Garden Theme
What comes to your mind when you look at the photo above? Imagine coming to this house for a friend’s baby shower. The roses are neatly trimmed and you can smell their fragrance as you approach the front porch. The crisp white wishing well looks so charming in this little nook. When the hostess opens the door the first words out of my mouth are: “I love your roses!”
But in reality, its more than ‘just’ the roses. I’m responding to the whole thing. The delicate pink colors convey a soft, feminine touch. The white paint is clean and refreshing and provides a neutral background for the flowers to pop. The wishing well is almost storybook cottage. On a sunny day like this, I’d wish we could all sit outside and enjoy the garden, but that’s just the type of person I am.
So, you see how a theme compliments the garden. Done with some forethought, nothing should detract from it, but rather convey a sense of style and personality.
The purpose of a garden theme
Essentially, a ‘theme’ is a motif or decorating style. A lot of the same principles for interior decorating apply to the garden as well. There’s decor for practically every style. You see it in the design of a fence, brick pavers, outdoor furniture, fountains and garden art. They’re designed this way on purpose to give outdoor spaces a certain “look” and “feel”.
Like indoor spaces that make you feel comfy-cozy, outdoor spaces can have the same effect. Think of recent decorating trends: Vintage, Shabby Chic, Farmhouse, French Country etc. The major difference is that a garden –being a garden–is a place where your imagination really can run wild!
So, what kind of setting inspires you the most? If you’d like your garden to have that certain ambiance about it, the first thing for you to think about is a ‘theme’. So, what kind of setting inspires you the most? Re-junvenates you, and makes you happy?
How do you decide on a ‘theme’?
Well, that all depends on you. Are you more of a formal, or informal person? Some people like to have a backyard theme that compliments the style of their house. Other people prefer to decorate according to their location. For instance, someone living in the country might naturally go “rustic”. They’ve got a post and rail type fence, a chain saw- carved bear sculpture, an old wagon wheel leaning up against the side of their porch.
By contrast, visit someone who lives near the ocean. They live there because they love the water. Their backyard decor might incorporate a few beach-related items…a mermaid, starfish, an old buoy turned into a planter; you get the picture.
Where do you start?
Keep it simple. Don’t try to collect everything you think you need right away. The best garden themes grow and develop over time with just the right pieces.
The good news is that you don’t have to commit the entire garden—especially if you have a large backyard– or expansive open spaces. Maybe you devote part of your yard to a dog run, a vegetable garden or greenhouse. Still, there’s likely a little corner that you can develop into a nice a semi-private spot for reading or even napping on a warm day.
So where do you begin? Start with a simple, inexpensive accent piece to display among your flowers. Something to get your theme started without a huge investment. Place it in the vicinity of the porch or front sidewalk where it would most likely be seen and enjoyed. Here are a couple of examples:
A garden theme is a reflection of you
Whether its a fantasy motif with elves and fairies or a more formal, elegant look, a garden theme is a first and foremost a reflection of your personality. Of course most of us like a lot of different things, so this isn’t meant to be restrictive by any means. Interestingly, several styles go together quite well. If you like country cottage and vintage, simply look for vintage things that are related to a cottage garden. Voila!
You just have to be a little careful or you’ll end up with a hodgepodge that doesn’t convey style or personality at all!
The use of color and texture
When considering a certain theme, remember the power of color. If you’ve recently repainted a room in your house, you’ve put a lot of thought into the mood of a color.
The use of color in the garden is very similar. I’m re-using this photo from the top because it’s such a good illustration. The blush-pink roses and the magenta of the flowering shrub are colors associated with romance. The crisp, clean white of the wishing well is definitely ‘cottage’.
The photo below is a woodsy garden and patio area. Notice the type of flowers and shrubs are bushy and casually planted as they might appear in nature. The boulders give great texture and character to the environment. Colors are mainly yellow, red and orange that make this little garden nook feel sunny and bright. It achieves a completely different ambiance.
Finally, here’s a relaxing shady spot to escape the afternoon heat. The greenery softens the wood fence and makes it fade into the background. The pale blue colors of the furniture are cool and refreshing tones that makes this space so irresistibly inviting.
Where to get decor and materials
Feel free to shop around. While you can buy new, the most charming decorative items are found at a flea market, thrift store or antique shop. And often at garage sales where you come upon that “surprise” find.
Remember, you can fix up practically anything. Embellish it with a touch of art or even just a coat of spray paint to make it fit your garden motif.
As for materials, this blog always recommends your local re-store, like the Habitat for Humanity Re-store. Re-stores are like a thrift store for remnant building materials. Think lumber, fixtures, leftover concrete mix, trim boards, tools, bricks, the list goes on and on. If you don’t need a lot of something, you just might find what you need for at a re-store for less!
Some Garden Themes to consider
Here are some posts by Make it a Garden that relate to various garden themes along with other helpful tips and ideas. I hope you’ll find something that inspires you to get started on the garden of your dreams.
How to create the perfect rustic garden
How to get the cottage garden look on a budget
The Art of the Flea Market Garden
How to shop for garden treasures
Getting the most out of your garden decor
DON’T FORGET YOUR FREEBIE! If you enjoyed this article, why not be a part of our little garden and art community? Scroll down just a bit to sign up. You’ll receive “10 Artistic Ways to Beautify your Yard or Garden”, free. Plus our monthly newsletter. No weeds (or advertising), just delightful garden and art-related content.
Kristen, MIAG Editor
