8 Ways to Rev Up Your Garden Color With More Than Just Plants
Bring energy and excitement to your outdoor space by going bold with color, from small touches to big changes
Becky Harris
June 13, 2013
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia.
Houzz Contributor. Hi there! I live in a 1940s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe... More
Dare to add some dramatic color to the garden this year. There are many ways to bring bold splashes of color to your patio, border or lawn, such as simply throwing a few bright accessories around, painting a chair a shocking hue, adding a few colorful planters or creating a master plan that uses a vibrant plant palette.
Envision throwing a rockin' party in your yard (for adults, 6-year-olds or both) in one of these gardens, and get some lessons for going bold with color outside.
Envision throwing a rockin' party in your yard (for adults, 6-year-olds or both) in one of these gardens, and get some lessons for going bold with color outside.
1. Make a statement with a big, bright sculpture. A large sculpture in the garden serves as a focal point and conversation piece.
Even a funky piece of furniture can serve as sculpture, like this bench crafted from objects found on the site.
See the rest of this garden
See the rest of this garden
2. Replace gabion stones with recycled glass. Yellow and white glass pieces create a stunning base for this fountain.
More Houzz ideas for fountains
More Houzz ideas for fountains
3. Shock some life into a piece of furniture. A few coats of magenta paint transformed this wallflower of a chair into the star of the show.
Tip: A great option for your metal furniture is powder coating. It's the same type of application used on cars; you can find a local powder coater by doing an Internet search using the name of your town and "powder coating."
4. Color an accent wall a bodacious hue. Iconic architcect Luis Barragán used bright color in his iconic Mexican landscapes. The look still inspires many landscape architects, architects and garden designers.
Tip: Your potential accent wall probably already exists. Take a look around. An existing and currently ho-hum bench wall, retaining wall or fence could be just the spot for your big splash of accent color.
5. Be freer with an outbuilding. Those pesky neighbors who might fuss over a neon-green house can't see what's going on in your backyard, so have some fun with it and go bold on a shed, playhouse, garage or studio.
Tip: You can go for backyard freedom on a smaller scale. On a recent house tour, I spied this fabulous green-yellow trim around the garden and gasped with delight.
The windows with the bright trim were on the lower level (one level below street level) and around the back of the house for the homeowner to enjoy from her beautiful garden.
The windows with the bright trim were on the lower level (one level below street level) and around the back of the house for the homeowner to enjoy from her beautiful garden.
6. Use tile beyond the pool surround. Look to Spanish-colonial style for hand-painted tile used outdoors, or bold Moroccan courtyards for beautiful geometric tiles.
See the rest of this patio
See the rest of this patio
Tip: Forget everything you know about pool surrounds. The pool is a major design opportunity, and there is no rule that says you have to choose a subdued surround. Pools now have a range of tiles surrounding them, from vividly colored tiles to iridescent recycled glass mosaic tiles.
7. Accessorize with flash. On this roof deck, glass spikes catch the light in Vancouver's often-gray skies.
See the rest of this roof deck
See the rest of this roof deck
Tip: If you want to add bold color yet keep your outdoor space modern, try repetition. Stick with a limited color palette, then space out colored planters evenly. This will keep a modern order and rhythm while infusing the landscape with a dramatic hue.
8. Go bold with your flower color palette. The best colors in the garden come from plants. Do your research in Houzz's garden section for your zone and the types of plants you like — and don't be shy about studying plant tags and asking for help when you hit the nursery.
How have you added bold color to your patio, deck or other outdoor room? Let us know in the Comments section, and please post a picture if you have one.
How have you added bold color to your patio, deck or other outdoor room? Let us know in the Comments section, and please post a picture if you have one.
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I've been moving colorful little birdhouses around in the garden where a shot of color may be needed, especially with so much stone/gravel.