Lawn decoration ideas
70 Best Backyard Ideas - Easy DIY Backyard Design Tips
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There's no retreat you can get to quicker than your own backyard, so why not make it a more serene, welcoming spot? Springtime and autumn will beg for you to be out in it as long as it's not raining, and cool summer evenings and sunny winter days will invite you back too. The good news is that you don't need to spend a lot of money or hire a landscape designer to get your backyard to a dreamier state. Here we share 70 easy ideas to create a restful oasis for you and your entire family (pets included).
Whether your space is larger or small, wooded or open, sunny or shady, dive into this list for DIY inspiration to create unique garden containers for your favorite plants, serene gathering areas (think fire pits and Adirondacks!), cozy lounging spots, pergolas, and even a unique and easy-to-install pool.
Whether you are into gardening or reading in a hammock, filling your yard with kids and adults for outdoor fun or reserving it for a quiet alone time, you're sure to fall in love with at least a few of these ideas that will keep you on budget and give you a creative outlet too. So pick one or two to start with, gather your supplies, roll up your sleeves, and refresh your backyard for a brand new look this year. It's time to hang the string lights—backyard games, movie nights, and cookouts await!
Darrell GulinGetty Images
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Update with Pops of Bright Color
Take your backyard from bland to bright! Dress up your deck, patio, or balcony with a simple display of colorful pots and birdhouses. Choose vibrantly colored flowers that complement the color of the pots. Use acrylic craft paints or spray paint to make inexpensive clay pots any color you like.
SHOP CLAY POTS
Elva EtienneGetty Images
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Upcycle Unique Containers
If your favorite gardening wellies have sprung a leak, don't toss them! Turn them into cute planters that fit well on the steps to your deck or by a sunny back door. This is also a sweet way to upcycle your child's old wellies that have been outgrown.
SHOP RAIN BOOTS
Julie Blanner
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Build a DIY Window Box
Why spend all that money on window boxes when they're not difficult to make? These pretty boxes offer a simple, elegant look for any style house.
Get the tutorial at Julie Blanner.
SHOP WHITE PAINT
DAVID TSAY
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Install a Fire Pit
Heat things up this summer with a fire pit—either one you DIY or purchase. And don't forget to stock up on tons of s'mores fixings!
SHOP OUTDOOR FIRE PITS
Jena ArdellGetty Images
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Welcome Hummingbirds to Your Garden
We promise: It's so worth it! These little gems will make you smile as the zoom by and perform amazing aerial acrobatics! They beat their wings 50 times per minute and need to eat every 10 to 15 minutes, so providing them with a feeder helps supplement their diets. You can even make your own nectar for them too.
SHOP HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS
Julie Blanner
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Hang a Tree Swing
A tree swing just says summertime! Watch how often you'll want to swing on it yourself!
Get the tutorial at Julie Blanner.
SHOP TREE SWINGS
James Merrell
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Add Adirondack Chairs
When it comes to lounging around, there's no better place to do it than in an Adirondack chair.
That might be why we instantly equate the timeless accessory with summertime. Fill your patio or backyard up with multiple chairs, add some cozy blankets, and you'll be crowned the hostess of the year in no time.
SHOP ADIRONDACK CHAIRS
DAVID TSAY
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Recycle Vintage Tins
Trade your go-to terracotta pots and deck your front porch out in a much more original alternative—old potato chip tins. Scour spots like Etsy and eBay to complete your collection, then pot your favorite blooms for the best porch-worthy touch.
SHOP VINTAGE TINS
BRIAN WOODCOCK
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Camp Out Under the Stars
This summer just begs for a campout, and why not in your own backyard? It's inexpensive and easy! Map out a designated corner, roll out your sleeping bags, set the mood with string lights, and gather around the fire pit for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. Even the grownups will have fun with this idea!
SHOP SLEEPING BAGS
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Breathe New Life Into Old Pots
Repurpose chipped or unused decorative dishes into mosaic tile pieces, which you can easily affix to plain terracotta pots.
Get the tutorial at The Vintage Butterfly.
