Investing in garden accessories and ornaments is a quick, easy and inexpensive way of giving your garden a makeover; this can include garden statues that add height and drama to any garden vignette. The best garden statues allow you to put your own mark on your outdoor space - no matter if your taste is soothing or exuberant, there's a Buddha or a gnome that's perfect for you.
Introducing a statue or two is a low-maintenance way to add beauty to your outdoor space. Just be mindful of your garden's overall aesthetic so that you maintain a coherent look and feel. And take care not to add too many elements as your space will look cluttered. A general rule of thumb is that accessories for the garden should make up the final 10 per cent. That is true of area too; while you're creating a visually appealing backyard sanctuary - with tasteful neutrals and mood lighting - an oversize Venus de Milo is going to stick out like a sore thumb. So make sure the statue you are looking for fits the scale of your outdoor space.
The best garden statues at a glance:
• Best modern garden gnome: NINO Gnome - Buy now on Etsy
• Best rust effect statue: Cast Iron Mini Piglet - Buy now on Water Butts Direct
• Best garden Buddha statue: Sitting Buddha Garden Ornament - Buy now on Amazon
• Best contemporary garden statues: Large Bronze Hanging Statues - Buy now on Amazon
Style is another consideration - you may love gnomes and fairies more than Roman busts and goddesses. Equally, wildlife figurines or abstract geometric spheres could be more your vibe. Not to mention, there are themes and materials that are garden trends this year. For example, you can create an eclectic garden by juxtaposing materials like metal and wicker and by mixing patterns and colours. You could have a lot of fun and entertain guests by popping a neon Nino Gnome in amongst lush foliage.
Mood lighting has a big impact on the theatricality of a garden sculpture too. A little illumination can totally change the look and feel of an outdoor space. So bear this in mind when you position your statue and choose to use mains power, solar or candlelight to illuminate it.
Best garden statues
Whether you're recreating Easter Island or framing an archway with a pair of stately lions, the first thing to consider is your budget. We've put together a list of our favourites at a range of price points.
Best modern garden gnome
www.etsy.com
Meet Nino, ‘the first tasteful garden gnome’. Handmade from concrete with a geometric design, this kitsch icon has a new look, making it a must-have for the modern garden. Plato Design and the designer Pellegrino Cucciniello created the Nino gnome, which reinvents the humble garden gnome for the 21st Century. We say, go big or 'go gnome'!
Customer review: "The gnome I bought arrived carefully packaged but he unfortunately escaped into the forest just after we took him out of the box. Will probably order another."
Pros
- Stylish
- Available in a range of colours
Cons
- Some customers have found Nino to be smaller than expected
| Dimensions: | 5 x 5 x 16cm |
| Material: | Concrete |
| Weight: | 0.5kg |
- Handmade with Italian flair
- Follow @ninogardengnome on Instagram
Best rust effect statue
www.waterbuttsdirect.co.uk
Looking for something a bit unusual? This cute piglet sculpture is made from cast iron with a striking rust finish that will continue to weather, enhancing its vintage appearance and adding to its charm. Pop it in a flowerbed for a fun and quirky feature that won’t harm your plants.
Pros
- Quality cast iron
- Quirky
Cons
- No reviews
| Dimensions: | 13 x 31 x 11cm |
| Material: | Cast iron |
| Weight: | 5kg |
- Hand finished detail
Best garden Buddha statue
With an air of tranquillity, this Buddha statue will bring a sense of calm to your garden. Weather-resistant with a patina bronze finish, position it where you can see it wherever you are, indoors or out. Poised in a meditative stance, this Buddha exudes a soothing vibe and creates an air of relaxation and tranquillity in any outdoor space. Team with a water feature and pots of bamboo for a stylish Zen corner.
Customer review: "Lovely well made and nicely detailed Buddha, but I was disappointed with the size of it. It really is quite small and slim that could easily be lost in a small amount of garden foliage, so needs to be on a shelf or clean corner space along with other smaller objects."
Pros
- Value for money
- Looks expensive
- Beautiful design
Cons
- Position in a sheltered spot as it's lightweight
- Not overly weather resistant
| Dimensions: | W24cm x H30.5 x D16cm |
| Material: | Resin |
- Anti-fading
- Durable resin
- Weatherproof
- Waterproof
- Hand-painted bronze finish
Best bird garden statues
Walk on water with these gorgeous hand-crafted, antique copper and Verdigris effect heron statues. The taller heron statue is 99cm, and the other is 85cm. Because they are so striking they make a good bird deterrent around a pond. Equally, you could bring your winter pond to life with this elegant pair. They’re coated in a robust varnish so are generally weather resistant.
Customer review: "Very pleased with these. Easy to assemble the wings and legs and the cranes look great amongst plants. The copper and verdigris effect are nice and restful as I didn't want anything gaudy. Two pegs are supplied in the box to keep the feet in the ground. Think it would be better with four as may possibly blow over if not in a sheltered position and exposed to strong wind."
