I’ve spent a lot of time creating a relaxing patio and garden oasis behind my house. We entertain often and people never fail to compliment me and exclaim how much they wish they had a similar set up at their home. I dedicate hours working in this area and it’s my pride and joy. One day, when walking by the front of my house, I noticed something. It’s barren. I spent so much time decorating the private section of our yard and totally neglected the front. My porch had nothing on it but a welcome mat. And my front garden? Half of it looks lush and the other half…not so much, I knew it was time for an update. I also knew it had to be something simple- no fancy flower arrangements- because I have the unfortunate tendency to forget to water anything in the front of the house. There’s nothing more welcoming than a pot of dead flowers, am I right?
Then a lightbulb went off. Why not create a fun seasonal display? While I was browsing through the craft and hobby supplies section of Oriental Trading I came across an adorable Fairy Garden set. Reminded of one of my favorite plays, I decided to create a Midsummer Night’s Dream display.
How To Make A Fairy Garden Lantern Display
I am a person who gets the basics of an idea and then adds onto the display until I find an arrangement I like. When I decided to create the Fairy Garden on the barren end of my flower bed beside my front porch, I had two goals in mind. I wanted a cute arrangement that would draw attention away for the scarcity of flowers. I also wanted to cover up a vent in front of the house.
I started with a miniature DIY wooden crate, two different sized metal lanterns, the fairy garden set, a small metal galvanized bucket and some dried moss. When I noticed they didn’t stand out like I wanted them too, I turned to my secret weapon; paint. I spray painted the crate a neutral tan then gave it a light coating of lilac. I wanted a contrasting color for the bucket so I used a light coating of mint green. Tip: Be sure to use spray paint that stands up to the elements!
To create the Fairy Garden Lanterns, I spray painted the miniature chairs lilac for an extra pop. I placed about two tablespoons of moss in the bottom of each lantern. I added a miniature chair and stepping stones on top of the moss in each lantern and replaced the top. I wrapped mini purple LED lights around the top slats of the mini crate and around the lanterns to give it a sparkle of pixie dust.
I arranged the smaller lantern on top of the crate and placed a fairy bridge beside the lantern. I turned a small urn planter upside down and used it as a base to hold the second lantern. *Tip: Plastic urns are easy to paint different colors to match your decor. Because I am forever trying to repurpose items, I placed a leftover piece of tile in the urn to create a stand for the large lantern.
To give added dimensions to the display, I created different levels. The small urn was my highest piece, then the wooden crate. For the ground level decor, I used a cute little mini bird feeder I had on hand and used the small pail to create a gazebo display. I filled the pail with potting soil and added a few succulents. These will continue to live if when I forget to water them. I topped the succulents with moss and added the gazebo and gate set from the fairy garden to the top of the pail. I arranged twinkling purple LED lights around the gazebo to add an illusion of twinkling fairy wings.
I still needed to cover the vent. I decided the easiest solution was to create a “picket fence” backdrop. I painted a small leftover piece of a pallet I found in our barn white and handed it over to Bryan to cut “pickets”. For some reason, no one wants to trust me with the saw. Then I positioned it behind the display.
I think my Fairy Garden adds a cute touch to my flower bed. It makes the bed so much more appealing to the eye. Plus, it didn’t take very long to make. Thinking about making your own Fairy Garden? You can find all sort of cute outdoor ideas at Oriental Trading.
What are your favorite outdoor decorating tips?
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I tried making one. I got really great stuff and was satisfied with my work. But of course, the neighbor’s cat destroyed everything and pooped on my pretty fairy garden (or whatever was left of it). I will look for plants that would thrive indoors and maybe try my hand at making another one, but this time, in the safety of my home.
Oh! What a cute fairy garden. Nice photos too. I’d love to build up that kind of garden but am afraid our 6 dogs and 4 cats will play over it lol.
I love how easy this one is to setup! Fairy gardens are just so beautiful and my youngest loves ours so much! It’s so fun to make it with her too!
We have the perfect space by our front door door for this. I’m going to run it by the kids. I bet they would love to create a space like this.
What an adorable little garden! My favorite part is the white picket fence – it pulls it all together.
What adorable little ides to brighten up the garden! I have no doubt the kids would enjoy this.
I bet my nieces would love creating a Fairy Garden! This is a great idea for a small space like that. Thanks for sharing.
I think fairy gardens are so cool!! I would love to start my nieces little fairy gardens to keep at my house.
That is very cute! The fairy garden I originally wnat to create became my children’s project and it turned out to be a bakcyardigan animaland lol. It was fun though.
You have a very creative mind! This is so nice. I hope I can do this too in my home. Thanks for the idea!
There’s a fairy garden in a community garden we visit. It’s so serene and inviting.
I love this. I have been thinking of making a fairy garden for a couple of years now. Fun stuff.
My front porch could use some more color. I love your fairy garden! My MIL has one in her front yard.
This looks awesome. We also try to decorate our front yard and this is a neat idea.
What an adorable fairy garden. Very cute idea
This fairy garden is absolutely adorable. I won’t lie, my girls Fairy Garden is huge. It kind of go out of control. Oops.
That is adorable. I especially love the little camper. I don’t have young children to do this with, but I think I’d just do it for myself.
Adorable! I always felt like I didn’t have enough room to have a garden – but this I totally can do! My kiddos would love a special fairy garden too. Thanks for the inspiration!
The white picket fence was such a nice idea. Great use of a pallet. This is a really creative way to add personality to a garden!
Oh, I love all of the things in your fairy garden! I would love to make one for my yard if I could be sure the animals wouldn’t run off with them!
I am in love with faerie gardens! I have the perfect little space in my backyard that I’ve been thinking of adding one too. These tips will really help!
These are so cute, I know. I’d love to work on one with my gradndaughter.
well I can spell too, lol. 🙂 ‘granddaughter!’ 🙂 Have an awesome day!
Lol! I know the feeling. I’ve spelled things wrong in comments before. 🙂
Oh now that is just such a cute fairy garden, I really want to try and make my own in our garden so I will give this a try.
Such a sweet idea and perfect for those working with limited yard space! I especially love that adorable little gazebo planter.
I’ve never heard of fairy gardens and this is so cute. I love anything tiny and that Airstream is adorable!
OMG, I love this so much! That tiny little Airstream trailer is the best. SO CUTE!
My mom’s friend has the cutest little fairy garden in her kitchen. I love how everything is so miniture – it’s cute!
I love fairy gardens. We are going to make these with children at our next garden club meeting. Thanks for sharing.
This is so cute! I have not decorated our yard for the simple fact that our dog likes to destroy everything we decorate, but a friend of mine has a little girl that would love to do something like this in their backyard.
That is super cute, my niece would love it. We don’t decorate that much outdoors, except for lights and an inflatable or two around the holidays.
Fairy gardens are so cute. My two young nieces just built one with their parents and keep watching to see if a real fairy is going to show up LOL.