As humans, we’re naturally lured to loveliness. And it isn’t unusual for us to utilise art to express ourselves. From figurines and watercolour pictures to poetry and song, art comes in numerous forms and has the impetus to motivate and inspire us.
Did you know? You can use art to enhance your garden design plans. If you integrate art into your garden design, it elevates your outdoor space, transforming it into a work of art.
Here are some tips on how to use art to enrich your garden design:
Get the art right
The real secret to enhancing your garden design is picking the right art pieces. Select art that harmonises with your outdoor space and brings visual beauty to its overall look. Let’s say you have a contemporary garden. You could go for modern artwork.
On the other hand, a more traditional-looking garden may require more classic items. For instance, you can use art to create a specific theme in your garden, like a tropical garden featuring vibrant paintings of exotic birds or a Japanese-style garden complete with a classic pagoda.
Integrate art in your garden design plans
So, you’ve picked the perfect art pieces – great. Now it’s time to integrate them into your garden design plans. An excellent way to do this is to use art as a central point in your plot. So, you could hang a painting on your garden wall or position a sculpture in the middle of your outdoor space.
What’s more, blending art into your garden works as a terrific backdrop. For example, use a painting to boost the hues of your flower beds or position a sculpture behind a water feature.
Use art to generate a sense of motion
You can use art to produce the illusion of movement in your garden design. That could be using a painting to add some visual excitement and capture the essence of movement, like a mural that portrays a panorama of flying birds. Or a sculpture such as a kinetic-inspired one that moves when the wind blows.
Opt for art that strikes a chord with you
In the end, the art you plump for should strike a chord with you. That is to say, it should be something that makes you feel jovial and inspired. Something you love looking at. Ultimately, your outside space reflects your personality, so the art you pick should echo that.
Use art to establish a sense of equilibrium
Another way to use art to enhance your garden design is to infuse an illusion of balance. Place a sculpture to create a sense of balance or position it at one side of your outdoor space, then complement it with a water feature. Or add an extra sculpture on the opposite side. Paintings help create balance – place one on one side of your garden and coordinate it with a flower bed or plant on the other.
Use art to generate a sense of proportion
You can also use art to generate a sense of scale in your garden design. So, weave a sizable sculpture to add a focal point in a larger-sized garden or a more diminutive sculpture to add a focal point in a smaller outdoor space. Adding a painting with a panoramic view or a large landscape will give your garden a sense of eccentricity or opulence.
Use art to establish a central point of interest
Another way to include art in your garden design is to create a central point. A central point entices the eye and anchors the space. Position a large water feature or sculpture in a prominent spot to bring a little centrality to the garden. Not only will this add a sense of scale and balance, but it’ll also give your outdoor space some interest and depth.
Combine art into your planting system
Another effective way to integrate art into your garden design is to incorporate it into your planting system. Use art to complement the textures and colours of your vegetables and flowers, creating a harmonious, cohesive look. Why not add a lively painting or trendy sculpture that complements the tones of your plants? Or how about introducing a contrastive hue to your garden with a one-off piece of art? There’s no end to the possibilities.
Use art to convey a vibe or atmosphere
Want to add a bit of atmosphere to your plot? Then include the statue or mural to add a touch of tranquillity and serenity, like a watercolour of a peaceful vista or statue of a mediating figure.
Otherwise, integrate a more light-hearted or quirky drawing to generate a lively spirit and mischievousness, like a sketch of a vivid, cheerful abstract design or carving of an enormous butterfly.
Go for art that can withstand the elements
Don’t forget – when choosing art for your garden design, it’ll be exposed to the weather of all types. So, be sure to pick weather-resistant pieces. Go for hard-wearing materials such as resin, bronze or stone, designed to endure sunshine, showers and wind.
The last thing you want is for it to get harmed by blustering winds or falling debris, so don’t forget to think about where you’ll place your art. By plumping for art that can tolerate all weather, your garden design will look captivating for many years.
Use art to create a stand-out centrepiece for your garden
And the best thing? You can use art to create a conversation piece and spark some excitement with your friends and family. Imagine their astonishment when they come across a painting featuring real-life blooms and leaves or an exceptional figurine crafted from recycled textiles. Art will get your guests talking, and you’ll be able to share your enthusiasm for gardening and art all at once.
The takeaway
Combining paintings, statues and other types of artwork in your garden design plans is a wonderful way to inject depth, appeal, and beauty into your outside space. By going for the perfect art pieces, creating a sense of motion, featuring them in your design, balance, atmosphere, scale, and conversation, and choosing weather-resistant art, you can create a garden that is not only exquisite but also evocative, inspirational, and enchanting.
Whether you want to create an energetic outdoor space sanctuary, a calm retreat, or a practical garden for entertaining, we at Floral & Hardy can help make your garden dreams a reality. Contact us today to kick off your garden design journey.
