Over the past years, many of us embraced minimalism as a way to have a serene home. By using neutral colors, cozy fabrics, and understated decorative elements, we were able to create relaxing shared spaces in our rooms and backyards. But this year is all about joyful maximalism as experts predict that one of the biggest design trends of 2024 is having personalized and expressive spaces. One way to create a space that’s truly yours is by adding artwork that speaks to your tastes and reflects your interests. So why not inject some joy into your life by adding more art into backyard garden?
Hanging up framed paintings or prints is a simple way to enhance your interiors. For your garden though, you’ll want to unleash your inner artist and art curator to have a vibrant and joyful backyard. Here’s how to incorporate sculptures and murals into your garden for a unique outdoor space.
Create a Garden Fence Mural
A hand painted mural is a beautiful and inexpensive way to add color and interest to an outdoor area. Apart from using low maintenance landscaping techniques, this is a common strategy used by businesses to enhance their exteriors. You can use the same technique in your garden, but instead of painting your home’s exterior, you can paint a one-of-a-kind mural on your fence.
A wooden picket fence with no gaps, or board-on-board fencing will be perfect for this project since you need a smooth and wide surface to work on. Before painting though, prep your fence by cleaning it thoroughly with a power washer, or by scrubbing it with water and eco-friendly cleaners. Keep in mind that you need to get rid of green algae, mold, and dirt on the fence to make your outdoor art stand out. After the fence dries, sand it lightly to smooth out any rough spots, then apply a coat of primer or gesso. Let it dry completely, then start painting!
For a vegetable garden, consider creating a mural of giant veggies with faces, or do an abstract design. If you prefer tropical art to complement your flower garden, paint some vibrant blooms and leaves in bright colors like orange, hot pink, and red. You can also choose a non-botanical design and get some inspiration from famous graffiti artists like Banksy, Keith Haring, Jean Michel Basquiat, or Shepard Fairey to make your mural. To protect your work from the elements, brush on a coat of matte varnish over your mural, then let it dry before brushing on one coat of outdoor wood sealer.
Add Garden Sculptures and Ornaments
Traditionally, most people decorate their gardens with statues or fountains to give their outdoor space a boost. This would be ideal if you’re going for a classic look, but if you want a modern-looking backyard, you’ll want to take some inspiration from outdoor art galleries and installations and add some contemporary sculptures to your garden. A 6-foot tall metal sculpture provides a modern feel to an all-green landscape. Meanwhile, clay, stone, acrylic, or recycled plastic pieces nestled among plants or partially hidden in nooks and corners will add a charming and whimsical touch to your garden.
If you can’t find sculptures or ornaments that appeal to you, you may want to commission a bespoke piece from a local artist. Doing so ensures that you get a sculpture that perfectly complements your outdoor space, whether it’s a traditional rose garden or a backyard filled with wildflowers and herbs. Wire sculptures of humans in dance poses or fairies look ethereal amidst a green or flowery backdrop, while wire sculptures of animals will look positively cute when placed near vegetable beds or underneath shrubs and trees.
Light it Up
Art can make your garden look one-of-a-kind, but adding lighting can make your backyard feel magical and special. Place spotlights strategically around murals and sculptures to draw attention to these pieces and give them a nice glow at night. You may also want to add some light sculptures throughout your outdoor space if you want to have unique decorations in your garden. Finally, use LED fairy lights to give your backyard a festive feel all round. Place them in shrubs or bushes, or wrap tree trunks with these lights for a stunning effect.
Art can enhance any space, and that includes your backyard. Consider these ideas to incorporate sculptures and murals into your garden to create a vibrant outdoor space that everyone will enjoy.