You probably want a place to relax and de-stress after a long day. Your backyard and garden are ideal locations, but you'll get more enjoyment out of your garden if it is a unique reflection of your personality. You don't want a garden that looks the same as your neighbor's yard. You want something that reflects your tastes. Many different types of garden art are available to set your garden apart, and make it your own.
Basically, there are three categories of garden art that you can choose for your garden decor.
Formal art refers to statuary and sculptures that you would see in formal gardens. Sundials, stone statues, obelisks, and such are considered formal art.
Semi-formal refers to more light hearted sculptures and decor. Semi-formal can mean resin statues of children and animals, decorative birdhouses, and copper wind chimes. Semi-formal art gives the garden more of a light, happy feeling.
Informal art includes just about everything else. You can let your imagination run wild here. An old sink or bathtub, a pair of old boots planted with flowers, an old washboard, or pretty much anything that will fit.
Don't feel limited to choosing from just one category of garden art. You can mix and match from all three categories if you want. After all, it's your garden, and it should reflect your personality. When you choose your garden art, it should be something that you feel some kind of emotional attachment to.
You can find garden art in several places. You can browse through antique shops, flea markets, and garage sales. Or you may have some items in your basement or attic that can be placed in the garden. Another option, if you have the skills, is to create your own. You can easily create some light airy sculptures with some copper wire and some imagination.
When placing your art, look for places that need some visual interest added. You'll want to place it at a focal point, where the eyes will be drawn to it. Look for bare places that need something added. You can place the art to anchor the end of a path, so that the path will seem to have more purpose than simply a walkway through the garden. If there is a fence along the garden, hang something on it to break up the long monotonous lines.
I could go on and on about where to place your garden art. In general, is should go in an area that needs more visual interest. Just be sure to take into account the size of the garden. You want your garden art to accent your garden, not overwhelm it. You can approach garden decor from either end. Either look at your garden, and decide what you want to place where. You can also pick up some garden art as you're browsing around the stores, and then decide where you want to put it.
When it comes down to it, the choice of garden art, and its placement should reflect your tastes and personality. The proper choice of garden art will help to set your garden apart from everyone else's, and it will increase your enjoyment of your own little relaxing oasis.
