Sculptures can add a sense of elegance or whimsy to a yard or garden. The affordability of statues, from less than $25 at a home decor retailer or into the thousands for one-of-a-kind pieces, makes it possible for any homeowner to add one to their landscape.
Eric King, a landscape architect and owner of Atlanta-based King Landscaping, cautions against making an impulse purchase for an outdoor sculpture.
“You want to have the general idea of where it’s going, the size, and some sense of what you’re looking for before you ever buy it,” he said.
Before plopping down a sculpture outside, these five factors can help you find the best way to display an ornamental piece.
1. Look for ignored or unappealing areas.
Sometimes sculpture creates interest in an empty or boring spot. For example, if homeowners have a retaining wall, statuary is one way to keep it from looking like a big, flat wall, said Linda Castle, owner of Decorated Designs. For an Atlanta client, Castle selected Grecian figures that represent the seasons and placed them on pedestals among greenery in front of a massive retaining wall. Sculptures, such as a metal dragon that a client purchased at the annual Southeastern Flower Show and placed in a Japanese-style garden, can command attention, King said.
2. Create dimension.
Adding landscaping elements, such as a mini wall or terrace, can carve out a spot for sculpture. If you don’t already have a garden or a landscaped area, use containers or planters to add natural aspect to the sculpture, whether it’s made of resin, iron or another material. If your landscaping is more mature, a sculpture could be tucked among trees and plants, just waiting to be discovered by people walking through the yard.
3. Consider the scale.
The scale of sculpture should drive the selection, similar to when purchasing art for inside a home. “You wouldn’t want a giant piece in a small room,” King said. He recommends bringing photos of different areas of the yard and reviewing them when a sculpture catches your eye. Also consider the color scheme and style of the landscaping.
4. Think about the materials.
When investing in statuary, the materials need to be chosen wisely. The sculptures depicting fall, winter, spring and summer that Castle chose were iron but were painted to be rust-resistant. The allure of sculpture also can be what happens as it ages and weathers. Materials such as bronze, which can be more expensive, develop a patina. Stone pieces can develop moss or lichen. Other materials include cast stone, terra cotta and resin, which is more lightweight.
5. Allow for some flexibility.
While statuary often lends itself to the character of your outdoor spaces, sculpture can help the landscaping or garden evolve. Don’t be afraid to try the pieces in a different spots over time, King said. “It is a journey and it should be fun,” he said.
About the Author
