Garden Wall Art

How garden wall art differs from art for indoors

Indoors, art is usually seen from a sofa or across a room, against plain paint. In the garden, a piece is seen from further away, against planting that changes through the year, and it stays out in rain, frost and sun. That is one reason metal is such a popular material outdoors, where a print or painting would soon suffer. A clear, bold shape matters more outside, too, as it has to hold its own from the end of a lawn. And in winter, when the borders die back, a piece on the fence still gives you something to look at.

Where to hang outdoor wall art

Start with the view you see day to day, often the fence or wall facing the kitchen window or back door. The wall behind a bench or garden table is another good spot, giving the area the feel of an outdoor room on long summer evenings. Shed and garden room walls, gates and the space either side of a door can take a piece too, while a porch or veranda gives it some shelter from the weather. Before you fix anything, look at what will grow around it: a climber that looks bare in March can hide a piece by July.

Getting the scale right on a fence or wall

Measure the space before you choose: a piece that looks generous on the kitchen table can look small once it is up on a fence. As a rough guide, aim to fill around half to two thirds of the width you are dressing, whether that is one fence panel or the wall over a bench, and leave clear space around it. To check, ask someone to hold a sheet of brown paper of the same size in place while you look from where you usually sit. On a long run of fence, a group of smaller pieces spaced evenly often works better than one on its own.

Why black metal suits a garden

Black sits quietly against greenery and colourful planting without competing with it, and it echoes the black gates, railings and outdoor furniture found in so many gardens. Against pale render or warm brick, our black designs give a crisp outline. You will also find a few in white, which stand out against a dark-stained fence or a shady wall, and some with a gloss finish that catches the light. The range also includes a few bird designs, a natural choice near a feeder, and some pieces from Country Living.

Hanging a piece on a fence, shed or brick wall

Choose fixings that suit the surface. On a fence or shed, use exterior wood screws and fix into a post or rail rather than a thin board, which can split or work loose. On brick or render, drill and plug the wall, using rust-resistant exterior screws so you avoid rust streaks running down it. In the wind, a piece hung from a single point can swing and knock, so use more than one fixing where the piece allows. A small rubber pad behind it helps stop rattling, and the gap it leaves lets rain run off and air move.

Looking after metal pieces outdoors

Keeping wall art outside looking good starts with an occasional clean. Brush off cobwebs, wipe it over with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, then rinse and dry it well. Skip wire brushes and scouring pads, which can scratch the finish. If the finish on a metal piece ever chips, a dab of exterior metal paint in a matching colour protects the metal beneath. Some people love the way metal weathers over time; if you would rather keep a piece crisp, give it a sheltered wall or store it somewhere dry through the wettest months, and check the fixings in spring and after a storm.