Many households treat their garden — no matter how big or small — as a sanctuary. They put a chair and other furniture, so they can just sit back and read their book or sip a cup of Joe. For it to be a relaxing place to be in, however, you need to make sure that it promotes calmness and peacefulness.
A garden’s design can transform into a new kind of beautiful when you use the principle of emphasis, or commonly known as a focal point. A centerpiece for your outdoor space can give that wow factor and at the same time, draw people’s eyes away from unsightly elements.
Want to know how you can beautify your garden with a centerpiece? Here’s how to apply this design principle in your outdoor area:
Choose an object or a plant for a focal point
For a plant focal point, you want to choose something that would stand out from the greenery. You can achieve that by, let’s say, choosing a color different from the primary hue of your existing plants. The red leaves of a Japanese maple tree may work well at the backdrop of green foliage.
If you’re going for an object focal point, though, select something that mixes well into the garden design through its color or texture. For instance, if you’re going for a neutral color scheme, an antique statue can blend well. If you want to fill the space with rustic elements, then go for a pergola.
Of course, there’s always the option of combining plants and objects. For instance, as Authentic Provence suggests, a group of perennials adorned in outdoor copper planters may just be the right piece for your garden.
Follow natural sight lines
The next consideration for focal points is where exactly to place them. The principle here is that the eyes follow lines. Look at where the pathways go, as those are the ideal places to situate a focal point.
The entryway to your patio door directs views, so you must have a striking element placed there. You can either paint the door with an eye-catching color or place two big flower pots on each side. The end of the pavement also guides the eyes, so that could be an ideal place for a pergola or a water fountain. Whatever you do, follow sight lines.
Consider seasonal focal points
If you want a different sight from time to time, you may want to have seasonal plants as focal points. Of course, this requires much maintenance and planning every now and then, but in the name of aesthetic appeal, go for it.
You can take cues from the dominant colors of different seasons. Greens and yellows are for spring, reds and oranges for summer, browns for fall, while black and white for winter. Mostly, you’ll rely on material elements, more than plants for the latter.
Focal points in gardens have the potential to make your space more of a visual feast. Remember these things as you revamp your outdoor area.