Pros
- Whimsical and elegant
- Weather resistant
- Looks expensive
Cons
- Position in a sheltered spot as the wings are a bit fragile
| Dimensions: | 19 x 61 x 99cm |
| Material: | Iron, metal |
| Weight: | 2.39kg |
- No sharp points
- Legs are disassembled for shipping
- No tools are required for assembling
- Comes with metal pegs to stabilise feet in the ground
Best contemporary garden statues
We love this - reach new heights with these contemporary hanging statues. Simply hook the loop at the top of the wire to a nail or screw and these climbing male figures will balance on your fence or wall. This a great example of all-new garden sculptures and a popular pick so hurry while stocks last.
Pros
- Unusual
- Weatherproof
Cons
- Likely to sell out
| Dimensions: | Average 6 x 2 x 7cm |
| Material: | Resin |
| Weight: | 3.8kg |
- Wire included
Best driftwood statue
www.notonthehighstreet.com
Add a natural touch with a unique driftwood garden statue and transform your outdoor space. A stylish addition to a beach-themed garden, this driftwood ornament will weather naturally. Stand it among a bed of white pebbles for a beautiful contrast. Available in three sizes.
Pros
- Each heart is unique
- Wall mount or freestanding
Cons
- More expensive compared to other options on our list
| Dimensions: | Medium Heart 50cm x 40cm; Large Heart 75cm x 50cm; XL Heart 95cm x 70cm |
| Material: | Driftwood |
- Handmade
Best sculptural metal sphere
www.wayfair.co.uk
Try something different with a rose ball that's made of matt brushed stainless steel. Incredibly rose balls have been a garden accessory for over 1,000 years and yet offer contemporary elegance. Bounce light around your garden as it reflects off the twisted steel. Put a trio of them together and they’ll transform a bare bed into a magical space.
Pros
- Abstract and geometric style
- Durable
Cons
- If you want the set, you'll need to buy each separately
| Dimensions: | H40 x W40 D40cm |
| Material: | Stainless steel |
| Weight: | 1kg |
- Handmade
Best garden gazing balls
Transform your patio, terrace or pond into a sensory haven with a set of gazing balls. There’s nothing like decorative spheres to soften the feel of a square garden. Nestle a weather-resistant gazing ball among a bed of lime-green euphorbia for a striking display.
Customer review: "This set of shiny balls are a brilliant buy and look lovely amongst my Buddhas. I love them. They look quality and nicely finished with no seams. I purchased a set a while ago from a home and garden store, for my 'serenity garden' and they were far more expensive."
Pros
- Highly reflective
- Available in a range of sizes
Cons
- Some customers have commented that these are smaller than expected
| Dimensions: | 15 x 15 x 15cm |
| Material: | Stainless steel |
| Weight: | 440g |
- Heavy duty stainless steel with maximum corrosion resistance
- Mirror surface reflection
Best stone effect garden statue
www.wayfair.co.uk
Up the apples and pears with this super affordable stone apple garden ornament. A matching pear is available and would make an appealing vignette by grouping a cluster of them on the edge of garden steps or among plants in flowerbeds. It has a tactile textured finish and because of its stone effect, this fruity little number is lightweight.
Customer review: "Lovely. Very pleased with purchase. Thank you."
Pros
- Looks expensive
- Lightweight
- Affordable
Cons
- It is small so be wary of the dimensions
| Dimensions: | H11cm X W12cm X D12cm |
| Material: | Stone |
| Weight: | 0.72kg |
- No natural variation as these are mass produced
Best handmade garden statue
www.etsy.com
When this intricate Sandpiper Garden Sculpture is glistening with rainwater, you’ll be amazed at the sense of movement this little statue has. Handmade from reclaimed metal, natural weathering will only add to its beauty. Choose to purchase a standing or stooping sandpiper individually or as a pair. The statue is coated in lacquer so it can be left outside all year, just be sure to use a stake to secure it.
Customer review: "Dispatched very quickly and well packaged, sculptures arrived in perfect condition. They are beautiful, bought them for around the pond but have left them on the window sill so we can view them better as we like them so much."
Pros
- Handmade
- Reclaimed and recycled metal
- Versatile poses
Cons
- May have sharp edges
- Be aware that purchasing as a pair costs more
| Dimensions: | (Standing) L20 x W14 x H24cm (Stooping) L30 x W14 x H17cm |
| Material: | Recycled metal |
- Created from recycled metal oil drums
- Handmade in the UK
Quick and easy ways to give your garden a makeover
As well as buying the best accessories to bring some fun and colour to your garden, there are some other things you can do to help refresh any tired items you already own and make them look good as new.
A lick of paint can make all the difference. If you've got some old terracotta plant pots, you can paint them with bright colours, repaint your existing furniture to make it feel brand new, or give your fences a lick of dark varnish to give the tired wood a new lease of life.
Upcycle some old pieces into something new. We love these rustic rope shelves that you can make from an old pallet, or try making your own garden wall bar using old wood from past DIY projects.
Get to work on your garden borders or patio, removing any weeds or unwanted moss. If you have a pressure washer too, a blitz of this will be so rewarding.
If you want to invite wildlife into your garden and hear those bird songs loud and clear, we'd recommend getting a bird feeder to feel that bit closer to nature.
Got a full house and plenty of kids' toys lying around in the garden to prove it? You can easily make your garden more appealing to lounge in by simply buying or building a storage unit to store it neatly away. If it's built sturdy enough, you could even paint it and put some cushion on top to make for a cute garden ottoman and extra seating.
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