Lawn Decor
Lawn décor can help to add life to any lawn. A few tasteful accents here and there can improve the view tremendously. Some of these options have been around for many years, and rise and fall in popularity, while others are classics and never go out of style. Some are new twists on old favorites. Don’t be afraid of change: a spruced-up lawn might just help to give you a better outlook on life — or at least a better view!
If you’ve been considering any kinds of lawn décor, here are some helpful hints to help you make the best of your lawn.
Over the years there have been several popular lawn ornaments: colorful pinwheels, the enchanting gazing ball or gazing globe (also known as a “reflecting ball” these balls are the size of a bowling ball, but often made of glass or another fragile material, and can be opaque or clear), stubby little gnomes, and the infamous pink flamingos. These decorations come and go with the different times and seasons, sometimes replaced by reindeer made of twigs for the winter season, or pillow sheets in the form of ghosts for the fall, yet other times removed for decades until they gain in popularity once again.
Yearning for tasteful landscape and design, many homes have opted for more classic décor, such as fountains, small ceramic statues and figurines of little children blowing bubbles or chasing butterflies, mini-ponds (sometimes with fish or turtles), bird baths (for those ever-bathing birds), and birdhouses and feeders (those little bird hotels are nice resting stops where they can eat, sleep, and sometimes take up residency).
A pleasant addition for many front lawns is a cobblestone (or mock cobblestone) path weaving its way through the flowery patches in front of many houses. This provides a rustic and cozy scene to any well-kept lawn.
Another pleasant sight to see is a yard lamp post. This old classic brings back visions of yesteryear. A single lamp post in the front yard, placed on the lawn near the driveway, is a classic addition to any front yard. These are often made of aluminum, and are available in a variety of colors, including classic black, white, green, and bronze. Many lamp posts also have the option of being lit by propane, natural gas, or light bulbs.
For those who have a passion for flowers, and are seeking creative ways to display them in your front yard, try the classically creative “flower bed.” Rummage at your local thrift store and find an old bed frame, like the size a toddler would sleep in. Set it up in your front yard, and scatter various kinds of seeds within its frame. Don’t just scatter them randomly, though! Consider planting one color where the sheets would be spread and another color where the pillow would lay. Having seen this done, it is a marvelously adorable idea for any lawn.
No matter what kinds of lawn ornaments you choose to accent your lawn, please remember that these accents are simply that: accents! These ornaments are there to accentuate your lawn, not take over. Less is more. You’ll get a lot more compliments (and self-satisfaction!) for the occasional gazing ball, bird bath and feeder, and flower bed, than you will if you pile those things all over your lawn in multiples. Remember, things can be rearranged, so just because you have 5 gazing balls (and love all the colors!) doesn’t mean that you need to place them all outside at once. Rearrange them from time to time, replacing one with another color, and then not only will others notice from time to time, but it will be a change for you, too!
The flamingos and gnomes may come and go, but creative and cultivated landscaping never goes out of style.
Julia Temlyn
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