Looking for easy ways to add charm to your yard? I’ve rounded up some ideas to capture that laid-back vibe that beckons you to stay outside a while. No matter what your style is, it’s all about looking for spaces that could use some extra personality.
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I can’t believe we’re working our way up to our fourth year in our fixer-upper, 1890s farmhouse! And even though the majority of our focus has been on doing a top to bottom renovation of every single room inside, we’ve started to do quite a bit of work outside too. Sure, everyone has or wants an outdoor patio with patios, chairs, and a fire pit to mingle and socialize. We want that too, but our ultimate goal at Sunny Side Up is to create our own little outdoor haven with outside spaces that are relaxing and invite you to slow your pace and simply enjoy living in the moment. And sometimes, it’s the little things that do just that. Here are a few of our favorites.
Garden Art
Flower beds always look beautiful and add pretty color to your landscape, but sometimes you want to add a little something extra to lend even more personality. At our very first house, we planted a little sunflower plant one of the girls brought home from school in a styrofoam cup. We watched that sunflower grow all summer and then we brought the gigantic head full of seeds back to school for a show and tell. It was a hit with the little kids! This sunflower sculpture I bought at a local art festival is a permanent reminder of that magical childhood memory. Art festivals are great places to find truly unique garden art that speaks to your own aesthetic. This piece is perfect, especially since we still love sunflowers and have them planted next to our 1890s barn.
I also have several pieces of Carruth Garden Smiles pieces tucked in little spaces around our property. I love watching nature and this little frog is tucked in by our raspberry and blueberry bushes. He looks right at home on this piece of fieldstone. I also have an original Garden Smile, their signature piece, in one of my flower beds.
Whimsical Pieces
Easy ways to add charm to your yard can also be accomplished with touches of whimsy. A few years ago, the girls got me this bright aqua blue flower watering can flowerpot. They know how much I love to get out in my garden. I planted bright yellow dahlias in it for that vibrant, yet still old-fashioned farmhouse feel.
A few years ago, I snagged this old-fashioned bicycle planter at a local antique shop. It’s tucked in near our side door entry, and I love its chippy look. No matter your decorating style, unique containers add personality to your outdoor spaces and say a lot about what you love without saying a word. Many greenhouses stock interesting options beyond plaster and fiberglass planters, but thrift stores and antique shops are among my favorite places to look for that one-of-a-kind find.
Birdhouses
You better believe that I’m going to be a serious birder someday. Beyond the fact that northwest Ohio is a hotspot for birdwatchers across the country, I just love watching them. This wind chime bird feeder looks like an old tea kettle. It’s right next to our tiny back patio, and it’s so mesmerizing to watch them flit around and build nests in it. There are so many cute birdhouses available now, way beyond standard wood models. Check out this midcentury modern version as well as this coastal style. I highly recommend adding a few birdhouses to your yard. Your birds will be styling!
Rustic Touches
Although these next few are specific to our farmhouse, adding a few surprising places for flowers to bloom on your own property can provide a lot of charm. Last fall, I spaced daffodil bulbs around our split rail fence. When they bloomed early this spring, they added a nice burst of color, especially after we were surprised by some late snowfall. As I mentioned earlier in this post, we plant sunflowers in the space where there used to be a silo near our barn. It needed a little something on that side of the barn, and cars passing our little farm can now see how pretty the sunflowers look against the backdrop of chippy paint.
We also restored this dinner bell and pole last year. It was a small yet fun project, and I never tire of the way the sun hits it early in the morning or during that golden sunset hour!
Easy ways to add charm to your yard abound. Sometimes, it’s the most fun when you stumble upon that perfect thing for your yard when you’re not even looking. What kind of personal touches have you added to your yard? Do you have a favorite spot to chill out and relax? I’d love to hear about it!
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