| The art of managing outdoor space | | | | can place a plant stand, set a statue or fountain, or |
| Designing a patio - or a garden, is much like designing | | | | leave a path for friends to walk - but you must also |
| a living room or a park. It's all about space, and how | | | | remember the space above the ground! In some |
| you use it. To start with, you have empty space | | | | ways, vertical space is even more important than |
| with nothing in it. Then you add plants, statues and | | | | ground space!Walls or fences can be beautified with |
| other decorative items to fill that space and make it | | | | the simple addition of a garden plaque, a wall fountain |
| feel like a homey, comfortable space.. but wait! You | | | | or a planter on a shelf. If you want a more functional |
| don't want to actually fill it with stuff. Then it would | | | | wall item, try a garden thermometer. Training a vine |
| look cluttered, which is not what you want. What | | | | or some ivy up a trellis is a great way to use some |
| you want is a balance between empty space and | | | | vertical space and create a sense of intimacy and |
| decorative items. The real issue, then, is how do you | | | | privacy as well.Then, of course, there are the hanging |
| achieve that balance?Use Clustering to make the | | | | items.. hanging plants are a great way of lifting the |
| most of your outdoor space | | | | eye up to a new vantage point and adding a vertical |
| The first mistake most people make when | | | | element to your green space. Windchimes are a |
| decorating a patio, backyard or garden is to take | | | | special prize, because they are not only a delight to |
| their planters, fountains, statues, etc. and spread | | | | the eye, but a treasure for the ears as well. |
| them out evenly to try to cover as much space as | | | | Suncatchers also add a unique beauty with their |
| possible. This is especially tempting for those on a | | | | ability to catch the sunlight and turn it into yet |
| tight budget, since they may not be able to afford | | | | another decorative accent. When placing hanging |
| as many accessories and accents as they would like. | | | | decor, think 'outside of the box'... hanging items can |
| Spreading things out evenly, though, creates a boring | | | | be part of the clusters you create with your plants |
| space which doesn't give the eye anything in | | | | and statuary or they can hang by themselves, |
| particular to focus on. It is much more pleasing to | | | | defining turning points along the garden path or |
| group your plants and decor items into clusters, so | | | | providing embellishment to the open space between |
| that several items can be seen at once, in a friendly | | | | clusters.There are so many ways to use vertical |
| grouping, with empty space between providing | | | | decor I can only mention a few of them here: Hang |
| variety. This way, your visitors' eyes can move easily | | | | them from eaves and overhangs to adorn borders, |
| and comfortably from one cluster to another - each | | | | suspend them from awnings and overhead beams |
| cluster is distinct in character and the empty space | | | | for a more enclosed and intimate effect, and if you |
| between emphasizes their unique natures.Try to think | | | | have a tree or two in your garden how about |
| of each plant, statue, plaque or other accent as | | | | hanging a plant from a branch or placing a planter in |
| having its own personality, and place them together | | | | the crook of a bough? Now you're using clustering |
| in groups that allow them to relate to each other in | | | | and vertical space at the same time by using a plant |
| pleasing and complementary ways; place two low | | | | to hold a plant!Winged visitors - your mobile |
| flowering plants on either side of a larger fern, or | | | | decorations! |
| place a small statue between a palm and a vine - the | | | | Birds are beautiful to look at and lovely to listen to, |
| possibilities are endless and are only limited by your | | | | but most important to your garden or patio design, |
| creativity and imagination!Take your visitors on a | | | | they move around on their own! Attract birds to |
| journey | | | | your outdoor space and you'll have a constant |
| Think about what a visitor will see as they enter and | | | | variety of design as they flit from branch to branch |
| move through your patio, garden or backyard. What | | | | or light and preen on a fountain or statue. Birds are |
| will catch their eye first? Once they've enjoyed | | | | nature's own decor and attracting them to your |
| looking at that, what will they look at next? Where | | | | garden or backyard is easy.. just give them |
| will their attention be drawn, and where will that | | | | something to eat, a place to bathe and somewhere |
| carry their feet? Professional designers set up their | | | | to build a nest! Birdbaths and bird feeders are |
| spaces much like a story; the intent is to guide their | | | | excellent as statue items and ensure a steady supply |
| visitors' attentions - and their bodies - through the | | | | of feathered friends as well. Bird houses are |
| space so that everything is seen and everything is | | | | especially nice because they can be used for vertical |
| enjoyed in an interesting and pleasing order.Try to | | | | space decoration as well as providing a comfortable |
| create special accent zones to show off your most | | | | place for sparrows and starlings to nest or just to |
| treasured items by placing them right in the visitor's | | | | hang out for awhile! What's a garden or patio without |
| path, or by placing them at eye level, or by | | | | the beauty and song of birds?Dare to dream |
| surrounding them with unique accessories that set | | | | These three tips are just the beginning of the |
| the entire cluster apart from the others. If you take | | | | process. They're intended to get you started thinking |
| a little time to consider what people will see and | | | | like a professional designer and considering the |
| where they will go as they make their way through | | | | unlimited possibilities that your unused outdoor spaces |
| your garden space, you'll find that creating a relaxing | | | | present. Don't let your space lie dormant.. bring it to |
| and pleasant garden or backyard is just a matter of | | | | life with your own creativity, your own flair and with |
| common sense!Don't neglect the vertical space | | | | affordable garden decor and accessories from |
| It's easy to think about your outdoor areas in terms | | | | Springtime Gardens!! |
| of their ground or floor space - the area where you | | | | |