The Top 69 Garden Decor Ideas – Landscape Design

“Everyone can identify with a fragrant garden, with beauty of sunset, with the quiet of nature, with a warm and cozy cottage.” – Thomas Kinkade

Having a garden is just the first step in creating a beautiful backyard. Once you’ve chosen the layout and the plants you want to grow, you need to add the final decorative elements. Consider these touches as the backyard equivalent of hanging pictures on the wall or placing decorative pieces and candles on a table.

Decorating your backyard is about giving your backyard character and individuality. Some garden decor ideas are cutesy, some artistic, others sleek and modern. What you choose for your garden will depend on your personality and what you want your garden to say about you and your home.

1. Garden Decor Ideas with a Purpose

Your garden decoration doesn’t have to be just pretty. It can also serve a functional purpose. If you have a fire pit in your backyard, why not turn your log storage into something decorative? You could choose a metal rack that allows you to store multiple log sizes. That way, you always have wood on hand for an impromptu campfire.

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One common outdoor decor idea is to have a birdbath. It could be more than just a shallow bowl that holds water. It could be on a decorative pedestal or have cute bird figurines on the side. If you’re growing herbs, you could have decorative signs labeling each plant. These are more than just signs; they could be handmade or pottery signs with a unique character.

2. Decorative Planters and Pots Garden Decor Ideas

You don’t have to stick all of your plants in the ground. You can create visual interest in your garden by placing some of the plants in decorative pots. Using terracotta pots will give your garden a traditional look. The rich color of the terra cotta is beautiful, rustic, and warm.

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If you don’t have a lot of room, you can create a small garden using mason jars for your pots. Or you could have a ceramic or clay bowl with several succulents growing in it.

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your plant stands. You could use cut-in-half wine, bourbon, or whiskey barrels. Or how about an old claw foot bathtub that you’ve filled with soil? You can even find metal stands that look like everyday objects, but they have holders for your pots built in. Whatever planter or pot you choose, look for ones that help you add height to your garden to create different levels.

3. Fence and Wall Garden Decor Ideas

If you have a fence surrounding your garden, then this is the perfect chance to add a bit more decor. You could have decorative wrought iron panels mounted on the wood, or alternate metal and wood panels for an elegant and modern-looking garden fence.

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Consider DIY garden decor ideas for a personalized touch. You could try painting a colorful mural on the wall. Or you could install decorative lighting to create a unique effect when the sun sets. There’s also the option of turning your fence into a living wall. You could grow mosses and succulents on a panel. Just be careful with this idea, succulents can be surprisingly heavy, and you’ll need to reinforce the wall to support the extra weight.

4. Fire Pit Garden Decor Ideas

Adding a fire pit to your garden gives you a focal point and the perfect gathering spot. You could choose a modern design that creates ambiance. You won’t feel a lot of heat from them, but they’ll produce an interesting visual effect.

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Another option is to use your fire pit to create an outdoor living space. You could buy a portable pre-made metal pit. Or custom build your fire pit from stone or pavers. You’ll be able to build the exact size fire pit to fit in your garden. Place benches or outdoor sofas around it for a place to lounge outside and enjoy the weather.

5. Garden Arches, Pergolas, and Gazebos Decor Ideas

If you have a covered outdoor space, you have the perfect frame for growing vining plants. If you don’t have a covered area, then consider building some shelter. You could have a gazebo, pergola, or arch. The one you choose will depend on the amount of coverage you’re looking for and the square footage you have available.

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Once you have your structure, check out garden design ideas to pick a flowering plant or two that will vine its way up.. Colorful flowers and blooms will surround you. If you live in the right climate, you could even grow grapes or lemons. However, both of these have heavier vines that require a more solid structure for support.

6. Garden Art Decor Ideas

Look for ways you can create a unique look for your garden. There are local artists everywhere that use a variety of materials to create custom garden art. You could add to your garden design by placing a few art pieces that look like animals. Many garden ideas suggest placing this art hidden among your plants. They’ll be a beautiful surprise as you wander through your garden.

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If you have an empty garden area, then consider placing one enormous art piece. It will serve as a crowning statement piece and focal point to your backyard. Look for art that will be durable when left outside long term. Metal, glass, cork, and hardwoods are all beautiful and durable materials.

7. Garden Furniture Decor Ideas

Furniture is a common element of outdoor garden decor ideas. You need a place where you can sit down and relax in your backyard. Even if you only have a small balcony, you should have somewhere that you can sit and enjoy a cup of coffee or an evening drink.

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If you have enough space, you can create an outdoor living room setup. Place a loveseat or sofa with an accent chair or two. You don’t need a lot of space, though. A small cafe table and a pair of chairs are all you need.

8. Garden Statue Decor Ideas

Statues are an easy way to add decorative elements to your garden. They’re durable and beautiful. Look for sculptures that complement the style of garden you want to create. A garden gnome is a popular choice, but some people find them creepy. Modern gardens look good with an abstract ornament.

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Garden statues come in several materials. Try adding several types of materials to your garden for visual interest and variety. You could have glass figurines, metal sculptures, or stone creations of all kinds.

If you have lots of flowers and other plants that need pollinating, consider adding a birdbath and bird feeder. This will encourage birds to make your backyard their home and foster stronger growth.

9. Garden Decor Lighting Ideas

Adding lighting to your garden gives you the ability to enjoy the beauty of the space after the sun goes down. You could do this with string lights that you hang across the entire garden. They’ll create a warm, soft glow over the entire space and illuminate your outdoor area.

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For a more decorative approach, try adding fairy lights to your garden. These are small LEDs that will twinkle and glow. They typically aren’t bright enough to create bright light but are more of a decorative element to highlight specific areas of your garden. If you have a pergola or gazebo, you could string the lights on it for a fairy garden effect. Choose one that twinkles for a starry night look.

10. Modern Garden Decor Ideas

Potted plants are a great way to create a modern garden design. Try using large pavers or flat stones to create a smooth and trim lawn. Then create a green space by arranging large pots with several plants in each. Choose pots in modern colors, like black or white. They should have long straight lines and smooth curves with minimal ornamentation.

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Modern gardens use a combination of materials. You could have large stepping stones through your pond or a wood deck overlooking your water feature. Create borders and trim with a moat of river rocks. Skip the messy looking flowering plants and stick with simple greenery that you can keep trim and neat.

11. Garden Decor Pathway Ideas

You need to have pathways throughout your garden. This makes it easier to enjoy your work and maintain your plants. A modern garden will use pavers, concrete, or wood. For a rustic garden look, you could use pea gravel for a natural-looking path. If you want to create a vintage garden, use salvaged bricks or flat stones.

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If you have a large yard, your flower bed may not take up the entire backyard. Then your pathway will connect your flower bed to the other areas of the yard. Perhaps it leads from the patio to the garden and then around to the fire pit.

12. Garden Decor Water Feature Ideas

Water features can be a lot of work, depending on the type and size you decide to add. Even a small fountain will add natural noise and calming sound effects to your garden. The only other way you can add sound to your garden is with a wind chime, and they can be more annoying than the gentle sound of running water.

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If you’re ready to commit to a serious water feature, consider adding a fish pond with a fountain. You’ll need to care for the fish and maintain the fountain hardware. However, it’s well worth it for the calming effect it’ll have on you and the entire space. For fish, you could consider koi, but they’re expensive. Goldfish can be a more affordable alternative.