Garden Art Ideas: How To Use Garden Decor and Yard Art To Beautify Your Outdoor Space

These garden art ideas are easy to do and will give you some inspiration for using garden decor and yard art to add interest to your outdoor space.

Garden art ideas

I was recently looking through some pictures of a garden tour I took at Allerton Gardens on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

The view of Allerton Gardens from the top of the hill
Allerton Garden, Kauai, HI

It is a huge garden that is absolutely stunning! (If you’re ever in Kauai, it’s worth the tour price to see this garden…click here to get more information.)

One of the things that makes it so interesting is their use of garden art.

It is everywhere!

It made me realize that even the best gardens can be made a little better by adding some garden decor.

Even though Allerton Gardens is in a completely different climate and is on a totally different scale than most of our gardens, it is a great place to get some inspiration.

And then scale it down to a city-sized yard.

Keep reading to find out the garden art ideas I have learned from this garden (and others).

1 | Create A Focal Point

This post may contain affiliate links. We make a small commission if you buy the products from these links (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. But we only recommend products we would use ourselves. For more information, click here to see our disclosures.

Large statue in Allerton Gardens, Kauai, HI

Installing a large statue in your garden adds an obvious focal point (“large” being the main idea!).  

Just like interior decorating, having a focal point in your garden directs your attention to the areas you want to showcase.

Allerton Gardens in Kauai is a very big garden but this statue still commands your attention.

Placing it in front of a pond allows it to be reflected in the water surface as well.

Garden statue in front of a blue fence

Even if you don’t have a large yard, you can still incorporate a statue or two.

Just make sure the statue is big enough. Smaller ones will get lost among the flowers.

My mother also installed a blue fence behind her favorite garden decor. The bright color makes sure that you don’t miss it!

You can add height to a shorter statue that you absolutely love by standing it on a plinth*.

Lady statue in the middle of a garden

Incorporate a statue in the middle of the garden to add an element of surprise.

Red modern art in a garden

If traditional sculptures aren’t your style, a modern metal sculpture may be right up your alley.

2 | Provide a Zen Feeling

Buddha statue in front of some bamboo at Allerton Gardens in Kauai, HI

Adding a Buddha statue to your garden is sure to provide a zen feeling.

Placing it in front of some bamboo (as they did at Allerton Gardens in Kauai) makes it feel even more relaxing.

Just make sure to plant the bamboo in containers or use clumping bamboo so you don’t have to worry about it taking over.

Smaller scale buddha garden art

Even if your yard isn’t that big and you don’t have any bamboo, nestling a Buddha statue among the plants seems to fit right in.

3 | Mimic Nature

Statue of a deer in Allerton Gardens, Kauai, HI

At Allerton Gardens in Kauai, animal statues look as if they were coming out of the woods…like they would be in nature.

Pelican metal yard art on a post in the garden

You can do the same thing in your garden by using metal animal outdoor decor.

Whether you go for a pelican or a bug, try to position them somewhere that looks natural.

And once again, make sure your nature-inspired art is big enough to be noticed, like these metal garden cranes*.

4 | Install A Water Feature

Architectural water fountain in Allerton Garden, Kauai, HI
An architectural water fountain is a form of garden art

Water and the garden go together hand in hand.

Which is why I think adding an artful water feature to your garden always works! (Not to mention it creates a natural looking place to put those garden cranes.)

You can install one permanently (like this architectural waterfall at Allerton Gardens in Kauai).

Water fountain hung on a fence in the garden
A wall fountain is an easy way to add water to your garden

Or just hang a fountain on a fence.  Adding landscape lighting makes sure that you can still see it at night.

Either way will add some interest to your garden.

Find more ways to add water to your garden HERE.

5 | Generate Movement

Kinetic Copper Wind Sculpture*

Installing yard art that rotates or moves in the wind adds an extra dimension into your garden.

As with sculptures, make sure that your wind sculpture is large enough to be seen.