SHOP BROKEN CERAMIC TILES
Stacy Risenmay
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Establish an Outdoor Movie Spot
Set up shop in the backyard, whether for sunbathing or an outdoor movie party, while cozied up against one of these handmade chairs.
Get the tutorial at Not Just A Housewife.
SHOP OUTDOOR CUSHIONS
Julie Blanner
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Use an Outdoor Rug to Define a Space
To make an outdoor space truly livable, you want to make it feel cozy and inviting. Add an outdoor rug to your deck or patio, a couple of throws, and some throw pillows so it will feel just as comfy as your living room sofa.
Get the tutorial at Julie Blanner.
SHOP OUTDOOR RUGS
Fantabulosity
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Shake Up the Neighborhood Lemonade Stand
With a DIY lemonade stand this well-decorated, you can safely bet your backyard will be the most popular one on the block.
Your kiddos can man this adorable station for years to come.
Get the tutorial at Fantabulosity.
SHOP WOODEN CRATES
elenaleonovaGetty Images
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Plant a Thicket of Shrubs
Need some privacy? Plant a thicket of fast-growing shrubs to screen a view or offer privacy to your deck or patio. Instead of planting one type of plant in a row (which leaves a hole if one suddenly dies!), plant different sizes and types of shrubs in a triangular pattern. It looks more natural and provides better overall coverage anyhow.
Get the tutorial.
SHOP FAST-GROWING SHRUBS
Anjelika GretskaiaGetty Images
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Hold a High Tea Party
Who says dining al fresco has to be all hot dogs and potato salad? Channel your inner royalty and serve a formal tea worthy of the Queen. Bring out the linens and vintage china, because what are you saving it for?
SHOP VINTAGE TEA SETS
Michel VIARDGetty Images
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Plant Some Edibles
There's absolutely no reason you can't use at least a little of your backyard to plant easy-to-grow edibles such as greens, cherry tomatoes, or climbing beans.
Make the most of your space, and enjoy food fresh from your own mini-farm!
Get the tutorial.
SHOP SEEDS
An Oregon Cottage
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Add Elegant Seating
No need to splurge on a pricey French-style backyard bench when you can easily craft your own. Scout out two identical chairs (the prettier, the better!) from thrift stores, remove the seats and replace with a handmade rectangular base.
Get the tutorial at An Oregon Cottage.
SHOP WHITE PAINT
The Merrythought
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Make an Outdoor Bed Swing
Has anything ever sounded more divine than an afternoon nap in the beauty of the outdoors? Make this pallet swing bed, and dream on!
Get the tutorial at The Merrythought.
SHOP MATTRESS COVERS
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Build a Backyard Bar
Meet the most organized DIY storage unit ever. With more than enough room for outdoor treats and summer beverages, you have no excuse to not take advantage of your backyard space.
It can even double as a potting bench!
Get the tutorial at A Burst of Beautiful.
SHOP WOOD SCREWS
Julie Blanner
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Update Your Outdoor Lighting
Just like anything else around the house, worn, dated outdoor lights don't make your yard feel homey. If it's been a while since you upgraded your outdoor fixtures, it's probably time for an update!
Get the tutorial at Julie Blanner.
SHOP OUTDOOR LIGHT FIXTURES
Stacy Risenmay
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Cozy Up Your Fire Pit
No more dragging your kitchen chairs in and out. These backyard-worthy seats can hold up to the elements and look good, too!
Get the tutorial at Not Just A Housewife.
SHOP WOOD WATER SEAL
Table and Hearth
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Maintain Some Privacy
An easy DIY privacy wall will make your deck or patio oh-so-cozy and out of the neighbor's view.
Get the tutorial at Table and Hearth.
SHOP LEVELS
Brian Woodcock
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Repurpose a Stock Tank As a Pool
The stock tank pool is the perfect way to cool off without the sweat (and expense) of an in-ground pool installation.
Get the tutorial.
SHOP STOCK TANKS
Lisa Romerein/Otto
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Build a Treehouse
For those who would rather enjoy the backyard from a higher altitude, Treehouse Supplies offers easy building plans and materials. Come on, you know you want one!
