Landscape Accessories Series: Ornaments

Garden ornaments can add a touch of whimsy, personality, and beauty to any landscape. But it can be challenging to incorporate them without making the space look cluttered, tacky, or worse, like one of the stores that sell all the items! Use these tips and ideas to help choose garden ornaments for your landscape that will stand the test of time and add personal style without sacrificing taste.

Don’t buy on impulse: The four photos below were taken on my vacation to South Dakota. Spotting these fun eye-catching shops may seem like the perfect way to bring a bit of your vacation home with you. However, you need to consider whether it will fit in with your current outdoor decor. Another reason we may buy on impulse is for sentimental reasons. We may see something that reminds us of something from our childhood or a grandparent’s yard. So ask yourself if it will serve a purpose at your home, or is it purely decorative? If just decorative, do you have a space for it, or will it detract from the overall look of your garden? It may be fun to watch a chainsaw artist carve a cute bear out of a log, but unless you live in the woods or a log cabin, it may be an expensive purchase that you regret later. Take photos so you remember the moment and place, and maybe leave the log eagles in South Dakota.

Choose a theme: One of the best ways to make sure your garden ornaments don't look tacky is to choose a theme for your outdoor space. Choosing a theme will make it easier to select ornaments that complement each other and the overall aesthetic of your garden. Many of the photos below were taken in the same garden which was an Asian garden with torii gates and lots of lush green foliage. They were all spread out so you didn’t see them all at the same time so they didn’t overwhelm the space but continued the theme to all areas.

Old farm or garden equipment may reflect the history of your property and look great in a country or rural setting. It’s a great way to upcycle old materials and bring a charming, down-home vibe.

Use Ornaments to Create Visual Interest: Whimsical sculptural pieces may be placed subtly or in a way that highlights their features and makes them stand out as a showpiece. Consider using ornaments to create a sense of movement, rhythm, or contrast. For example, a statue or a birdbath can be used to anchor the corner of a garden bed or to create a visual break between two different areas of your landscape.

Consider the Scale: The scale of your garden ornaments is critical. If you have a small garden, avoid using large ornaments that will dwarf the space. Similarly, if you have a large garden, small ornaments might get lost. It's essential to choose ornaments that are proportional to the size of your garden. Additionally, the scale of your ornaments should complement the scale of your plants and other landscape features.

Use Ornaments in Moderation: When it comes to garden ornaments, less is often more. Too many ornaments can overwhelm a space and make it look cluttered. Instead, choose a few key pieces that will add interest and personality to your garden without overpowering it. Consider using larger ornaments as focal points and smaller ornaments as accents.

I like to place items so that no more than three are visible from one viewpoint at a time. The exception to this rule is when things are in groupings or arrangements. You can use similar types, styles, materials, shapes, or colors to create compositions that become one item instead of multiples. This is a great way to include collections such as birdhouses or watering cans and make them look assembled instead of assorted. A bit of paint can unify items to make them the same color if needed.

Now don’t feel bad if your collection of garden ornaments has gotten out of hand! Start with a clean slate by removing everything and placing it in a pile. Then you can sort through it all and toss cheap, broken, or poorly made items, or things you just don’t love. Group similar items together and look for a space in your yard to use them that will be the perfect complement. Tucking a few small items into some foliage can make them a happy surprise.

In another post, I’ll talk more about adding garden whimsy and water features!