We decorate our homes with curated collections of furniture, art, fabrics, and ornamental objects. Why not also approach our yards and gardens the same way by incorporating garden décor that adds personality, character, and charm?
Garden centers and home improvement stores are full of decorative options for outdoor living spaces, both pre-built and build-ready. While many of them are decorative in nature only, others pull double duty as functional décor. And for the most unique and whimsical options, DIY and upcycled projects add unexpected delights to our yards and gardens.
These outdoor décor ideas will elevate yards and gardens into inviting living spaces to enjoy as warmer weather arrives. From adding curb appeal to personalizing gardens and beds, garden décor adds function, style, and character.
Functional Garden Décor
Not all garden décor serves a purpose beyond visual appeal. But these ideas may fulfill your needs if you’re looking for double-duty elements to incorporate into your outdoor living spaces.
Furniture
Outdoor furniture turns your yard into a livable space that invites you to spend time outdoors. From table and chair sets for back porches and patios to delicate bistro sets, there are many options to choose from.
Beyond seating and dining options for yards, there are other outdoor furniture options to consider. Large potting tables and benches may be a worthwhile investment for active gardeners requiring storage and table space. Similarly, decorative benches under shade trees blend character and function seamlessly as usable décor.
Firepits
Firepits are a popular backyard feature fueled by wood, propane, natural gas, and gel fuel. They often center outdoor social gatherings, inviting residents and guests to revel or relax around a central location.
Hardscape firepits are built into patios and tend to be larger and heavy-duty. These built-in and outdoor firepits are an investment in costs and labor but add value to your home. However, smaller, portable firepits (bowl-style or chimineas) are inexpensive and readily available at home improvement stores.
Lighting
Adding lights to your yard and garden gives outdoor spaces a magical feel at night. From standing lights to strung lights overhead, they turn your yard into a wonderland at nightfall. Outdoor lighting is a great way to enjoy your yard more thoroughly in the evenings.
When it comes to illuminating the front yard, path lights along sidewalks and driveways are an excellent option. Many path lights are easy to install and run on solar power with battery backup. Landscape spotlights are another way to show off your home after dark, particularly if you decorate your home seasonally and for holidays.
While not the main function of these illumination options, outdoor lighting may also help deter criminal activity around your home and vehicles at night, as well.
Container Gardening
In addition to planting directly in the ground, container gardening is another form of garden décor that can be both functional and attractive. While larger containers are typically kept in a backyard (such as raised garden beds), smaller pots and planters are ideal for front yards.
Adding large planters at the base of steps or hanging planters along your front porch elevates curb appeal immediately. The pots themselves add style and flair to your front yard and height.
Arbors and Trellises
Arbors are an inviting piece of functional décor that acts as a doorway to your gardens. And while they may be used primarily for decorative purposes, they are ideally paired with climbing plants and vines. Doing so adds to the visual enhancement made by the arbor and allows it to serve a double-duty function, as well.
Simpler than arbors, trellises are tall, one-dimensional additions to garden beds. However, like arbors, trellises are useful for climbing plants and vines.
Decorative Accents
Sometimes, an object’s sole function is to add beauty and interest. And when it comes to garden décor options, there is no shortage of elements that bring style and whimsy to your outdoor living spaces.
Pergolas and Gazebos
Both pergolas and gazebos add architectural interest to a yard and serve as a primary focal point in your outdoor space. Gazebos are hexagonal or octagonal in shape and provide full shade, whereas pergolas are more open and provide partial shade.
Gazebos and pergolas function as sitting/living spaces outdoors and are value-added projects for any home. Numerous pre-built options are available for homeowners looking to add these features to their yards. Similarly, those with hands-on DIY experience or interest may prefer to construct these features themselves.
Fountains
Fountains are an undoubtedly elegant addition to your yard and garden. They are visually appealing and offer a soothing spa-like quality outdoors. Large fountains can be costly and require expert installation, but their timeless beauty and elegance are worth the investment.
Smaller, affordable fountains are also available for a more budget-friendly option, too. However, pre-made fountains may be noisier than expected. Hearing one before purchasing is important to determine if it would be a good fit for your lifestyle and preferences.