Helen Norman
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Set Up a Potting Station
Two metal trash cans and an old door make an inexpensive but totally functional (and adorable!) potting station.
SHOP RED METAL STOOLS
Brian Woodcock
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Decorate a Chic Shed
You can easily transform a basic backyard shed into a gorgeous space—complete with a barn quilt—in just 48 hours. Start by hanging checkered fabric by installing a rope across the peak of the shed and draping the fabric over using a staple gun to attach fabric to the walls (this shed required about 30 yard of fabric).
Then hang an upholstered blue couch to create a unique seating area. And finish the shed by accessorizing with a bar cart, rug, and decorative baskets and plants.
Heartland Estate shed available at heartlandind.com and exclusively at Lowe’s.
Old World Garden Farms
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Warm Up the Yard With a DIY Fire Pit
Who doesn't love gathering around a warm fire on a summer night? Pits can be pretty pricey, but this one is a budget-priced solution with plenty of rustic charm.
Get the tutorial at Old World Garden Farms.
SHOP MORTAR MIX
The Created Home
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Make Your Own Pergola
A pretty pergola seems like an expensive endeavor, but you can easily build one on a budget. This idea can be adapted to any size space.
Get the tutorial at The Created Home.
SHOP STAIN AND SEALER
Liz Marie Blog
29 of 70
Create an Outdoor Lounge
A pretty gazebo purchased from a home store and updated thrift store furniture makes this cozy patio lounge.
And how cute is that coffee table made from a galvanized tub and a wire spool?
Get the tutorial at Liz Marie Blog.
SHOP GAZEBOS
Design Dining and Diapers
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DIY Sandbox
A sandbox is a great place for kids of all ages to play. You can make one inexpensively with basic supplies from the hardware store!
Get the tutorial at Design Dining and Diapers.
SHOP PLAY SAND
45 Backyard Decorating Ideas - Easy Backyard DIY Projects & Tips
Jessica Bordner; Designer: Ginny Macdonald
After months of entertaining indoors, it's finally time to move the fun outside. If inviting friends over for al fresco parties, lounging by the pool and playing lawn games are top of mind for you as the weather turns warmer, you're probably also wondering how you can make your backyard look as nice as possible this season. But you don't need a huge budget or a professional landscaper to create a beautiful outdoor oasis — all you need is a few creative backyard decorating ideas in your arsenal!
Regardless of how sunny or shady, woodsy or open, large or small your backyard is, ahead you'll find all kinds of smart gardening tips, stylish outdoor furniture finds and DIY inspiration to create cozy gathering spots complete with fire pits, container gardens, tree houses, outdoor dining areas and more.
Whether you're after a minimalist look that relies on outdoor cafe lights and clever ways to display plants (you can't go wrong with a vertical garden, for instance!) or you want to test your DIY skills by making a side table crafted from weathered shutters, we have you covered. It's time for your yard to get a whole new look!
Lisa Romerein
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Install a Makeshift Bar
If you're short on space but love to entertain, go for a compact bar setup. A simple fold-out wall shelf, with just enough room for essentials like cutting boards and utensils, is all you need to get the job done, and a barrel can stand in as a cocktail table.
Brian Woodcock
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Hang Plants at Different Heights
Can't get enough of potted plants? Bring order to your ever-growing collection by choosing greenery in varying heights. It's an easy way to boost your outdoor space's visual appeal.
Eric Roth
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Craft an Outdoor Living Room
There's no reason why you can't carry the aesthetic of your indoor living room straight outdoors.
Comfortable seating, warm lighting and potted plants can do the trick.
Jessica Bordner
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Try a Black and White Palette
Black and white doesn't have to be boring. Create & Cultivate founder Jaclyn Johnson worked with interior designer Ginny Macdonald to make her outdoor oasis as inviting as possible. Thanks to a sleek fire pit and touches of woven accents, the space is picture-perfect.
