When we were house hunting a few years ago, the first thing that drew us to our house was the beautiful landscaping! The previous owners of our house put a ton of time (and money) into a new landscape design for the whole lot (and we live on a 1/3 acre corner lot so there is a good amount of yard space). Their efforts definitely paid off because it was the main reason I fell in love with this house, and we receive so many compliments on the landscaping!
I have really grown to love gardening and taking care of our yard over the years. It is a lot of hard work (there are never ending leaves to rake in the fall!) but the reward of having a beautiful green yard is worth it! I also love hangin outside and the kids love helping with the yard work as well, so it’s a great activity to do as a family.
Now that the landscaping is thriving, I’ve been wanting to focus on adding some garden decor into the mix to add some character and whimsical touches! I really love fun and unexpected art and decor in gardens and yards. It really makes the yard feel enchanting, homey and loved.
There are so many ways to add these fun garden decor ideas! Below I’m sharing over 50 of the best small garden decor ideas that will transform your plain backyard into a whimsical and dreamy summer retreat!
Small Garden Decor Ideas
The previous owners of our house had a few bird houses in the large maple trees surrounding our house, and I thought they were so charming and cute! I definitely want to add some of our own! This could be a fun activity to involve your kids with too! Anyone else remember making those peanut butter and birdseed pinecones in school?!
There is something so relaxing about sitting outside and listening to a soft wind chime 🙂 The sound can transform your backyard to a relaxing spa with a light breeze, and there are so many beautiful and unique options! They can really be like a work of art for your backyard or patio.
A bird bath is another decor idea for your garden that is like a work of art. They can be beautiful and sculptural, and the sound of running water can be so calming. We actually have a spot and hook up for a bird bath in our backyard but haven’t purchased one yet! I think it would be fun to find something vintage to use!
If you love the look of a bird bath but don’t want to maintain it, or don’t have a way to get water to it, consider planting a small succulent garden in one! This is such a cute and unique small garden decor idea! Succulents don’t need a ton of soil or space to grow either so a bird bath would be the perfect planter for them.
If you don’t have room for an in-ground garden or raised garden bed (or just don’t want to deal with a large garden) a container garden could be perfect for you! There are many plants that do well in containers all summer long, like tomatoes, herbs, peppers and lettuce. It is also much easier to maintain and water by keeping your garden in a small contained area. You can mix and match different sizes and styles of planters for an eclectic and custom look!
Don’t forget and adding greenery up above as well! Hanging planters are a great way to add more texture and color to your yard and patio space. Make sure to ditch the standard plastic hook and use a macrame plant hanger for a cute and custom upgrade.
Check out how to easily make your own macrame planter hanger here!
Also don’t forget about using any vertical space for your garden, especially if you are lacking on space! I’ve seen so many cute vertical garden ideas, installed on walls, fences, even free-standing structures! Succulents and vines do really well in these. I love the idea of adding a plant stand to an empty corner or a trellis to an empty wall!
See how we made these Simple DIY Wood Slat Trellises here!
Adding accent lighting outside creates a welcoming and peaceful ambiance, while also adding function at night. Overhead string lights can help designate a seating or gathering space, and solar path lights can help with way-finding and also provide a pretty glow. You can even add some outdoor lanterns or candles around. There are so many different types of lights you can add to your outdoor space! I love adding a mix of brighter string lights and soft twinkling lights all around!
I think fairy gardens are SO CUTE and really want to make one with my kids this summer! There are so many fun little fairy garden supplies you can shop for! You can set up a fairy garden in a planter, or even in an old bird bath!
I think the tree face decorations are so much fun! They are whimsical and silly but also pretty minimal and don’t stand out too much. I actually love how they can blend in to your yard… you really have to look to see them! It’s a small touch that can make your yard feel unique and charming. We recently got this tree face bird feeder and I think it is so cute!
I also love these fairy doors for trees! You can add them to tree stumps, at the bottom of tree trunks, or they are perfect if you have a tree with a large knot or hole in it. They are another way to add fun little surprises around your yard!
Small garden fountains are a great way to add ambiance to your backyard and create a spa like retreat! The sound of running water is so relaxing, and the fountain can double as a beautiful garden sculpture or birdbath as well! There are options for every budget and space, from small table top fountains to bigger free-standing garden fountains.
Add whimsical touches to your planters and garden with some cute garden stakes!
There are a lot of cute garden sculptures and objects that you can add around your yard! From bunnies, to frogs, to garden gnomes…you can really add some personality! I love the concrete and distressed / mossy covered sculptures that kind of blend into the landscaping but add a fun and unexpected pop of character.
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