8,327 Garden Decor

Even though it’s an outdoor space, the garden is much like any living room or bedroom — decorative accessories can help spruce it up. While the flowers and plants more than liven it up, adding extras like a fountain, bird feeder or garden sculpture can bring an additional focal point or much-needed variety and texture to an already beautiful space. When you look for your outdoor accessories, be sure to consider all your options and think about what works best for you.

As you decide what to purchase, one of the biggest things to avoid is an overcrowded space. Much like with any indoor room, adding too many accessories can make a space feel small and cluttered, even when you’re outdoors, so be sure to decorate accordingly. If you have a larger garden, an oversize fountain or statue makes a great statement piece, because it is dramatic and elegant in appearance. On the other hand, in a smaller space, an extra-large accessory can detract from the garden itself by distracting the viewer with too much clutter. It is important to consider proportion and flow; in a smaller garden, stick with a few smaller accessories, like a birdbath, birdhouse and wind chime, while a larger garden can have one oversize statement piece and several smaller items, like a fountain, bird feeder and several decorative planters.

When you’re looking at accessories, keep in mind the overall theme and style of the garden and ensure that your decorating reflects them. A formal stone fountain or old-world statue would look great in a traditional rose garden, but a modern stainless steel fountain or quirky bird feeder would look better in a contemporary succulent garden. Although the type of plant you grow shouldn’t limit your decorating choices, keeping a consistent feel can lead to a higher-quality space.

Once you’ve settled on your garden accessories, it’s time to start thinking about the rest of your outdoor space. Although the front door is often overlooked, decorating it can make a big impact — after all, it’s often the first thing people see when visiting. Spruce it up by adding seasonal wreaths, fancy door knockers and fun doormats, and use potted plants or hanging plants for a fresh dose of color.