RELATED: Tour This Beautiful Home That Embraces the Outdoors
Sara Ligorria-Tramp
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Hang String Lights
Set the mood by draping simple string lights above your outdoor dining table. But don't stop there — add even more warmth with an oversized rug, as seen in the home of Create & Cultivate's Jaclyn Johnson.
Mike Garten
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Pile on the Throw Pillows
You can never have too many throw pillows, especially when it comes to wooden seating. Spruce up yours with an assortment of colorful pillows that embody the beauty of the season.
Mike Garten
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Brighten the Space with a Mirror
Believe it or not, mirrors aren't just for indoors. Dress a bare white wall with a stylish mirror for an instant makeover.
Quentin Bacon
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Use Woven Accessories
The simplest styling trick can add a special touch to your outdoor space. The perfect example? Serve refreshing cocktails and easy desserts on a woven tray to impress guests.
SHOP WOVEN TRAY
Hulya Kolabas
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Pick a Coffee Table in an Unexpected Color
Bring your outdoor space to life by designing your space around a coffee table in a non-traditional color (think navy blue).
RELATED: 20 Easy Coffee Table Styling Tricks to Try Now
SHOP BLUE TABLE
Christopher Baker
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Embrace Furniture with a Preppy Twist
Michael Partenio
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Set the Mood with a Hanging Candle Holder
If your outdoor dining table setup is on the minimalist side, amp up the look with a hanging candle holder.
All it takes are a few simple votives set on top of faux greenery to complete the look.
Dawn Close, Design by Margie Grace
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Go for Sculptural Furniture
Sometimes less is more, especially when nature acts as a stunning backdrop. Here, concrete furniture adds visual interest, while letting a striking tree steal the show.
Mike Garten
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Upgrade Your Fence
Don't miss the opportunity to deck out a basic backyard fence. An assortment of small potted plants can do the trick.
SHOP POTTED PLANTS
Mike Garten
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Craft a Cozy Dining Space
Love nothing more than dining al fresco? Arrange a comfortable dining spot, complete with soft throws, decorative pillows, and lanterns.
© 2014 Lisa Romerein
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Build a Tree House
Delight your kids — and create visual interest — with a tree house that they'll want to hide out in all summer long.
DAVID TSAY
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All-White Furniture
Perfect for minimalist lovers, all-white furniture can give your outdoor space a timeless look.
Start with a white lounge chair, and finish the look by topping a rustic table with loads of greenery.
SHOP LOUNGE CHAIR
Mike Garten
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Install a Window Ledge
With the help of a simple wood board and shelf brackets, a backyard-facing window can serve as your very own at-home-bar. Just make sure you ledge is equal to or wider than the window itself.
SHOP WOOD BOARDS
Getty Images
18 of 45
Turn a Shed Into a Dining Room
An open shed can be turned into a fabulous dinner party space with the addition of vibrant chairs, a table, and some flowers.
SHOP COLORFUL CHAIRS
Brian Woodcock
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Cut Bandanas Into Swags
All you need to do is cut a square bandana into a triangle, and hot glue it onto some twine. Pick any color you like and repeat until you get the perfect length.
SHOP BANDANAS
Mike Garten
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Pick Double-Duty Furniture
What might seem like an unassuming, functional piece of furniture, a traditional potting bench with multiple levels is actually an ideal piece of storage for any outdoor space.
Use it to water plants one day, and serve of cold beverages the next!
I Spy DIY
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Dress Up a Doormat
A doormat is just a doormat until you use your favorite spray paint to elevate its look. What's great about this DIY is, you can buy an inexpensive one and turn it into something that only looks like it was big bucks.
Get the tutorial from I Spy DIY »
Max Kim-Bee
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Flip a Side Table
Turn over an oversized bucket (you may already have one buried in your garage!) and plop it down on your front porch to use as a little table to display flowers or hold a drink.
SHOP BUCKETS
Courtesy of DK Publishing
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Turn a Ladder Into a Garden
Not enough room to grow veggies? Try stacking your container garden on a painted wooden ladder.
