Take a glance at our growing backlog of Zazzle Ideas articles, and you’ll discover that, while we’ve discussed how to cultivate an indoor garden (“Planning the Perfect Indoor Herb Garden”) and how to renovate your new home (“How to Decorate Your New Home With Unique Décor Ideas”), we’ve never laid one solitary foot in the backyard. Prepare for all that to change, however, as we show you how to create a garden that lightens your mood, appeals to all of your senses, and even impresses your guests!
In this article, we’ll provide you tips and ideas for decorating your garden with personalized products, adding charm and individuality to your private oasis. You’ll also learn how to create a cohesive theme across your garden, and even pick up some pointers about how to maintain your plants and garden décor. And if you’re nervous about branching out into garden design, then don’t worry – we’ve kept things simple, and our evergreen tips should be more than enough for the budding landscaper and horticulturist.
Assessing Your Garden’s Style and Theme
Before diving into a full-blown garden renovation, it’s important to assess your garden’s existing style and theme. Understanding these aspects will inform the changes you make and the décor you add, and there may be elements you’d like to leave intact, too, upon reflection. Here’s how to get started:
Evaluate the Existing Landscape
This step couldn’t be easier – simply stroll around your garden and observe its natural features. Pay attention to the layout, topography, and existing plantings, and how you’d classify the style of your garden according to the Royal Horticultural Society’s list of themes. Is your garden a Mediterranean paradise or an urban retreat?
Consider Colors and Textures
Aside from the obvious earthy green and brown tones, what other colors and textures are present in your garden? Note the dominant hues of flowers, foliage, and hard landscaping materials, and then you can choose décor and plants that complement and enhance those shades.
Reflect on Your Personal Preferences
Now that you know more about the current state and style of your garden, think about what direction you’d like to take the design in. Would you like to swap that concrete jungle vibe for a rustic and natural aesthetic, or do you prefer the angular, geometric look? Should your garden feel curated and minimalistic, or should it seem slightly wild and abundant?
Seek Inspiration
Browse through gardening magazines, websites, and Pinterest collections for inspiration, and look for gardens with styles or themes that resonate with you. This research will germinate ideas and help you refine your vision for the garden.
Choosing Decorative Elements
Taking the above factors into account should provide a solid foundation for your garden design project – think of them as the roots and trunk that will support the rest of your plans! Next, it’s time to select decorative elements that will enhance your garden’s beauty and personalize the space.
Plants and Flowers
Choose plants and flowers that complement your garden’s style and colors; for example, if you have features in your garden that are made of a sandy terracotta, then you could plant flowers that are blue, purple, or violet. The most important thing is to choose a mix of perennials – plants that live multiple years – and annuals – plants that only last a year, but may bloom at a different time than the perennials. This will ensure your garden is dynamic and colorful throughout each season!
Furthermore, if you’re a total greenhorn when it comes to the greenhouse, then take a look at the “21 Easy Flowers for Beginners” article on Garden Design.com.
Garden Furniture and Structures
Incorporate a bench, set of chairs, gazebo, swing, shed or parasol into your garden, adding both functionality and aesthetic appeal to your blossoming estate. Some materials, like weather-resistant wood, metal, or synthetic wicker, will be able to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. And then, if you’d like to soften the look of stainless steel garden furniture, take a look at our personalized throw pillows!
Outdoor Lighting
It doesn’t have to be Christmas before you can set up some outdoor lighting! Depending on your garden’s style, you could decorate the environment with charming lanterns, modern LED lights, or decorative string lights. Solar lights, in particular, are a clean, renewable option, and won’t cost any electricity.
Water Features
Here’s one of the most popular additions to any garden: a water feature. Whether you install a fountain, dig a pond, or carve cascading waterfalls into the very rockface itself, the sound of gently flowing water creates a soothing atmosphere. You can also accentuate the feature further through custom-engraved stones, water basin accents, or personalized plaques near the water feature.
Decorative Accents
Finally, head to Zazzle, your one-stop-shop for garden décor! Incorporate outdoor signs and garden flags to showcase family names, favorite quotes, or custom messages, or invite guests in from their time in your garden with custom doormats & outdoor rugs. You could also make room in your garden for a ‘games corner,’ populating it with cornhole sets and other lawn games.
Maintenance and Care
Creating a personalized garden is an exciting endeavor, but when exposed to the elements, your meticulously chosen décor, plants, and furniture can easily be damaged. If your well-worn garden needs an upgrade, or if you want to preserve the garden design we’ve just helped you put together, then here’s the dirt you need to know:
Regular Cleaning
Obvious as it might seem, it’s still worth saying: clean your garden décor and furniture to keep it looking its best. Wipe down surfaces, remove dust or debris, and wash items as needed. For best results, try gentle cleaning solutions and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for specific materials.
Weather Protection
This might not be a major issue in mid-June, but later in the year, take care to protect your decorations from harsh weather conditions. During inclement weather, consider covering or storing delicate items indoors. You could even apply protective coatings or sealants to outdoor furniture and structures, preventing sun, rain, or frost damage!
Seasonal Adaptations
Bear in mind that, from season to season, your garden will look different: plants will thrive or die, wildlife will come and go, and some furniture or décor will become more or less appropriate (you can leave the deckchair indoors during December, thank you). In that case, try swapping out seasonal accents or accessories to keep your garden looking fresh and relevant. Personalized items, such as garden flags or signs, can be updated to reflect different holidays or occasions.
Plant Care
Trees, shrubs, and flowers are the lifeblood of your garden – quite literally, as it’s your responsibility to keep them alive! Maintain the health and vitality of your plants, then, by providing proper care. Water them regularly, prune when necessary, and fertilize as recommended. And speaking of recommendations: take a look at this Masterclass article on “10 Ways to Care for Your Garden: How to Keep Plants Alive.”
Pest Control
Keep an eye out for pests that may damage your garden décor or plants, such as slugs, weevils, and aphids. Implement organic pest control methods or use environmentally friendly pest repellents to protect your garden without harming beneficial insects – such as bees and ladybugs – or the ecosystem.
Congratulations! You’ve succeeded in creating a personalized garden that reflects your unique style and brings joy to your outdoor space. From custom signs and solar lights to water features and plant life, your garden now radiates style, personality, and vitality. You’ve even learned more about how to protect – or deflect – the creepy-crawlies hiding in your backyard! If you have more garden decoration tips to share, let us know about them in the comments below, and if you’ve been looking at our range of customizable products, tell us if you’ve bot-any!
Eoin is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork. He’s recently bought a house with his fiancée, and thus most of his time these days is spent trying to keep the walls from caving in and the wolves from the door. Still, he’s always open to book, game, and movie recommendations, so if you have some, let him know: he’ll add them to a very, very long list.
