As the warmer weather finally arrives, we’ll all be hoping to spend more time outdoors.
If your garden or balcony is looking a bit drab, you can give a pop of colour with the addition of a cheeky gnome or a vibrant ornament.
The much-aligned garden gnome is having a moment again for 2022, and they’re not all male gnomes with a penchant for fishing. In today’s world there’s something for every interest. Whether you’re a football fan, dreaming of tropical beaches or wanting to go big and bold, you’re sure to find something for you.
If gnomes still don’t do it for you, there are plenty of stylish options available for garden decorations and ornaments. From upcycled metal to stunning dragonfly stakes, you can bring style to the outdoors. Why should the living room get all the attention?
You can enjoy an Aperol Spritz in the garden and admire your new additions without breaking the bank. No need to replace the patio or the lawn, these gorgeous decorations will give even the smallest garden or courtyard a new lease of life.
If you’re concerned about the environment, you can steer clear of resin and plastic with handmade creations using upcycled or recycled metals that will ensure nobody else on your street has the same designs as you.
If you don’t fancy traipsing around the garden centre, we’ve done the hard work for you and found some of the most unique, stylish, and just downright fun ornaments you can buy.
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George Home Gnora with a Puppy Gnome
As well as bargain groceries, Asda is home to a range of joyously zany gnomes, dubbed Gnorman and Gnorma. They range from your standard sized garden gnomes, up to giant models if you want to make a serous statement.
They offer themed designs, with past designs for Valentines, Christmas and the Jubilee. For June you can get your hands on a Pride gnome, as well as some other adorable summery designs. There’s Gnorma with her new puppy, a fishing grandad, a weight-lifting Gnorman getting beach ready, as well as a holiday gnome in a rubber ring enjoying a cocktail. Whatever your style, there’s something to suit your garden.
Buy now £6.00, Asda
Wilko Toadstool Gnome Plus Solar
Gnomes can also have a practical use as well as being a style item. Wilko is home to a solar powered gnome, which will look cute in the day but will also brighten up your garden as the sun sets. It’ll make a perfect talking point for any evening BBQ.
When it first arrives, it will need to charge in full sunlight for three days to allow the battery to reach full capacity, but after then it needs to be in a sunny location and will switch on automatically when the sensor detects the light is fading.
As well as the toadstool edition, Wilko also features a solar gnome holding a rainbow umbrella. There are also non-light up gnomes of varying sizes, including giant ones to make a statement.
Buy now £21.00, Wilko
England Keep Off The Pitch Gnome
If you’re a football fan, FOCO’s range of gnomes will take pride of place on any turf at home. If there’s a team rivalry in your home, there are gnomes for just about every team you can think of.
If you want the neighbours to stay off your grass, you’ll enjoy the ‘keep off the pitch’ gnome, with his foot on the ball and hands on hips looking determined to put off any trespassers.
There are also gnomes firing up the BBQ, and even one relaxing in a dressing gown. If you want to be really fancy, they have gnome stone effect planters complete with your team’s crest. Choose your flowers or plants to provide an unusual hairstyle for your gnome, and support your team at the same time.
Buy now £20.00, FOCO
Starburst Allium Garden Sculpture Art
If the thought of a gnome brings you out in hives worse than any pollen allergy, you’ll love these stylish ornaments from Etsy. This Starburst Allium garden sculpture art will add a touch of class to any garden. Genuinely beautiful, you can mix your floral designs with their metallic equivalents.
You will receive the piece in their traditional steel form, or just starting to rust. The idea is that over time they will develop a gorgeous rust patina, making each piece different. If you prefer to receive a fully rusted piece, they can also so this for you, and all of the pieces are handmade and not mass produced. The allium will inject some art into any flowerbed, and they’re lower maintenance than most plants too and will look good all year round.
Buy now £36.00, Etsy
Rusty fern leaf
Flowers and gnomes aren’t everyone’s thing. If you prefer to keep things more minimalist, then you’ll love these stylish fern ornaments.
Available in a set of three, these ferns are designed to blend in and add a subtle design to your flowerbeds. They come in different sizes, from the subtle to the statement with optional fronds too. Many reviewers have left rave comments about them after first seeing the designs at the Chelsea Flower Show, and like the Allium they come part rusted and will develop a unique pattern over time. The seller has received more than 1,500 five star reviews, and is one of the most popular shops on Etsy, but the fact each item is handmade and will age differently means each is unique.
Buy now £54.00, Etsy
Etsy Dragonfly Plant Support
As well as looking pretty, this Dragonfly design also has a practical use too, as it also functions as a plant support. Any new summer blooms can be propped up with this metal stake.
Handmade and designed by the seller, these steel dragonflies can be placed at different angles and poses. Several buyers recommend buying several and positioning them around ponds, as they look like they’re flying. Give your garden a stylish twist, and help your new flowers to bloom with these stunning stakes.
Buy now £24.00, Etsy
Not on the High Street’s Red Rose Recycled Metal Sculpture
Many garden ornaments or gnomes are made from plastic, but if you want to be more mindful of the environment there are lots of beautiful options made from upcycled or recycled metal.
Not On The High Street has this striking red rose recycled metal sculpture to add colour to your garden, without harming the environment. The rose is shaped and made from recycled metal, for example from car bodies. Each rose is different, and they aren’t painted red, with the colour coming from the original metal. As it’s recycled scrapes and nicks are to be expected, but they add personality to the piece.
Buy now £20.00, Not on the High Street
Blue Whale Mankini peace gnome
If you want to add some humour to your garden, there are plenty of cheeky gnomes to choose from. Who doesn’t love a gnome in a mankini and sunglasses?
There are some 18+ options around if you don’t have kids and aren’t easily offended, but they’re probably best for the privacy of your back garden rather than having pride of place on the front doorstep.
Measuring 15cm high and made of resin, this is a cheerful gnome that will make you smile whenever you see it.
Buy now £8.61, Amazon
BigMouth Inc. Selfie Sisters Gnome
In 2022, of course there had to be a pair of selfie gnomes. Girls just wanna have fun with this cute and quirky design, featuring two gnome BFFs posing for a picture. With perfect Insta pouts, the ornament is finished off with a sign saying “let me take a selfie!”. Weatherproof and durable, these gnomes will be the star of the show for drinks in the gardens with friends. There’ll never be a dull moment or lull in conversation with these around. Buyers praise it for being heavyweight, durable and good quality.
Buy now £29.00, Amazon
Starburst Path Lights
Keep the BBQ and drinks going for longer after sunset with these beautiful starburst path lights. You don’t need to worry about people not finding their way with these stunning lights illuminating the way. There’s no need an outdoor power supply either, as these lights are solar powered. A cool white colour will match any décor theme you choose, and the set of three lights are connected by a lead. Buy more than one set to make a statement path. Bonus points go to brightness and the attractive glow.
Buy now £29.50, Marks & Spencer
