Small architectural forms

What are small architectural forms (SAF)

This is the name for structures used to decorate the territory of a garden plot or cottage. In addition to their decorative function, they also have practical significance. Such objects help to conveniently organize planting in areas of different sizes and create a relaxation area. They are not fundamental structures. Many types can be made with your own hands from wood, metal, or using old objects.

Purpose of the MAF

Small architectural forms are used for several purposes:

• decorative (territory decoration) - openwork gazebos, alpine slides, statues, light bridges, sculptures, fountains;

• functional (have a practical purpose) - flowerpots, flower beds, pergolas, vertical flower beds and other structures for plants, stairs, garden furniture, swimming pools, gazebos, fences of various types;

• entertaining - architectural forms for sports and gaming purposes, for example, sandboxes, slides, swings, horizontal bars and others.
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Many types of MAF are universal. They simultaneously transform the site and have practical value. These include gazebos, lanterns, swimming pools, garden benches, and flowerpots.

Elements of small architectural forms

Among such structures are:

• decorative - sculptures, fountains, artificial ponds, rockeries, vases;
• utilitarian - benches, benches, signs, fences, warning signs.

Elements of any type are durable, strong, and are selected in strict accordance with the requirements for the design of the site.

Among MAFs for utilitarian purposes there are:

• organizing the landscape - stairs, slopes, ramps;
• fencing - walls, parapets;
• trade tents and utility-type structures - kiosks, stalls, pavilions, equipment for children's playgrounds;
• platforms for plants - flower stands, trellises;
• artificial reservoirs - ponds, fountains, cascades;
• elements for recreation - items of garden furniture, equipment for playgrounds.

When installing MAFs, it is necessary to take into account the specifics of their use and external factors:

• load on the supports of the lanterns of parts of the structure,
• depth of laying the fence foundation,
• materials and finishing methods that are suitable in texture, color, composition.

Features of the main types of MAF

Decorative elements of landscape design differ in purpose, appearance and material from which they are made. But they all create the integrity of the perception of the space surrounding the house or cottage.

Benches

This element is present in almost all areas. Forged, wooden, metal benches of different sizes and shapes are convenient not only for relaxation. They are part of landscape design, and often its key element. A common option is to place benches where garden paths meet. They are also placed at the entrance to a house or site, in gazebos, near the bathhouse and in other places.

Sculptures

The easiest way to decorate an area is to put up garden figurines. They are interesting because they are quickly and easily made by hand from a variety of materials. For example, old tires, pieces of wood, and plastic containers can be used as a basis for creating original outdoor sculptures.

There are also many ready-made options made of plastic, concrete, stone, ceramics, metal, plaster, and marble. They differ in size and appearance. You can make unusual compositions from them.

Lanterns

Lanterns are installed to illuminate the area and decorate it. The best places for this are in front of the house, along the paths, next to the recreation area. There are monumental structures made of concrete or stone, and light and exquisite forged ones.

You need to choose products based on style, material and type of food. In sunny regions, solar-powered lanterns are convenient, but classic electrical devices are practical and versatile.

Gazebos, rotundas, pavilions

In large and small areas there is always a place for a gazebo. It will protect from rain, shelter from strong winds and hide from the hot sun. This is a beautiful and practical design for relaxation, which can be used as a central element when arranging relaxation areas on the site. A good place for it is a garden or the shore of a pond. These types of MAFs are made with open or closed walls, with roofs of different shapes, made of metal, wood, stone.

If the area is large, you can install several gazebos or a pavilion. It is convenient if you often plan to gather with a large group to relax with a barbecue or barbecue. For areas in a classic style with a large house, a rotunda is suitable - a round gazebo with supports in the form of columns.

If the recreation area is combined with a living area, then you can attach a canopy made of wood or metal to the house. Combined options look interesting; for example, metal racks can be decorated with fabric. And climbing plants and shrubs planted around the perimeter of the gazebo, pavilion or canopy will additionally decorate the structures and enhance their shelter function.

