Comments on: At what point is “going over board” when it comes to lawn decor, such as statues, windmills, coloured lights?

By: B Anne

B Anne — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:48:27 +0000

If you like lawn ornaments then a few are fine. When people start slowing down to look at the crazy yard, then it is too much. I would say three things in the front yard would be plenty. But you should do what you like and not worry about what anyone else thinks.

By: meanolmaw

meanolmaw — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:48:27 +0000

this is pretty, but too much for the size of the yard…

http://media.photobucket.com/image/tacky%20yards/ShevaTravels/Toronto/DSCF4263.jpg

if you look around your yarden, you’ll see ’sections’…. there’s a tree over there, on this side of the walkway, there’s a clump of daylily, on the other side of the driveway, there’ some holly bushes, on the sunny side of the house, there’s roses…..

each of those ’sections’ could handle one doohickey… a gazing ball here…. an angel statue there…. it’s even better if you don’t see one very well from where the other one is…. and for the bare of winter, they can always go in the garage till spring, if you like….

in the backyard, it’s up to you…. things that you love, or that make you smile are just dandy…. the backyard is yours and no one gets to tell you WHAT you should have there!!…..

By: Goldilocks Gardener

Goldilocks Gardener — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:48:27 +0000

I like the answers you already got. It’s a matter of taste. Personally I like decorations that look like they belong. My biggest violation of that rule is a huge frog sitting on the surround of my fish pond. It’s a bit cutesy for me, but it houses a uv light to kill the algae in the pond. And even that is colored like patined copper. I wouldn’t use lots of wild colors because I want the flowers to be the stars of the show. And I have lots of yard to work with, so I could use more things than someone with a small yard.

But, as I said, it’s a matter of taste. If you like it, go for it.

By: Ruth G

Ruth G — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:48:27 +0000

Going overboard for most people means just what you describe: lots of things all over the place.

Restraint is one of the hardest things to learn. Some people never learn it and they are perfectly happy. After all, it’s their yard.

However, if you are trying to avoid that "look", then follow some of the other opinions you received.

Look at the four sides of the front yard. Pick one side where the plantings are especially appealing and put in a well designed bird bath, where there is a little bit of morning sunshine.

In the back yard, where the steps coming down from the house meet the lawn, you can put animal sculptures, two alike or different, a bird, a turtle, a rabbit.

Another more elaborate bird bath in the middle of a flower bed will look pretty. And if there are other features in the garden, like a patio, you can add another piece on one corner, a good large urn.

By this time, for the average garden, you’ve probably got enough. If it is a large garden, add two or three more.

There’s a pretty free form sculpture that might inspire you to try the same. The stones are somehow balanced on each other. They do get knocked down from time to time but are easy to reset.

The picture is on http://americanmadeyes.com/patioandgarden.html

By: mom of 3 and done!

mom of 3 and done! — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:48:27 +0000

I feel it’s your yard, put as much or as little as you like, it’s what make you happy.

By: mrlaze

mrlaze — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:48:27 +0000

You want to use them as focal points. The same goes for applying night lights. Focus on the pretty branch structure of a tree or something similar. Also stay away from colored laights, those are tacky and scream ‘dorm room decor’ not something for a home, in my opinion.

Get some landscape design books if you can. Or take a day to sit in barnes & noble or the library. They will give you good ideas on how to create a nice yard, where to light, where to place statuary and fountains.

Its really hard to say without seeing your yard, but too many becomes tacky, Id say 2-3 at the very most.

By: mrsfarmer

mrsfarmer — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:48:27 +0000

there is a house down the street from me and they have 3 white fountains, several statues and about 20 rainbow windmills in the shapes of flowers stuck all over the lawn. that is the definition of overboard!

By: Kyle

Kyle — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:48:27 +0000

If you like to do it, then you should just do as much as you’d like. I’d say the limit might be…an airplane? Basically, do whatever you want. I don’t think you can go too far.

By: nataliexoxo

nataliexoxo — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:48:27 +0000

well each yard is different due to size and lay out but i say overboard is when you have so much going on your eyes can’t focus on the simple beauty of the flowers and plants in the yard.

if your eyes are jumping to ducks, lights, globes, windmills and what ever other knick knacks are around in the yard – that’s too much.

By: mickiinpodunk

mickiinpodunk — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:48:27 +0000

Do it one or two pieces at a time. Don’t be afraid to rid yourself of anything you find you don’t like, or doesn’t fit with the rest, and you’ll know when enough is enough when you look at it from the street. And keep one thing in mind, every doodad you put on the lawn is one more thing you have to mow and weed around.