Ideas for Garden Accents and Decor

Gardening, whether it’s growing food to eat or flowers for the beauty they provide, is a lot of hard work. Why not install a few accents to showcase your efforts while adding your own personal touch?

Garden or Patio Furniture

Furniture is a useful accent. Garden furniture, which is also referred to as patio furniture, can provide an aesthetic touch while offering a comfortable place to sit and relax. Today’s garden furniture can be purchased in plastic, wood, aluminum, teak, wicker and wrought iron.

There are pros and cons that come with each type. Wooden furniture looks nice, but does require periodic painting or treating because the finishes do break down due to the exposure of sunlight. Teak, a type of wood that is resistant to rot, can withstand the outdoor elements and requires less frequent treatment. Plastic outdoor furniture can stay outdoors year-round, but it does break down from exposure to direct sunlight. Aluminum patio furniture lasts a long time, but it will corrode if the protective coating is removed. Outdoor wicker furniture is made from two types of material. Some is woven from one of 600 species of palm trees found worldwide. Most modern wicker furniture is made from synthetic resins that increase the life expectancy.

Garden Fountains

Fountains are a great finishing touch to any garden or landscape project. They are made from a variety of products, including copper, stone and manmade compounds. Fountains can be used as large centerpieces or small accents that offer the sound of trickling water to relax you. Fountains can be installed independently or as part of a pond project.

Installing Backyard Ponds

Ponds have become very popular and provide a relaxing venue from which you can enjoy the great outdoors. Place a nice bench or a small table and chairs beside a pond and you can pass hours watching the fish swim and listening to the frogs croak out their song. Ponds can be dug into the ground and lined with a liner to retain water or they can be as simple as a child’s swimming pool dug into the ground.

Garden Wind Chimes

Wind chimes can be found in a variety of sizes, styles and materials. Some are made from stainless steel or aluminum pipes. Others are ceramic or pottery. Some are made from stained glass. Wind chimes are a fabulous addition to any garden or porch. It won’t take long before you find yourself waiting to hear the melodic chiming that a breeze provides.

Incorporate Garden Planters

Planters always add a nice accent touch. Whether they are ceramic, wooden, metal, plastic, a crock, a flowerpot or a window box, planters are a must. You can plant colorful flowers in them for an accent or you can use them as pots to hold edible plants.

Accent with Flower Gardens

Flower gardens can be the main focal point of a yard. Place a bench in a strategic spot and enjoy the beauty you’ve created. Sit quietly while you watch the birds and butterflies that are attracted to the colorful blooms.

There are numerous ways to create borders in your yard or garden. A simple, inexpensive method is to use flowerbeds to create borders. If cost isn’t an issue, borders can be constructed from stone, concrete, wood and brick. Seat walls work well as borders and double as a place to sit and relax.

Backyard Fire Pit

Add a freestanding fire pit for a garden or yard accent. The warmth that a fire pit can provide can keep you comfortably outdoors much longer in spring and fall seasons when the evening air holds a bite.

Visit local and online garden centers for ideas. There is a mind-boggling array of products available to help you create a personalized outdoor space.

Want to learn more about using garden accents?

Interested in garden borders you can create yourself? Visit this site for ideas on how to make simple garden fences.

Want to make your own garden bench? See this site for information on making easy garden benches.

Learn more about hardscaping by visiting this site on tips for hardscaping.