This is What's Missing From Your Garden
Find out how outdoor sculptures are a key element for completing your home's oasis
Bring that perfect point of completion to your garden by adding one last element. Aside from planting, furniture and all-round maintenance, there is another way to decorate your garden and bring your outdoor space to life, and that is with sculptures.
For many of us who have gardens, the popular gardening style today is mostly a fusion of modern and traditional features, and we are often looking for a golden mean between sculpture and classical statuary which is a single statue or a group of statues.
This golden mean might instead be a pot or a collection of pots, a planted container, some boulders, a decorative wall plaque, or even just a wall niche. What matters is the way you use to the best advantage to catch the eye and give a raison d’etre to the structure of the garden or its planting.
Find a landscape designer from the Houzz directory to help design your outdoor space
This golden mean might instead be a pot or a collection of pots, a planted container, some boulders, a decorative wall plaque, or even just a wall niche. What matters is the way you use to the best advantage to catch the eye and give a raison d’etre to the structure of the garden or its planting.
Find a landscape designer from the Houzz directory to help design your outdoor space
Things to consider when choosing your sculpture
- Think of it as a great way of adding personality to your garden, making it an extension of your home.
- The aim of any sculptural element must be to bring a calming elegance and a new dimension to your garden, whatever size it may be.
- Be on the lookout for materials that will be able to survive the harsh Indian weather. Materials like wrought iron, bronze, concrete and stone handle our weather well and are tough.
- The sculpture need not be monumental in order to create an impact. Even small artworks displayed in garden nooks can be a great addition to your outdoor space.
- Any piece you choose should reflect your individual style and taste, so if you find something you really love, just go for it!
Things to consider when positioning your sculpture
- Compare the size of both the sculpture and your space. The size of the sculpture should be in keeping with the amount of space available and should be proportionate, so as not to overpower the space, nor be too small in comparison with it.
- Think of the angle from which you and your guests will view it.
- See where the sunlight will catch it at different times of day or year. This can create interest in terms of shade and shadows that are cast on the sculpture and also by it on its surroundings.
- If you’ve got a large garden, bigger pieces can be placed in the centre of your lawn or amongst foliage to break up your planted borders and bring them to life.
- For smaller gardens, small sculptures nestled amongst flower beds can surprise and delight viewers, or can be used to draw attention to interesting design features, if placed within wall nooks or archways.
Let’s take a look at some examples of sculptural features and the effects they create in the garden.
Grandeur in stone
This elegant but rustic stone container acts as both a sculpture and a planter, and adds a layer of complexity to the garden and planting.
This elegant but rustic stone container acts as both a sculpture and a planter, and adds a layer of complexity to the garden and planting.
Reading at leisure
This figurine placed strategically on top of a mound in a leisurely reading position adds life to the garden’s structure, making it feel alive.
This figurine placed strategically on top of a mound in a leisurely reading position adds life to the garden’s structure, making it feel alive.
The boy and the goose
Traditional statuary like the one pictured here, particularly in active poses like this, brings a sense of movement to the garden.
Traditional statuary like the one pictured here, particularly in active poses like this, brings a sense of movement to the garden.
Abstract piece
When opting for a modern sculptural piece, something abstract like the one pictured here also achieves the same effect of creating movement in the garden.
Tip:
Consider installing sculptures on a plinth that is in keeping with materials used on the project. For example, wrought iron or other metal sculptures can be mounted on a fabricated pedestal. Also, size and weight need to be considered for positioning a sculpture on a raised platform.
When opting for a modern sculptural piece, something abstract like the one pictured here also achieves the same effect of creating movement in the garden.
Tip:
Consider installing sculptures on a plinth that is in keeping with materials used on the project. For example, wrought iron or other metal sculptures can be mounted on a fabricated pedestal. Also, size and weight need to be considered for positioning a sculpture on a raised platform.
Sculptural tree
This standalone tree in the middle of a court not only creates a contrast to the green backdrop but also complements the natural planting scheme in an artistic way, becoming a focal point.
This standalone tree in the middle of a court not only creates a contrast to the green backdrop but also complements the natural planting scheme in an artistic way, becoming a focal point.
Wave theory
This wave-style double chaise seat anchors the outdoor space, serving as equal parts lounge apparatus and art piece. Eclectic Southeast-Asian accents in the background keep the space feeling relaxed and informal.
This wave-style double chaise seat anchors the outdoor space, serving as equal parts lounge apparatus and art piece. Eclectic Southeast-Asian accents in the background keep the space feeling relaxed and informal.
Sculpture fountain
When using sculpture in combination with water, make sure that both complement each other. Here the sculpture doubles as a water spout from which water trickles into the pond below, creating the additional effect of ‘sound’ in the garden.
When using sculpture in combination with water, make sure that both complement each other. Here the sculpture doubles as a water spout from which water trickles into the pond below, creating the additional effect of ‘sound’ in the garden.
Standing by the water
By contrast, in this garden, the sculpture is independent of the water body, but follows the aquatic motif, taking the form of a frog. This unifies both elements together and creates a sense of humour in the garden.
By contrast, in this garden, the sculpture is independent of the water body, but follows the aquatic motif, taking the form of a frog. This unifies both elements together and creates a sense of humour in the garden.
Sculpted wall
Using garden walls as sculptural elements is another great way to accessorise your garden. Pictured here is a part of the wall converted into a feature by using contrasting colour and mural graphics on it, making it a point of focus.
Using garden walls as sculptural elements is another great way to accessorise your garden. Pictured here is a part of the wall converted into a feature by using contrasting colour and mural graphics on it, making it a point of focus.
A place of solitude
An otherwise plain and monotonous wall has been brought to life with the help of a human figurine, innovatively positioned reclining against it. Also note how the shadows of the trees around it are used, making it a great composition.
An otherwise plain and monotonous wall has been brought to life with the help of a human figurine, innovatively positioned reclining against it. Also note how the shadows of the trees around it are used, making it a great composition.
Antique look
A traditional Indian sculptural wall motif on the wall, surrounded with a creeping fig vine (Ficus pumila) forms a tranquil and ‘lost in time’ atmosphere.
Read more:
Guide to Growing the Golden Bamboo
A Beginner’s Guide to a Moon Garden
Tell us:
If you enjoyed reading this story, like it, and tell us about it. How would you like to use sculptures in your garden? Write in Comments below.
A traditional Indian sculptural wall motif on the wall, surrounded with a creeping fig vine (Ficus pumila) forms a tranquil and ‘lost in time’ atmosphere.
Read more:
Guide to Growing the Golden Bamboo
A Beginner’s Guide to a Moon Garden
Tell us:
If you enjoyed reading this story, like it, and tell us about it. How would you like to use sculptures in your garden? Write in Comments below.
Depending on the design of your garden, that is, whether it tends to be more modern or traditional, you can opt for a sculpture or a piece of classical or traditional statuary to be that culminating feature for your garden – something that truly sets it apart from other gardens.