Welcome to our gallery of wonderful backyard sculpture ideas!
Plants, landscaping, and water features can all have great personality, providing your space with plenty of character. But nothing can bring out an extra sense of charm quite like a backyard sculpture.
Sculptures can really show off your personality. They can be statements about you as an individual as well as about your yard. Sculptures reveal your taste and sensibilities. Are you a fun loving free spirit? Are you practical and down to earth? Do you love the classics? Are you a fan of renaissance art? Or are you more into simple and impressionist design? All of these traits can be displayed through your backyard sculptures!
There are sculptures with functionality too! Some sculptures are integrated as parts of fountains, fire pits, or even lamps. You can use a sculpture as way to add a bit of extra allure, or you can get a large sculpture to center your yard around. Sculptures work very well as unique pieces that can become the focus of your backyard space.
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Pros
- Express yourself – Sculptures let you express your personality through your garden or yard.
- Great for art lovers – Gardening can be an art. If you love art and want to display art throughout your home, sculptures allow you to apply that love to the great outdoors.
Cons
- Detract from nature – Some sculptures have a natural feel. They may include natural lines or textures, but they are still a man made product. If you are looking for your plants to be the center of attention sculptures may detract away from their influence. Sculptures tend to draw the eye and become the focus of an area.
There are so many different kinds of sculptures that look great in backyards. If you are looking for a small accent sculpture you can get away with spending very little money. You can find interesting sculptures at antique stores or even yard sales, so keep your eye out for one that will work well in your space. If you are looking for something a bit larger you will likely end up spending significantly more. A large structure will likely cost a few hundred dollars. If you want something more custom made you can look for sculptors, artists, and builders. This option is likely going to cost you a great deal more as custom art can be expensive. Although there is nothing like a custom sculpture to accentuate your perfect backyard space.
Find more backyard ideas in our definitive guide to backyards!
You can use your outdoor sculptures to express a great number of things. If you have specific spiritual leanings or just appreciate the art of various cultures, you can place sculptures that reflect these interests for the world to see.
Many sculptures use natural shapes. These particular sculptures are in the shape of flamingos. The sculptures use the shapes and action lines of the flamingo to guide the observer’s gaze through the space.
Rustic Landscape by Steamboat Springs Architects & Building Designers WEST ELEVATION ARCHITECTS INC
Sculptures come in various different materials. Many are made from stone, metal, or ceramic. This sculpture is constructed from found wood. This gives this sculpture a natural and rustic texture.
Here is a statue that is reminiscent of classic sculptures. This statue can easily add a touch of class and sophistication to your fountain or garden. The beauty of the classic artists are easily available for your yard with sculptures such as this. Learn more here.
This sculpture is a large square with a circle cut through it. This is a very modern piece that has a very sleek and interesting appeal. This hardy and sturdy design can withstand the elements and remain a part of this landscape for a long time. Source: Zillow Digs™
These sculptures are two large flowers carved from wood. This takes two things typically found in a yard and combines them for an interesting piece that draws the eye and adds some character to the space.
Contemporary Landscape by South East Garden & Landscape Supplies David Harber
Here is an amazing sculpture used as a centerpiece. If you have a large or interesting piece you can place it in the center of your space and have the rest of the yard focused around that object.
Some sculptures are designed to create intrigue in the viewer. Here is a sculpture of a girl jumping rope that appears to be breaking the laws of physics. The girl is hovering in the air, drawing attention and inspiring intrigue. Learn more here.
Sculptures made from stones and rock are a good way to own something that is both manmade and intentional, as well as natural. Having both of these qualities can be an amazing way to bridge the gap between natural features and more constructed ones. Source: Zillow Digs™
Sculptures can also use colors in interesting ways. You can use color in a sculpture to build an interesting palette as well as draw attention. These kinds of colors can also be found in natural materials.
Mediterranean Landscape by Los Angeles Landscape Contractors Gates & Croft Horticultural Design
Sculptures can be used to continue and accentuate theme as well. These metal horses continue the Western theme that the rest of the yard has. It is a great way to continue the motif.
