When warm weather arrives, most people prefer to be outside as much as possible, making an outdoor space more than just a garden. Today, gardens are multi-purpose areas that reflect personal interests and personalities, and are often used for the same activities that take place indoors. A garden can serve as a much-needed retreat that – when well-designed and decorated – can help to increase a home’s liveable space.
Over the next 26 days, we’ll focus on the backyard by letter, with an A to Z guide, full of smart and stylish outdoor decor ideas, along with useful and unique garden elements.
Did we miss something? Tweet your photos and ideas @MovatoHome! Use this backyard bible to transform your outdoor area into a relaxing personal sanctuary that can be enjoyed all year round.
R – Recycled Elements – Create an eco-conscious garden by introducing thrifty, up-cycled décor or re-used materials. Scouring for salvage can be a lot of fun and is great way to express your creativity. Sourcing unique and inexpensive garden art can be as easy as scouting out old items you own, or asking family and friends for items they may no longer want. Visit salvage yards, garden centres or car boot sales and look for items that speak to you. Use materials as you find them, and spruce them up with a sand and varnish or a fresh lick of paint.
Seek out charming rusted gates, grand timber doors, distressed window frames and shutters, or antiqued mirrors to create a statement within the garden. Re-use old wagons or wheelbarrows and wooden furniture like a chair or dresser to display plants and flowers. Add a vintage looking bicycle, bird cages or an old horse saddle to create a sense of whimsy. A small, claw-foot bath can be filled with ice and drinks to create the perfect party ice bucket, etc. The ideas are endless! These unique, unexpected items — when placed creatively — can transform from junk to spunk and enliven your outdoor space.
For a list of Architectural Salvage Yards and Re-claimed Materials in Canada check out Legacy Vintage.
Miss our last post from this A to Z guide? This guide is full of garden goodies, great ideas and practical solutions to help you create a summer-ready outdoor retreat. Just in case: A — Al fresco dining; B — Bunting; C — Cinema; D — Daybed; E — Eco Garden Room; F — Fire Pits; G — Glow-in-the-Dark Elements; H — Herb Garden; I — Irrigation System; J — Jumbo Joss Sticks; K — Kitchenette; L — Living Wall; M — Mosaics; N — Night Lighting. O — Ornaments & Sculptures; P — Pizza Ovens; Q — Quirky Accessories.