Get the tutorial »
Buff Strickland
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Build a Fire Pit
Construct a fire pit by arranging curved paving stones in a circle.
It's tip-proof, even without mortar, and the entire undertaking takes just 20 minutes from start to finish.
Buff Strickland
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Hang a Pocket Planter
Hang an over-the-door shoe holder on the fence, tucking herbs into the compartments for a fun twist on a vertical planter.
Michael Partenio
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Float a Flower Arrangement
Before guests come over, pop some floating candles and zinnias in a birdbath for an instant water feature.
Get the tutorial »
Mike Garten
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Make a Magical Fairy Garden
The "fairy dust" may be just fun glitter but don't tell the kids. You can also mix up the theme of your planter by making a mermaid version instead.
Get the tutorial »
Michael Partenio
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Turn a Wood Rake Into a Display
Mounting a wooden-toothed rake by the back door provides a handy spot for both hats and snapdragons.
Get the tutorial »
Buff Strickland
29 of 45
Lean a Vertical Herb Garden
Keep your basil close at hand by screwing hose clamps onto a freebie wood pallet. The backboard leans against a railing, so you can keep fresh herbs right on the deck.
Courtesy of Eden Passante
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Make Your Own Citronella Candle
How to decorate the lawn on the site? – 8 soulful decoration ideas
Grass and tile patterns
Solid and broken paving slabs are suitable not only for decorating garden paths or the front entrance area, but also for creating interesting landscape compositions. Tiles can be laid out in the form of a labyrinth, a checkerboard or ornate spirals.
Almost any shape will do. They use both traditional concrete squares and tiles with an uneven edge that imitate raw natural stone. The latter, in combination with lawn grass, looks as natural as possible and does not require clear leveling of the ground.
Flowerbeds
The easiest way to brighten up your lawn is to create a flower garden. It can be a lushly flowering tapeworm or a colorful mixborder in the center of the site, or neat borders along garden paths.
When choosing varieties, consider not only the visual appeal of the flowers, but also their relationship to direct sunlight. If there is nothing to shade the flower bed, you should give preference to crops that are not afraid of the active sun.
Experienced gardeners often use cereals, verbena, gaillardia, kosmeya, purslane, etc. in such flower beds. Primroses take root well in open spaces.
Stone mounds
One of the best companions for a grass carpet is stone. A single boulder, rockery, and an ornamental mound of small pebbles will look harmonious. The latter can act as a frame for trees, shrubs and flower beds or be an independent element of garden decor. To make the embankment more picturesque, stones of different colors, sizes and shapes are used in one composition.
Here are a few options to consider:
- Crushed stone;
- Marble chips;
- Pebble;
- Granite;
- Basalt;
- Coil, etc.
In addition to stones, any other material suitable for mulching can be used to create decorative mounds. From cones, needles, sawdust and bark, multi-colored decorative compositions are created that help not only diversify the space, but also zone the site if necessary.
Decorative lawn mowing
Monochrome landscape lovers will certainly appreciate the idea of creating lawn patterns from grass of different lengths. The idea is as simple as possible, but it looks very original. It is enough to regularly mow the lawn in one area and let it grow in another.
Combination of short-cut lawns and islands of tall grass adds relief and dynamics to the landscape, and a single color scheme helps to maintain the unity of the ensemble. In addition to grass, you can use ground cover plants or dwarf shrubs that match the tone of the lawn.
Original paths
Since garden paths are indispensable on the site, you can use them not only for ease of movement, but also for decorating the territory. Instead of evenly poured concrete paths, a material is chosen that is most compatible with the green "carpet".
- Natural stone;
- Tree cuts;
- Mosaic;
- Board;
- Multicolored brick.
Using plastic molds and a cement-sand mixture for casting garden paths, you can create designer tiles in the form of leaves, footprints, honeycombs.
Shrubs and trees
Even if there is no task to turn the local area into an orchard, it is still worth planting a couple of trees and shrubs. There are several reasons:
- Bushes with a lush, originally cut crown add volume and dynamics to the landscape.
- Mature trees help to cover part of the territory from the scorching sun. In their shade, you can equip a recreation area or plant a flower garden.
