Outside Decoration Ideas

Outdoor decorations include furniture and plants.

Decorating your outdoor environment is as important as your interior spaces. Both an expression of your style and personality, a decorated space must have some cohesive elements that tie the space together for greater comfort and aesthetic appeal. Outdoor decorations have the benefit of highlighting planted garden spaces and can be functional and decorative. Start with a theme then add your decorations throughout your outdoor spaces including front porches or entryways, garden or flowerbeds and backyard patios and decks.

Music

Good wind chimes may cost more, but the sound quality is exceptional.

Create a serene and inspirational environment in your outdoor areas by utilizing chimes and bells to tease melodies throughout your space. In a backyard, hang good quality wind chimes of various pitches from trees and plant stands or hang from the ceiling of a front porch or deck ceiling. Add to the musical theme by coordinating outdoor furniture with wind chimes either with the use of wood tones or black iron accessories. In sheltered areas, place percussion instruments to play and decorate garden beds with salvaged unplayable instruments like a standing cello, old guitars or flutes.

Shabby Chic

Old rusty iron or mossy stone urns fit perfectly into a shabby chic outdoor decor plan.

Place vintage iron bed frames, old window frames and other salvaged architectural features in garden and flowerbeds to set the tone for your shabby-chic outdoor decor. Place distressed white wicker furnishings in sitting areas on a front porch or deck, then accent with vintage fabric pillows and table coverings. Use old tea cups to hold delicate fern or herb plants on tables and accessorize all the outdoor spaces with plenty of rusty watering cans, iron flower urns and distressed birdhouses featuring old door knobs and vintage hinges. Pastels should be used for all fabric needs including chair cushions, shades and pillows. Go all out in an enclosed patio space by hanging a vintage chandelier from the ceiling for elegant lighting.

Eclectic

Old men's shoes and boots can be bought inexpensively at thrift stores and make eclectic planters.

Flex your imagination muscles when you design an eclectic outdoor display using found objects and everyday household items. Dot a front porch with plants potted in old sneakers or rubber boots, or line a flowerbed with used bowling balls you add mosaic accents to or leave as is. Place an old small refrigerator in the center of a yard to house overflowing pots of morning glories or ferns and top it all off with an army of garden gnomes or a flock of pink flamingos.

Lush and Serene

Use plenty of moss to create a quiet and serene outdoor space.

Every outdoor enthusiast dreams of having his own secret garden, and you can create your retreat with some rustic furnishings and garden growth. Flank your existing patio area with a trellis or gazebo frame that you can cultivate vine growth on throughout the season. Use bent rattan or wicker chairs or an assortment of old wood-stained straight back chairs to place around a rustic wood table for entertaining. The overall design element in this decorated space is organic, so place stone cairns you pile up yourself in the flowerbeds and rest votive candles in wood bark around your entertaining area to finish setting the mood.

References

• Country Living: Outdoor Spaces
• ACS Garden: Trellis Tricks

Resources

• Spirit of Eureka; Sacred Expression -- Stone Cairns; Cynthia Morin
• National Geographic Kids: Recycled Shoe Flower Pots
• Gardens and Crafts: Bowling Ball Art