Are you bored with your outdoor spaces? Luckily, the yard is one of the easiest places to freshen up without breaking the bank. Here are a few ideas to bring a sense of joy and whimsy back to your garden or patio.
Add Pops of Color
If you want to brighten up any area, indoors or out, start by bringing in a bold accent color. Just add a couple of throw pillows and a potted flowering plant to your existing patio furniture, or throw down an all-season area rug. What color should you choose? Sunshine yellow coordinates with most color schemes and gives instant uplift. Summery brights like turquoise, lime green, or watermelon are good choices, too. Don’t forget that white is also a color, and gives any decor a crisp, cool look.
Image via Flickr by andrewmalone
Incorporate Some Art
Garden decor isn’t limited to plants, walkways, and furniture. A whimsical sculpture peeking out from behind a potted plant, a serene Buddha meditating on a pedestal, or a few wire dragonflies floating above the ferns will make your garden space sing with personality.
Enchant with Lighting
Lighting is the heart of your garden in the evening. The soft glow of faux-candles in lanterns creates an elegant, romantic ambiance. Strings of party lights lend a festive flair, while twinkling white lights buried in the greenery gives a magical air. The variety of available patio lighting options from specialists like Christmas Lights, Etc is sure to inspire your creativity. You can enhance your evening garden experience by planting plenty of white and light-colored flowers that show up well at dusk.
Make it Shine
A bit of sparkle brings sweetness and life to your outdoor spaces. In nature, that sparkle is usually provided by flowing water. An in-ground water garden is a major commitment, but a container water garden can add a magical touch to a small space. You can also bring a bit of shine to your yard with mosaic steppingstones, a gazing ball, a bird bath, or a mirror.
Delight Your Senses
Add dimension to your garden experience by thinking about how it sounds and smells as well as how it looks. Plant a few flowers that give off a sweet scent when they bloom, like hyacinth or mock orange. Add sound with a babbling fountain, a wind chime, or outdoor speakers.
Bring Your Garden to Life
Movement is the finishing touch that brings magic to your outdoor space. A wind chime or fountain can serve double duty as a source of movement. Garden spinners are kinetic sculptures that interact with the breeze. If you make your space inviting for birds and butterflies, they will fill it with birdsong and fluttering color. To attract them, plant colorful flowers, provide a source of water, and put up shelters and feeders designed for songbirds, hummingbirds, or butterflies.
It only takes a little effort to bring a magical quality to your garden or patio. Choose a couple of ideas to try and set aside a weekend to turn your outdoor space into a sweet retreat.