- Most trees are excellent drainage pumps, capable of pumping several tens of liters of water out of the soil per day.
- Medium-sized shrubs serve as a hedge to hide from prying eyes or divide the site into functional zones.
Small Architectural Forms
The quickest way to liven up a lawn without disturbing its integrity is to place a few garden figures on the site or install a hand-made art object. If necessary, the decor can be removed to the house or moved to a new location.
Shop-bought figurines of garden gnomes, animals and birds, hand-painted stone compositions, portable planters and flowerpots are used. Birdhouses, small fountains, windmills, bridges, unusually shaped benches and other small architectural forms will become a real decoration of any site.
Lanterns
Decorating the lawn with lanterns solves both a decorative task and the issue of lighting the territory in the evening.
The easiest way to pick up solar-powered LED lamps. There will be no need to deal with the issues of laying electrical wiring, and if necessary, the lights can be moved to a new location.
In order to preserve the decorative effect of the design even in the daytime, it is worth choosing lamps of an unconventional shape.
- Spherical lanterns of different sizes look stylish and moderately minimalist.
- Lanterns in the form of flowers harmoniously fit into landscape design.
- Firework lights add brightness and lightness to the area, gem-shaped lanterns add sophistication.
Most of the above methods are quite budgetary, however, like the lawn itself, they require a fairly large time investment. Compositions of grass, flower beds, originally cut shrubs need the constant attention of the gardener. If the time resource is very limited, it is worth giving preference to small architectural forms: bridges, benches of a non-standard shape, plaster figures, garden fountains.
Such decor will cost a little more, but it will not require additional energy consumption throughout the season.
Idea for decorating the garden - decorating the lawn with your own hands
Why decorate the lawn?
A beautifully trimmed bright green lawn can be the main element of the landscaping of a country house. Although the lawn has an attractive appearance, a few years after planting, an empty green surface can become boring to you. In order to return mystery and creativity to the dacha without any special cash costs, it is recommended to decorate the lawn using the most original ideas for decorating the garden!
Garden lawn decoration
Additional lawn decoration does not require a lot of time and money, besides, a small modification of the site will practically not bring harm to the grass itself.
Now let's look at the most original lawn design ideas!
Ways to decorate the lawn
Today, the following ways to decorate the lawn with your own hands are popular:
-
Using Painted Barrels
-
Lawn decoration with colorful trees and shrubs
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Use of hanging baskets on tree branches
-
Lawn decoration with flowerbeds and mixborders
-
Use of small architectural forms and garden sculpture
In order for you to imagine the merits of each of the methods, let's briefly consider their essence and photo examples.
Painted barrels
Painted barrels have appeared in landscape design quite recently and won sympathy among summer residents in a short period of time. All you need is to find some metal 200-liter barrels, paint them to your liking and set them on the lawn.
To your attention a photo of painted barrels:
- Blue painted barrel
- pink painted barrel
- Painted barrels in the country
- Lawn decoration with painted barrels
Bright trees and shrubs
The second idea for decorating the lawn is planting bright flowering trees and shrubs around the perimeter of the site. Choose plants that have a golden, crimson, purple and scarlet color. Together with trees, it’s a good idea to plant even undersized flowers that have a contrasting shade.
Among the most beautiful trees that will be combined with lawn grass, there are sucker, sea buckthorn and silver willow. Next to the trees, blue forget-me-nots will be beautifully combined.
Photos of trees and shrubs on the lawn:
- Alpine lawn decoration
- Lawn decoration with ornamental shrubs
- Decorative shrubs on the lawn
Hanging flower baskets
Another rather creative lawn decoration idea is to plant a tree in the center of the green area. When the tree grows up, you need to decorate it with hanging baskets of flowers, simply by hanging the plants on the branches. This idea looks very good, but it will take several years to wait.
- Hanging basket with flowers
- Hanging basket on a tree
Flower beds and mixborders
As in the first case with trees, bright flowerbeds and mixborders are arranged along the contour of the lawn.
