How to style outdoor spaces with art

Firstly, consider your space, where you want to put your art and what weather conditions it may be exposed to. If you’re hoping to place a sculpture in a fully exposed setting, look for mediums that are weather hardy so you can be sure they will stand the test of time. Mediums such as marble, copper, bronze, cement, carved sandstone and even fibreglass are great options to consider if you’re looking for an artistic option that’s likely to experience all the weather elements.

Bronze and copper sculptures are perfect for outdoor enjoyment too. They are sturdy, weatherproof at any age, and their wear patinas (how the colours and appearance of the material ages) generally enhance the work. A perfect example is the colossal Statue of Liberty in New York City. This most famous sculpture was structured with copper materials and wears the most beautiful iconic patina proudly.

If rain isn’t a big issue but heat is, instead consider metal sculptures for your space that won’t crack with the heat.

For apartment dwellings, a contemporary miniature bronze or weatherproof resin can add character and style. Select something interesting with detail in these smaller spaces so they work to add atmosphere and become excellent talking pieces while entertaining, too.

Check out these 14 smart small yard landscaping ideas.

Once you’ve decided on a medium and material, next is to think about the ideal size and then go bigger! As plants and the artworks surrounds change – whether because of season or fauna growth, the sculpture won’t, so it’s important to think of the scale once the garden is more established.

Follow these 10 secrets to create a lovely yard according to landscape architects.

In terms of style, have fun selecting something for your outdoor space. Like art inside the home, a feature piece of art in your outdoor area can really shape the overall finished style of your space. Set the mood with an elegant marble figure at the entranceway or be welcomed into the space with a contemporary pop sculpture rendered in bold and shiny painted fibreglass. Either way it should reflect your personal style and make your outdoor space a place to love and enjoy spending time in.

Here are five unique ways to display art in your home.

The Australian landscape and climate is unique and I recommend spending time seeking inspiration from those who have mastered art within similar environments. This way you can make your own decisions feeling confident based on their success. When thinking about art in the Australian outdoors certain styles and artists come to mind. Norman Lindsay created sculptures using a variety of mediums for his property at Faulconbridge in NSW. This location is positioned at the foothills of the Blue Mountains and experiences the hot summer bushfire seasons through to winter snow. It has been turned into a museum by the National Trust of Australia and you can visit the property to explore the gardens yourself, complete with more than a dozen sculptural works dating from 1913 through to the 60s. Each work was crafted by hand using cement, metal and other household items. One even features a shower head used as the waterspout! Overall they are great examples of sturdy handcrafted materials created by an artist that was truly in tune with the Australian environment.

The style of these sturdy sculptures are influenced by Greek mythology and include various nymphs, sphinx and creatures. If you like figurative sculpture but are looking for a source of inspiration to divert the mind from romanticised nudes these neoclassical sculptures should hit the mark.

Sign up here to have Handyman’s favourite stories straight to your inbox.