Animals are a classic subject for sculptors. But some sculptors prefer creatures of a more fanciful variety. Fantasy creatures and mythological beasts always make for interesting and lovely sculptures. Learn more here
Classic statues out of stone gather a lovely patina over time. This patina can give your space an aged and historied feel. With a well aged stone sculpture, a space can harken back to times of old with class and elegance. Source: Zillow Digs™
Here is a large interesting piece. This is a dragon made from uncommon materials. This is a piece that is sure to start conversations and draw a great deal of attention.
Contemporary Landscape by San Francisco Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group
This sculpture looks like a very large pot tipped on its side and partially buried. This design is reminiscent of other known objects while challenging perspective and size. This sculpture will work to pull people through this space.
Some sculptures are just fun. Here is a large sculpture that looks like a dinosaur. This kind of feature can be amazing for kids. It livens up children’s areas making them more inviting. Learn more here
Sculptures of people are a very popular option for many. Placing a few sculptures of people around an area can make the space feel more full. These sculptures of children sitting by this pond make the space appear occupied and lively. Source: Zillow Digs™
This sculpture was designed to be part of a water feature and to emulate a natural occurrence as much as possible. Not all sculptures are designed to stand out, some, such as this one, are designed to blend in and look natural.
Mediterranean Landscape by San Francisco Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Kikuchi + Kankel Design Group
There are some sculptures that are less representative and more just a visually appealing design. This sculpture is made from stones and metal beams that create an interesting shape.
There are so many fun and silly backyard sculptures that you can adorn your yard with. While some people would rather have a classic Grecian statue in their fountain, you may prefer to have a sasquatch peeking out from behind a tree. Learn more here.
Here is a horse made from sticks and rocks. This is an interesting sculpture that is sure to lend interest to this yard. It is a feature that cannot be missed. Source: Zillow Digs™
Perhaps you would like your yard to look exotic or like a fantastic mythical land. There are sculpture options that can make your yard appear as if you are growing mystic plants from another plane of existence.
Contemporary Landscape by Charlotte Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Jay Sifford Garden Design
Some sculptures are incredibly simple. Here there are three large metal spheres. These shapes are visually interesting and simple so that they can work in almost any space.
You can even show your love for your favorite stories with the sculptures in your yard. If you have a deep passion for The Wizard of Oz you can express that love with this adorable Tin Man sculpture. Learn more here
One way to make sure that your sculpture gets the attention it deserves at night is to light it up. Placing spot lights on your sculptures will highlight their importance in your yard’s design. Source: Zillow Digs™
Here is another classic style statue in stone. This stone is stark white, which has a bright appeal that works very well with flowers. This is the ideal kind of sculpture to set in the garden.
Eclectic Landscape by Bainbridge Island Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Aaron G. Edwards Landscape Architect
The juxtaposition of nature and manmade structures can make a great composition for a sculpture. Here is a large stone with a manmade component in the center.
If you prefer a fairy tale aesthetic in your yard you can get a sculpture like this one. These cute little piggies are playing hide and go seek. This is a playful piece that can bring joy and levity to your garden. Learn more here.
Sculptures can also have function. This amazing piece also doubles as a light and heat source. This globe on fire has a huge visual appeal with an unmistakable cool factor.Source: Zillow Digs™
Here we see more mythical creatures in action. This unicorn statue is a great piece to line along a path or to center in a garden area. This piece has a classy and elegant look that brings whimsy and fantasy to your upscale yard.
Eclectic Landscape by Charlotte Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Jay Sifford Garden Design
Some sculptures bring style and color to a garden. The blue metal flower has an industrial look that blends the shape and color of nature with very manmade materials.
Many people like garden gnomes. Share your thoughts with this sculpture of a dinosaur terrorizing a flock of gnomes. This fun twist on the garden gnome is sure to garner attention. Learn more here
Here is an amazing sculpture of a couple of children playing on a tree. This sculpture looks amazing in the middle of this concrete pond. Sculptures can elicit a wide array of emotions from the viewer. You can create fun, invoke a sense of a class, or even whip up nostalgia for the summer days of youth. Source: Zillow Digs™
Traditional Patio by Wilmington Interior Designers & Decorators Bruce Palmer Interior Design