What materials are they made from?

Small architectural forms are made of metal, concrete, wood, fiberglass and other materials. The choice depends on the style in which the design of the entire territory is made, as well as on the desires and capabilities of the owners of the garden or dacha.

Concrete

Concrete is often used to decorate large areas, especially those furnished in a colonial or modern style. Designs made from it are durable, have a luxurious appearance and are practical. Cons: high price and heavy weight. Because of these shortcomings, they are used less often in comparison with wooden decor. Most often, urns, garden sculptures, bridges, fountains and grottoes are made from concrete.

Metal

Metal MAFs are more popular, especially forged products. They are durable, suitable for different styles, but require regular maintenance. Swings, benches, gazebos, arches, bridges and fences are made from metal.

Wood, plywood, logs

Architectural elements made from this material are lightweight, durable and suitable for most garden styles. MAF is usually made from wood:

• for recreation areas - terraces, gazebos, patios, outdoor furniture;
• for climbing plant species - arches, trellises, pergolas;
• decorative items - sculptures, birdhouses, animal houses;
• fences, flower beds and flower beds.

Such landscape objects go well with country or garden plots arranged in country or landscape style. For their production, not only wood is often used, but also its other derivatives and plant materials - plywood, wicker, logs.

Stone

This material is universal, highly wear-resistant, and is used in different landscape styles. All kinds of small architectural forms are made from it, but most often garden sculptures, fountains, and tables are chosen to decorate areas. The stone is varied in texture and color, which expands the possibilities of its use.

Fiberglass

Among modern artificial materials, fiberglass is often used for the production of small architectural forms. It is beautiful, durable and varied in appearance. It is made from:

• flowerpots;
• garden furniture, benches, deck chairs;
• flower beds, containers for plants, arches, pergolas;
• swimming pools, decorative ponds, fountains.

Artificial stone is also made from fiberglass, imitating granite, quartz, flagstone, marble and other materials.

Landscaping: outdoor furniture, barbecue areas and much more

Benches, swings, lamps, gazebos, pergolas, fountains, sculptures... Probably, without them our garden would look boring and monotonous. They are the ones who make the suburban area especially cozy and comfortable, allowing you to enjoy not only work to your liking, but also wonderful relaxation in the fresh air. And the most important thing is that you can do such things with your own hands and even in a small area. In this week’s topic, we talk about FORUMHOUSE’s experience in landscaping and share beautiful ideas.

Articles:

Little paradise: a relaxation area in a small country house. What to do if the size of the plot and the total busyness of the owner do not allow the construction of large gazebos and complex stove complexes? You can get out of this situation by making a “quick”, actually mobile, recreation area. A tandoor made from flower pots, a barbecue made from a gas cylinder, a gazebo-dastarkhan, a wall-coupe, furniture made from pallets - FORUMHOUSE users offer many interesting solutions.

Everything for a relaxation area in the country. A finished pavilion instead of a stationary gazebo, country furniture, multifunctional tools - sand the boards for the gazebo and cut a hole in the partition. We offer an overview of the products needed to equip a mobile recreation area.

Decorative bridges on a personal plot - ideas, tips, practice. Bridges in a dacha often have not only practical significance, they are part of the landscape, an expression of the taste and character of the owners. Members of our portal offer many options for decorative bridges implemented on their sites.

Do-it-yourself garden swing - the experience of portal users. Garden swings - seated or folding, with a canopy or in the open air. We make our loved ones a comfortable relaxation area.

Great possibilities of small forms in the landscape. Fountains, gazebos, decorative vases, pergolas and arches, bridges and all kinds of garden furniture not only perform decorative functions, but also add comfort to country life. How to transform a site using small architectural forms.

Pergola, also known as a gazebo. The pergola is one of the most popular structures on FORUMHOUSE user sites. It helps to unite the garden space into one whole and make it logical and correct. In this review we will talk about good options for pergola structures, what materials to use in construction, how to make a lattice, and how to cover the parts.

