Add Style To The Breezeway With Garden Decor

A breezeway is a functional and convenient passageway that usually connects the garage with the house; it serves as protection from the elements and is a space that can be easily decorated in a way that blurs the line between the outdoors and indoors.

Breezeways can be small, but they can still pack a decorative punch. If you enjoy flowers and gardening, you can use your breezeway to extend the gardening season while making the breezeway more attractive and usable at the same time.

Blurring the Boundary
Most breezeways offer views of the outdoors either through a bank of windows or sliding door walls. Use these windows to bring flowers and foliage to your breezeway that will make the space more beautiful and inviting. Select plants that are appropriate for the amount of light that your breezeway receives; southern and western exposures are considered full sun; an eastern exposure receives morning sun and a northern window will be primarily shaded.

You can use houseplants or flowering annuals and perennials in pots, plant stands, flower boxes or as hanging plants above windows. If you live in a four-season climate and your breezeway does not get colder than 40 degrees Fahrenheit in winter, you can use it to over-winter potted plants, such as hibiscus, which are not be hardy in your winter climate. A space heater may be used to keep temperatures warmer in the breezeway.

Adding plants is just the first step that will bring the outdoors into your breezeway. You will also want to bring in garden decor to make the transition complete.

1. Paint your walls in a soothing shade of sage green to complement the flowers and foliage. The windowless wall adjoining the house can be covered with a floral or garden theme wall paper or simply accented with garden theme wall art.

2. Painted beaded board or wainscoting is another great cottage garden accent. Panel all the walls with beaded board or just select one or two walls and paint them in a creamy shade of off-white, pale yellow or Aspen green. Add a few wall shelves above windows or throughout the room to showcase a collection of watering cans or florist buckets.

3. Bring in garden accents that do double duty: An old hutch can hold plants, display favorite flower pots, topiary, garden tools and statuary on its open shelves. If it has closed doors, use those areas to hold everyday supplies from pet food, to paper goods, laundry supplies or canned goods.

4. Make your breezeway look bigger and brighter by hanging wall mirror across from or between existing windows. Choose simple white frames to contrast with colored walls, or choose wrought iron or colored frames to provide an accent against pale walls.

5. Bring in a wrought iron bench to add garden style and a convenient place to sit when changing shoes. Or choose a bench with a hinged lid and cushioned top so that gloves, hats, and other gear can be neatly stored below. A pair of tall rubber garden boots, wall hooks with a yellow rain slicker and other outwear add personal style. Shop antique stores and garage sales for an old hall tree with mirror that can provide seating and charming wall hook access all in one.

6. When the garden season ends, clean up and bring in your favorite statues, birdbaths and fountains from the garden so that you can enjoy that lush feeling of summer all year round.