Spring is now officially here and now is the time to prepare the garden for the warm seasons ahead. If you like to decorate the garden with different types of things, but find garden gnomes or other figures too kitschy, we have an alternative for you that will definitely appeal to you. The idea is actually pretty cute and can be used wonderfully to highlight a tree, a wall or another wall. Small hills or a steep slope are also well suited. It is a small door that is intended to make it appear as if there is a gnome's house behind it. The funny idea is currently a real hit and can even be made yourself. We have instructions for you on how you can make the garden decorations yourself in this article. Have fun building and decorating!
Make garden decorations yourself – materials
– an oval wooden disc
– Balsa wood strip
– Doorknob or handle
– Wood varnish in any color (here black and brown)
– Acrylic paints
– stencil knife
– Spray adhesive
– Wood glue
– repositionable adhesive
– Clear varnish
Build the gnome door
First of all, you need to cut the wooden slice into two parts. Do not choose the middle for this, but cut a little deeper. To make the door later look like it was made of boards, use balsa wood. It is an elastic and thin material that can be cut wonderfully and easily with a knife. However, you can also use a different material. That doesn't matter at all.
You can easily cut straight lines with a ruler. The ruler serves as a limit so that you don't slip. Repeat the cut a few times in a row until the wood can be separated. You can then easily cut off any unevenness such as fringes. Cutting short ones is just as easy. Paint the shape on the wood beforehand and try to stay on that line as you cut.
To get the exact shape you need, place the balsa wood on the prepared wood disc and secure it with repositionable glue. Leave a small gap between each strip. This way the door will later appear more authentic. Turn the disc over and trace a line on the balsa wood along the edge of the slide. Then carefully remove the strips again to trim them to size.
You can now paint the wooden disc black. Leave out the outer edge. Then give the paint some time to dry thoroughly. You can then glue the balsa wood strips to the board using wood glue. To make sure everything is even, you can put them on first.
If you wish, you can add such decoration. You're sure to find something suitable in the craft store. It is made of wood and can be painted with any acrylic paints. This part becomes particularly effective if you don't color it perfectly. This means the door will appear older later.
The medallion can either be glued to the balsa wood or you can also embed it into the wood. In this case, even before gluing the strips to the board, you need to prepare a hole. It is cut out again with the stencil knife or another instrument. Glue the medallion onto the board following the strips.
The balsa wood will now only be painted with a brown color. Of course you can also choose a different color. Ultimately, the important thing is that you like it. Don't forget the edge! The medallion may also get some of this color.
Ornate designs are a great choice for the “Gnome” theme. And a doorknob is perfect. However, before you screw this down, you should pre-drill a hole, otherwise you risk the bar cracking. Add a final coat of clear varnish to protect the paint and allow to dry.
The last step is to unscrew the doorknob. Determine the correct position well beforehand. Then you can finallyDecorate the garden. Find a suitable tree or a larger stone. If you're not sure about the location, just try different options until you're happy.
If you like giving DIY gifts, you can also make these garden decorations yourself to make someone happy. You are welcome to choose a different design to suit the recipient's taste or garden style.
This gnome door was designed very romantically. For this purpose, ornate keys that imitate the door hinges were used. You can make an original frame using bark, for example. This looks more natural and adapts better to the exterior of the tree.
Dollhouse door
It's particularly easy to get a decoration in the shape of a door by buying one ready-made. Check with a craft store. You're sure to quickly find a model for larger dollhouses that you can use.
Take it a step further and don't just attach a door to the tree. Additional accessories such as windows, a chimney or a mailbox can make the tree look even funnier and give it additional charm.
Decorate with plants
A pleasant garden path made of pieces of tiles or stone, a small front garden with flowers, moss or other plants is also a good idea and makes the decorated corner look even prettier.
Other accessories that you can use for design are benches, lamps or whatever else comes to mind. If you're not a fan of DIY projects or simply don't have the means to do them, you can also hire a carpenter.
Let's go back to the windows. Distribute several of these along the trunk. It gives the impression that the gnome or elf house consists of several floors. If the window panes are also colored yellow, it appears as if there is a light burning inside the tree. A great idea for expanding the project.
Of course, the gnome house looks much more real if there is a gnome in front of it. Classic garden gnomes are well suited for this. Make sure that the size ratio between both objects also matches. If you want to use a specific niche in the tree for the door, you should take the measurements.
Here you can see again how you can design the area in front of the door. A real or improvised stream is a romantic idea and can be complemented by a bridge. A garden path made of wooden discs then connects this to the door. As you can see, you can let your imagination run wild.
