The Decorating Advantage of a Garden Urn

If you are looking for inspiration to make your garden space or yard special, you probably can start with one dramatic item such as a garden urn. These urns are impressive because of their size and often ornate and Greco-Roman-themed designs, but essentially they are big plant pots. They typically become the central theme of a garden or come in pairs to gracefully frame the sides of a home’s entranceway.

Urns usually are either concrete or metal whether destined for use outdoors as a dramatic entrance marker or garden centerpiece, or indoors for a special decorating effect. Concrete will give a more natural look, especially if you want the style of a relic from antiquity. However, the concrete, although very heavy and sturdy, is not unbreakable. Metal does not crack or break but does not give the same air of the ancient urns associated with elegant, richly furnished estates in past centuries. One rule of thumb for choosing between the two is to use the concrete for outdoors and the metal for indoors. Outdoor garden urns are less likely to get bumped by people, vacuum cleaners or knocked over by pets in a more crowded area of the indoors. A metal urn will survive a high traffic area better than a concrete one. Concrete or ceramic urns are more likely to endure the outdoor climate challenges than metal. Concrete, being so massive and heavy, might look out of place indoors.

Because of their great variety of size, style and appearance garden urns lend themselves to imaginative decorating themes. Many buyers like to fill the urns with water rather than soil, and just float flowers on top or possibly floating candles. Drain the water and the urn is much more moveable. The handy home owner can use an urn near a decorative water fountain to create a garden urn fountain. Or, tip the urn over and plumb it so that water continually pours out to create a mini waterfall for a fountain.

Urns are available in many price ranges depending on the size, material and workmanship. Most urns available in home improvement or garden shops cost from $50 to $100. Ideally, an outdoor urn will be heavy enough not to tip over and break in a strong wind or if bumped by rowdy pets. If a lightweight urn is preferred due to price and style then careful placement and filling with heavy material will ensure it provides beauty to the home or garden for many years.