Copper wind sculptures* like the one above will age over time and add an “always been there” look to your garden.

6 | Add Whimsical Garden Art

Whimsical garden art via confessionsofaserialdiyer.com
Teapot Garden Art by confessionsofaserialdiyer.com (Please click the link to pin this image)

Adding some whimsical art to your garden will make you smile every time you see it.

This teapot in the garden is a perfect example.

Get the full tutorial on how to make it from confessionsofaserialdiyer.com.

7 | Make Some Sound

Wind chime above a statue in the garden
A pretty wind chime will add interest and sound to your garden

A wind chime in your garden will create a beautiful relaxing sound and look good at the same time.

Creating a screen to showcase it will make sure that everyone notices it!

While a traditional wind chime is pretty, you can also find some really unique designs that will make your garden more interesting.

8 | Hang a Bird House

Decorated birdhouse hung from a tree in the garden

Hanging a bird house or two not only encourages birds to visit your garden, they also look pretty.

Putple martin birdhouse

You can go for a simple version that just requires a tree branch and a hook to get it installed.Or go for a more elaborate design (like this purple martin house*) that needs to be assembled and installed on a pole.

Either one will provide some interest to your garden.

9 | Add A Sphere

Sphere on top of a column in the garden
Ball on column

Spheres are a really easy way to add some interest to your garden. The round shape fits right in with any type of outdoor space…whether it’s adding curves to a hard structure like a deck or providing a reflecting surface and color to a yard.

You can choose to display them on columns to add some height.

Or create a collection of them on the ground.

10 | Hang Garden Wall Art

metal wall art
Metal Garden Wall Art, via amazon.com*

Hanging wall art isn’t just for inside your home.

If you have a fence or wall in your garden, try hanging metal wall art or even a mirror to brighten up a flat surface. This piece is made out of recycled oil drums, so it is pretty and eco-friendly.

11 | Take Indoor Accessories Out

Large vases and a garden stool on a deck

Another creative garden art idea is to take some of your indoor accessories out to your garden.

Vases, garden seats and other ceramic pieces make beautiful additions to your deck, patio or yard.

Inexpensive painting of flamingos hung on exterior house wall

You can even hang up inexpensive pictures.

They will fade so I don’t put up anything that costs too much, but it definitely helps to break up large expanses of wall space.

12 | Make and Hang A Rain Chain

Installed rain chain

Rain chains are a combination of functionality and garden decor.

They help to direct water away from your house and look beautiful doing it.

Find out how to make your own rain chain HERE.

Hopefully you have found some inspiration to add some art to your own garden.

Other Gardening Ideas You Might Like

Have comments or questions on 10 Ways To Upgrade Your Yard With Garden Art? Tell us in the section below.


Pin It So You Don't Forget It!


Garden Art Ideas: Garden Decor and Yard Art for your Garden

[columns] [span4]

10 ways to upgrade your yard with garden art

[/span4][span4]

Creative garden art ideas

[/span4][span4]

[/span4][/columns]

This post was originally published on November 3, 2016 but was updated with new content on February 13, 2024.


Sharing is caring!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

3 Comments

  1. Betty Martinez says:

    Nice post, I just want to add the solar wind chimes to your list. They will make the garden much more charming at night, with beautiful light and beautiful sound.

  2. Angie Morris says:

    Question; I’m reading these posts and they all mention focal points. I’m new to all of this. I’m looking at my garden I’m seeing 2 focal points. I’d you have more than one, how far apart should they be?

    1. Wanda Simone says:

      Hi Angie…Most gardens will have more than one focal point so that’s okay. However you don’t want them to be competing with each other. Your eye should be drawn to one at a time. There isn’t really a set distance apart, but I try not to have them in the same view (especially from entrance points to the yard). To do this, you can put them around corners, on opposite sides of bushes, opposite sides of the yard (where you have to turn your head to see each one), have them at different heights or group them (to make one focal point). Hopefully that helps!