Garden Decor
Beyond the plants that you put in your garden there are lots of opportunities to bring a sense of style through decorating your garden area. The first place to start is with the design of the garden layout itself, then with the structures in the garden and then with the extra add-ons that you can place throughout the area.
Your blueprint is the most important place to begin because it has the biggest impact on setting the tone and style of your outdoor area and it is the hardest to change after you create your garden. Design goals need to be clear otherwise you will end up with contrasting style elements and miss out on the harmony a well match garden can provide. Whether you are going for a Classical French Baroque or Japanese Tea garden theme, stick with your style and the foundational elements will dictate much of your final outcome.
You also need to think about the visually impact that your layout will have. Do you have lots of curves leading to very linear shapes? Or do you have areas that follow unique themes but don’t provide for a natural transition between them? How are you using your paths? Do they lead you and your eyes to pleasing destinations? The visual elements of a design can be one of the harder things to get right at the paper design stage but it is critically important to work on these elements before moving into construction.
From raised planting beds to trellis and gazebos, adding structure and architecture to your garden design can add some dramatic style. Just imagine the style differences between a Victorian garden shed and a Japanese Pagoda and you get the idea of what a large difference just the right structure can make in your garden. Arbors, fences and walls, gates, bridges and outdoor furniture can all add their own style elements to your garden decor.
Many folks think of garden accessories as medium size objects that are easy to add and move around the garden. Garden statutes are a popular item and can range anywhere from Angles & Madonnas to fantasy items such as Gnomes and Leprechauns. Yard art of various types are also popular and these include items like whirligigs and recycled yard item items. Less is more when it comes to these types of items.
Your garden can probably support a large garden art element or two. These items often provide a strong visual anchor to an area. A garden fountain or other water feature provides visual, audio and wildlife benefits. A large statue might work well or even a more functional approach with garden furniture can fit the bill as well. Do make a considered decision prior to choosing a large and expensive design element because mistakes can be costly.
There are even easier items that you can add to your garden to add to the decor. Super easy items include bird feeders, rain gauges, stepping stones, garden stakes and wall hangings. Hanging planters and pots also make nice additions that are easy to mix and match to change seasons or styles.
Designing and decorating your garden can be a very enjoyable process and if you do a good job it will reward you for many years to come. Just remember to start with the fundamentals and to not go overboard on the garden gnomes and other garden statues. If your fundamentals are solid, you can easily make minor modifications to suite the changes in your design aspirations.
