Sizzling Garden Decor

The calendar says August, but weeks of good weather and lots of summertime barbecues are still ahead of us, so it's time to add some sizzle to outdoor décor. With yard sale season in full swing, it's fun to think outside the box and to look at those yard sale bargains with a different perspective.

Found an old tin milk jug for $1? Repurpose it as garden décor. Got a crack in the birdbath? Turn it into a garden mosaic. Reinventing and repurposing is a fun and economical approach to adding pizzazz to the garden.

This birdbath may not hold water, but it is still a beautiful addition to the yard. Sea glass and glass gems are a fun and easy way to make a sparkling mosaic for the garden. And, three ceramic balls make the birdbath an eye-catching centerpiece for a rocky area.

A non-working fountain takes on new life when used as a planter; and those broken flowerpots won't go to waste when half-buried in the soil and planted with hens and chicks or other plants that don't require a lot of soil.

A wire "whatever" found at a yard sale for $2, becomes a fabulous planter when lined with moss and filled with dirt. Enamel buckets, old washtubs, spatter-ware bowls, and other funky finds can also be used as clever plant containers.

Have a garage right next to the patio? Why not put a planter box under the window and continue the great disguise by hanging a flower-printed fabric panel inside the window. The fabric shown here is actually a sarong from an import store, put to good use to hide garage paraphernalia.

Fabric is important in garden décor to add texture, softness, and color to outdoor living areas. Fabric made specifically for outdoor use is readily available in many fabric stores. These orange floral pillows were made from a remnant and add bold color, comfort, and design to a rocker on a covered porch.

For those late summer evenings, light is important on the patio and in the yard. Candle lanterns add charming ambience to patio tables, and solar lights will help brighten the yard. For fun atmosphere both day and night, try these garden lights made from glass blocks and powered by Christmas lights. Enjoy every minute of the remaining days of summer!

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