When choosing the best outdoor statues for your garden, one factor is, understandably enough, the price. Here, we’ll offer insights into what affects the price of garden statues so you can make the right decision for yours.
Size
All other things being equal, the larger a statue, the more it costs. The smaller it is, the less it costs. Bigger ones require more material and more labor. The key phrase, though, is “all other things being equal.” A large statue made out of inexpensive material through a mass production process, for example, may cost the same as—or perhaps even less than—a smaller statue made out of quality materials by an artisan.
Material
Garden statues are crafted from a wide variety of materials with a range of price points. Plastic and resin statues, for example, are generally a less pricey option. That said, they may not do well outside in climates that are moderate year-round. In cold winters or hot summers, plastic and resin outdoor statues can fade and warp, even crack. If you’d like to use plastic but don’t want this kind of damage, choose thick plastic that’s designed for more extreme temperatures; thick durable plastic will cost more than lightweight options.
Wood statues can provide a wonderful ambiance to a garden, and they’re typically light and pretty easy to move from one place to another. They aren’t necessarily durable, though. So, although the price point may be attractive, you’ll likely need to also invest time and money into preserving the wood and putting statues on a pedestal or replacing the outdoor statues as needed. They can crack, even rot, in hot temperatures. Colors will fade and the wood is vulnerable to insect and fungi damage.
Garden statues can be ceramic or glass, and they can be quite beautiful. They need to be in more protected spots in your outdoor area, though, because they can be fragile. Plus, these aren’t year-round decorations. Be sure to bring them indoors before the weather gets too cold.
When it comes to metal statues, the price can depend upon what kind—aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, lead, or stainless steel—as well as their size. Because metal is so durable, the material can be worked into lifesize forms with the larger metal statues (all other things being equal, remember) costing more.
Concrete statues can be reasonably priced with a wide variety of designs. They do best in sunnier spots to prevent mold. When the weather is cycling between freezing and thawing, they may crack.
Finally, there are stone statues: natural stone and cast stone. Natural stone statues can be marble, limestone, granite, sandstone, and so forth, coming in a range of price points. Cast stone is finely ground, refined concrete.
Method of Creation
Wooden statues are carved, a time-intensive process that requires specific expertise. Glass statues can be blown or cast in kilns, again a laborious process, while marble ones can be chiseled. Many other kinds of materials for outdoor statues are placed in molds while they’re still liquid enough to cool in the shape of that container. Understanding how garden statues are made can help you understand where they fall on the price spectrum.
Rarity
No matter how a statue is formed, costs will come down when they’re mass-produced. On the other end of the scale, one-of-a-kind statues will naturally cost more because of their uniqueness—with other scales of production and corresponding prices falling in between.
Artist
Related to rarity, if a particular statute is created by an artist with a known reputation, you’ll pay more for that connection. Perhaps you’ll go on a trip and see a special statue that’s created by a known artist from that area. If so, this likely falls into the one-of-a-kind type of production process, and is priced accordingly.
Decorating with Outdoor Statues
As you begin to decorate with garden statues, you’ll likely have a budget in mind. If so, here are a few things to consider. First, a larger statue may cost more but it may add enough of an impact to the space that you won’t need as many of them to enhance your space. Or, if you like the idea of having visitors be surprised and delighted when they find smaller statues peeking out from flower beds, greenery, or tall grasses, you could keep adding them until the look you’re desiring is complete.
If you like the idea of having a bigger focal point, it typically makes sense to pick that statue, early on, and then select smaller ones to complement the look. Some people like to plant flowers, herbs, and so forth first; others notice a particular statue and then get the plants that will add to its appeal. There are plenty of approaches to take, and our expert team looks forward to helping you find exactly the right outdoor statues for your tastes.
Garden Statues at Decker’s Nursery
We offer a wide range of eye-catching garden statues that highlight your outdoor spaces in new and exciting ways. Our statues and accents range from classical to whimsical pieces, and from nature-based sculptures to those rooted in time-tested mythologies and more. Decker’s Nursery also provides seasonal pieces if you like to change up your look with the seasons.
The outdoor statues that we offer at our retail nursery and garden center are crafted from materials such as concrete, terra cotta, and cast stone, designed to withstand harsh weather conditions. To extend their beauty and lifespan, keep them clean and winterize them if needed.
To make it easy for you to enjoy your statuary, our expert team provides delivery services and we can set up and install the outdoor statues that we sell. So, if you’re considering a large piece and aren’t sure how to handle the installation, just let us know.
To find your ideal pieces, stop by our garden center during open hours, contact us online, or call us at (631) 261-1148.