4 Garden Features For A Hauntingly Beautiful Outdoor Space This Fall

As the weather starts to chill and the leaves begin to fall, the mood in the air takes on a mysterious quality. It might not be wrong to say that something ghostly inhabits the earth as the days grow shorter. You can make your outdoor space match this eerie autumnal atmosphere with a few simple additions.

These hauntingly beautiful garden features (think gothic statues, moss, and mood lighting) will evoke an air of mystery and decay that suits the fall season well. Add them to your garden design with other gothic elements, such as dark flowers and foliage. Or consider how you can further transform your yard into a hauntingly beautiful oasis with other goth garden ideas, perhaps with black paving stones or faux urns. Maybe you want to capture the feeling of a crisp autumn evening all year round. Or you want to craft the perfect setting for a fall get-together. Either way, introducing one or two of the following features is an easy way to add a special touch to your space without having to alter your entire garden theme or layout.

Despite their stationary presence, statues can provide the right amount of surprise for guests to your garden. If you choose figures with details that suggest movement, like a woman draped in flowing garments reminiscent of classical Greek art, your stone statues may feel as though they might step off their pedestal and walk toward you. You can also turn to legends and mythology for characters to inhabit your autumn garden, like dragons, faeries, and griffins. Plus, these statues will go a long way in giving your outdoor space the feel of a moldering castle without the accompanying upkeep costs.

Don't forget to take inspiration from Gothic architecture. Although some might think gargoyles and griffins are too gruesome and grim for a fall garden scene, the right statue can add to the overall mood. Gargoyles in Gothic architecture were carved as downspouts for water runoff and were meant to ward off evil. Placing stone statues of grotesque guardian creatures throughout your garden can be a fun way to mimic this practice. Many stone statues feature emotive faces, like this laughing stone garden gargoyle from Amazon for $39.87.

Designing a space that feels like you've stepped straight into the pages of your favorite Gothic romance novel can be simple with a few key items. The ageless quality of wrought iron accessories can instantly make you feel like the main character of "Jane Eyre" or "Wuthering Heights." Adding benches or sitting areas made of wrought iron allows space in your gothic garden to fully enjoy and embrace the magic and mystery of the season. Place wrought iron trellises or fencing strategically to mark the entrance to this part of your garden. Or you can create separate spaces with these fixtures around your property to add pockets of haunting beauty to your outdoor space.

The beauty of wrought iron is in its durability. You may easily keep it outside in the fall weather without worrying too much, except for regular cleaning to avoid rust buildup. When winter rolls around, however, it's a good idea to cover the fixtures or store them away until the warm weather returns once again.

Moss evokes the slow passage of time and the dreary landscapes of old forests. Growing moss in your garden space is a great way to instantly fill it with mystery and legend and make it feel older. Plus, moss survives even in difficult conditions, such as areas with compacted, poorly-drained soil. The bewitching power of moss can transform even a dull garden space into something straight out of a storybook about heroic knights and lost treasure.

It's okay if your yard does not naturally grow moss. You can create magical moss-covered decor for your garden using buttermilk or yogurt, which can add an aged quality to your stone statues. You don't need to encourage moss to grow everywhere in your fall garden, but it can be a great way to combine timeless charm with that shady part of your yard that won't grow any grass.

The final piece to your haunting garden should be proper mood lighting. After you've created visual interest with statuary, wrought iron items, and moss, you need to highlight the lovely details. Some of the best lights for an eerie autumn garden are lanterns with intricate designs. Thrifting antique or vintage lanterns can be a great way to avoid too many matching elements that give your space a staged look. Also, consider that the most ornate lantern designs look stunning during the day, too. Remember to use fake, flameless candles to reduce the fire hazard.

Envision the impact a few hanging lanterns or candles on a table will have on your outdoor space as dusk falls. As the days grow shorter, mood lighting makes it easier to continue entertaining and enjoying the night in your garden even after the sun sets. Additionally, if you have enough trees, it's easier than you may realize to decorate outdoor trees with lights to give the space an added ethereal, otherworldly quality.