In this article:
From large, eye-catching statues to smaller pieces, garden sculptures have always been a great way to bring personality and beauty to your outdoor space. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, often showing figures, animals, or abstract imagery, and can turn any garden into a space that feels alive and inspiring.
Before choosing your statuary, whether it’s a classic figural piece, a modern textured shape, or a fun animal figure, try to imagine yourself visiting your garden for the first time. What type of style or sense would you like to receive? Do you want to attract attention or subtly complement your plants and landscaping? What type of style are you interested in? Modern, traditional, or inspired by something else?
In our post, we'll share our advice and recommendations to help you make the most of your garden sculptures, choose them based on your style, and how you can place them for better effect. Just a small disclaimer before diving in: keep in mind that we’ll use different terms like “statues,” “sculptures”, and “statuary” pretty interchangeably to describe these outdoor art pieces. And if you're looking for the perfect addition to your garden, don’t forget to check out our diverse selection of statues in our new Art & Statuary Collection.
Ready to get creative? Here are our top 8 tips:
1. Match Your Sculpture with Your Garden’s Style
Before exploring how you can use different sculptures, you need to make sure that you're choosing the right one based on your garden’s overall style. If your space is more modern, we would advise going for sleek, abstract designs like the Cyclatic Head or the Polyhedron sculpture.
If, on the other hand, you have a more traditional setting in mind, you can choose something more classic like this Lighthouse or the Fruit Finial statue by Massarelli. As you settle on your style, try to visually picture what size garden statues would do well and where, and remember that no matter what your style is, the key is always to choose sculptures that complement the atmosphere you're creating, as well as the overall aesthetic of your garden.
2. Experiment with Shapes and Textures
We know it's not easy to select an art piece, but before you do, remind yourself to feel a little more daring than usual and try experimenting. If you want to make a bold statement, then larger pieces with rough textures, like the Soaring Owl or the Aizu Lantern by Campania, could be great choices.
In contrast, pieces like the Cantilevered Lantern from Massarellis or the Goose Concrete statue by Campania, with fine details and smooth textures, are great as smaller, subtle accents. Of course, these are just some examples, and everything depends on your style and preferences.
But before moving to the next tip, you can take a step further and consider mixing different sizes and textures together to create an interesting contrast and unique setting.
3. Create a Themed Display
So, another way to think about mixing sizes and textures is actually grouping sculptures together so you can tell a story and create a specific theme. For example, a fantasy or fairytale-inspired corner using a dragon and a wizard, like the Fiona Winged Dragon and Merlin statues from Campania, would definitely give character to your garden.
And for those looking for something more religious-themed, you can combine pieces like a statue of St. Francis, the Angel of Hope, and a cross statue from the Eternity Cross collection.
The options and combinations are endless, so if this idea speaks to you, take the time to explore the different styles so you can find the perfect pieces to bring your vision to life.
4. Selecting Natural Features
This is definitely one of the most timeless choices anyone can make. Whether you're going for a rustic or modern aesthetic, adding sculptures inspired by the natural world is an easy way to enhance your space and you simply can’t go wrong.
So, if you're looking for a garden sculpture that matches effortlessly with your garden's surroundings, choosing pieces that mimic natural elements like tree bark, stone, or organic shapes is always a great choice that adds a touch of character. For example, statues like the Birds on a Branch or the Cactus by Massarelli are choices that work beautifully in any garden!
5. Maintain a Consistent Style from Indoors to Outdoors
Decorating your garden with sculptures isn’t much different from decorating your home. What you can also do is take inspiration from your indoor style and extend it to your outdoor space. If your home has a minimalist or rustic aesthetic, choose sculptures that complement that vibe. You’ve probably already done half of the work, so why not create a more natural flow between your indoor and outdoor areas? This can make your entire space feel more unified and well-designed.
6. Invite the Eye to Specific Corners and Areas
We discussed how a sculpture can bring unique character to your space, but when placed strategically, it can also be used to draw attention to specific parts of your garden. So, try to identify the area where you want to put your statue, figure out how far away it will be when someone sees it for the first time, what it will look like from a distance, and how it will change as you walk closer. This will help you visualize the impact it will have on that spot. But let us give you a few examples.
For those who already have a fountain or pond, choosing to put a simple Pelican or a Flamingo statue near it can make the space feel more dynamic and natural, highlighting your water feature area. On the other hand, adding a statue at the entrance, like a guardian Sitting Lion, you can create a strong first impression while also evoking a sense of strength and security.
Keep in mind that while you’ll want your statues to attract attention, make sure they don’t overwhelm your space. We know that the right size of statues in an outdoor space can be easily underestimated, so you need to consider this carefully.
7. Plan the Surrounding Plantings
Now, let’s say you already have or have chosen your statue(s). As a next step, we would recommend considering how they’ll interact with your plantings. If you don’t have any plants yet, choose ones that match the colors and style of your statue. For example, tall grasses can highlight a large statue, while smaller plants like shrubs or flowers can make a smaller statue stand out even more.
However, if you already have plants that you love in your garden, then we advise you to choose an outdoor statue that will fit perfectly around them, while being careful not to disturb their growing environment.
8. Consider Lighting
Making sure your statue is placed correctly can make a huge difference. For example, placing it near a path where the morning or afternoon sunlight hits can create beautiful shadows and highlights, giving the statue a unique effect. You can also experiment with how light changes throughout the day to see how it enhances your statue at different times.
But don’t stop there! Outdoor lighting can add an extra layer of charm after the sun goes down. Spotlighting or using soft lights around your sculptures, or lanterns and string lights nearby, can all create a warm, inviting atmosphere that will make a statue stand out even more at night!
And there you have it!
Our 8 tips about decorating your garden with sculptures so you can start visualizing your new garden and experiment to transform it into a space that is uniquely yours. You might be just starting or already have a foundation, but either way, we’re excited to share our ideas and guide you in choosing the perfect statues, fountains, and more pieces for your garden.
In fact, if you browse our Art & Statuary collection, you can find everything you need, no matter your style: from timeless classics and modern artistic designs to unique figures and nature-inspired ornaments.
If you need assistance or have any questions, feel free to reach out to our experts. The Fountainful team is always here to help you create the garden of your dreams!