Yard Decor Crafts

Garden Crafts

• Brighten your gardening space or protect it from squirrels, rabbits and other small animals by refurbishing materials you already have at home. Paint some flower pots to add extra color or craft a homemade scarecrow to keep critters away from your freshly planted bulbs. Claudia Brownlie of The Artistic Garden website also suggests putting a mirror in the garden, which gives it the appearance of being a larger, more lush space.

Recycled Treasures

• Transform your household trash into something quirky and beautiful to spruce up the yard. Sturdy materials such as plastic jugs and aluminum cans will fare best in the elements, and craft websites such as Robojunker.com offer a plethora of crafty ways to turn junk into art. Recycling projects are also a great way to get kids' creative juices flowing and teach them about the environment.

For the Birds

• No yard is truly complete without a home for the birds that flock there, or at least a feeder where they can stop on their flights around the neighborhood. No need to stick with conventional feeders, though. Use a range of materials and styles to make a feeder that is efficient and stylish and that reflects the kind of atmosphere you want for your backyard.

Garden Rocks

• Decorative garden rocks present a tasteful and durable way of personalizing any garden. While you can pick up ready-made painted and engraved rocks at most landscaping or arts and crafts stores, creating your own is simple and can be done in less than half an hour. Grab some paint, head to the backyard and decorate smooth stones with family names, favorite quotes or scenes from a beloved vacation spot. These stones will brighten up your yard and inspire good thoughts.