gotten too busy to care for my gardens, and hope to fill them up w ith decor again! Love from MI! mj
Awe, thank you so much. I really do value your input! It’s always nice to know if what I write resonates with a reader. Your remarks have made my day. Have fun making things for your garden!