In general, fountains are a wonderful addition to your garden space. Before committing to one, though, it’s important to note that more maintenance (cleaning) and additional costs (electricity) are often required to operate them continuously.
Sculpture and Statuary
Yard ornaments and statues, often made of concrete, are another common form of garden décor. Statuary options are seemingly endless, from classic and traditional to whimsical and trendy. It’s not uncommon to find modern statuary featuring pop-culture characters and references.
They add visual interest to your gardens, and concrete holds up well outdoors. Minimal maintenance may be required to keep moss and lichen growth at bay.
Gazing Balls
Both simple and affordable, gazing balls are a beautiful decorative element to add to garden beds. Gazing balls or globes may be mirrored, iridescent, or covered in mosaic tiles. They also come in a variety of colors and designs. Some are displayed low to the ground, whereas others sit atop higher metal stands.
Gazing balls have an interesting history dating back to 13th Century Italy. Witch and fairy folklore are associated with them, and garden gazing balls led to the invention of glass ball Christmas tree ornaments.
Simple DIY Garden Décor Ideas
There are numerous ways to personalize your yard and garden with DIY and upcycling. You can create some of the garden décor ideas already discussed and additional elements. Upcycled garden décor is also a thrifty way to add flair to the outdoors.
Planters
Making planters or turning other objects into planters is one of the simplest ways to decorate porches, patios, and garden beds. Outdoor planters can be constructed of nearly any element- wood, metal, concrete, pottery, glass, or plastic.
Thrift stores and yard sales are also full of items that can be turned into planters with very little effort. Effective planters are large enough to allow plant roots to spread out and require enough drainage to prevent root rot. Keep these aspects in mind when considering an upcycled planter project.
Signs
Decorative signs have been a home décor trend for many years now, but they’re not just for indoors. Adding signs to our yards and gardens is a simple way to add cheeky whimsy outdoors.
Some signs may be more functional than anything else. Address signs and signage aimed at dog walkers are less decorative in nature. However, decorative signs are a delightful addition to garden beds and walkways.
Small wooden cutting boards, as long as they are waterproof, are easy to transform into small garden signs. Small objects like BBQ tools or fondue forks are ideal for upcycling into plant labels in a garden bed.
Birding Elements
Whether you reside in the city, suburbs, or more rural areas, resident and migratory birds will find their way to your yard. Incorporating birdhouses, baths, and feeders adds whimsy to your outdoor spaces and provides important habitat features for visiting birds.
Thankfully, birds are not overly particular about bird baths and feeders. With no HOAs to answer to, their preferred homes simply need to meet a few ecological features to be inhabited.
Turn heavy vintage lamps into bases for bird baths by removing the electrical components and adding a shallow dish to hold water. Pebbles or small rocks in the center allow smaller birds to access the deepest portion of the bath.
An outdated brass chandelier is ideal for upcycling into a feeder. Removing the wiring and attaching small saucers to each arm gives birds plenty of space to feed freely.
Fairy Gardens
Fairy gardens are effectively dollhouses for your gardens. They are “living spaces” composed of miniature pieces for mythical fairies and pixies. While not a form of garden décor that adds value to your home or curb appeal in general, fairy gardens are a delight for anyone who enjoys miniatures and a desire to add a touch of magic outdoors.
There are lots of premade fairy garden items to purchase at craft stores and garden centers. But you can easily create your fairy gardens using any number of things. To name a few, pizza savers can become tables, bottle caps can be used as chairs and even golf tees can be used as path lights.
Elevated Yard and Garden Style
From elegance to quirky charm, garden decorations are a creative way to expand your home’s personality. There are options for every price point, from value-added investments to upcycled whimsy. And they all add up to one important thing: attractive and personalized outdoor living space to enjoy all year long.
This article originally appeared on Pink When.
Author: Sarah Ramberg
Sarah Ramberg is the writer and thrift savant behind the website Sadie Seasongoods. Launched in 2013, Sadie Seasongoods is dedicated to all things secondhand: upcycling tutorials, vintage decor, and thrifting itineraries for cities across the Southeast. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel”, which was released in 2021.