We sit well: benches for the dacha. A garden bench is an excellent option for decorating an area. It is easy to make with your own hands and without special expenses, from scrap materials. FORUMHOUSE users have accumulated many ideas for making garden furniture and are successfully implementing them.

Video:

Landscape designer's garden. When you find yourself on the site of landscape designer Ekaterina Lokshina, it seems as if you are in the same Wonderland that Alice once visited. The garden is filled with hedges of plants, and the quaint labyrinth of paths can lead to unusual places.

Benches in landscape design. Landscape designer Elena Gerasimova has a dream - to collect a large collection of various benches on her site. And she has already succeeded in something, and she did it all with her own hands.

DIY iceberg gazebo. When the owners of the plot first purchased it, they realized that they were visiting the forest, and they would have to play by its rules. Therefore, the constructed gazebo fits perfectly into nature, despite its unusual nature.

Organization of a garden with a complex of ponds. This garden plot is interesting, first of all, for its hydraulic system. It consists of two ponds, in one of which fish live, a long stream and a beautiful grotto, which, on the front side, has a decorative function, and on the other, it becomes a vegetable garden.

Fountain on your own site. Master Class. A fountain on its site always pleases the eye and attracts the attention of guests. We show you how to quickly make a decorative fountain with your own hands from scrap materials.

Carriage for flowers. With my own hands. A decorative cart with flowers in a garden landscape will no longer surprise anyone. But a whole carriage for flowers is an unusual solution. Portal member Sergei Balanyuk shares the secrets of working on this unusual flower garden.

Cozy landscape on a difficult site. When arranging the landscape, the Budivsky family had to solve many problems at once. Firstly, there were two huge pits on the site. Secondly, the garden should be convenient not only for adults, but also for small children and animals. Of course, at first there were mistakes, but now!…

Forum thread:

DIY lanterns for garden paths. Often, commercially available garden path lights either cost a lot, are flimsy, or don’t look very good. FORUMHOUSE users prefer to make them themselves - the results are beautiful, durable and inexpensive street lamps.

Sculptures and other figures made of cement for the garden. Fountains, sculptures, lamps, figurines—whatever the portal participants don’t sculpt out of cement! In this topic they reveal all the secrets of technology.

Photos of gazebos. Here we post photos of gazebos, barbecues, barbecues and other products of our readers with a description of the parameters, materials used and production costs. Come in and choose the option you like.

DIY garden furniture. After the construction of the house, a lot of building materials remain. Thrifty owners put them to work and make garden furniture, and in this topic they share their ideas.

Sides, borders and other decorative fences for flower beds and beds. From discarded pipes and sheets, remnants of tiles and façade siding, concrete, stone, stumps and other materials, FORUMHOUSE participants make cute fences for flower beds and garden beds. It would seem like a small thing, but how they transform the site! We are looking for interesting solutions in this topic.

Decorative bridges, wells, carts and mills made of wood. Our readers love working with wood. And they make amazing things out of it - both useful and decorative. Let's take advantage of their experience.

Fantasy in the countryside. Photo ideas. In this topic, portal participants share “photos and finds of interesting, original ideas for landscape design, garden trinkets, decorations for the garden and vegetable garden, and simply amazing buildings.” Perhaps these finds will help you awaken your imagination.

Styles of small decorative forms

When choosing an MAF for a garden or cottage, it is important that the created composition is harmonious. Unity of style is one of the main requirements when arranging a site. But this does not mean that all objects should have the same design or be only wooden or forged. Using MAF, you can combine several styles in one area. The integrity of the image is also created taking into account:

• proportional relationships of elements installed in the garden, plant compositions available on the site - small flower beds, for example, are combined with low bridges, benches, small fountains, and among the apple trees near the house you can put a high pergola;

• zoning of the territory - gazebos are appropriate in the recreation area, lanterns along all paths on the site, and green hedges anywhere;
• the feasibility of using objects of the appropriate type - on a site with wooden buildings and a country-style landscape, it is better not to install garden concrete statues or openwork arches, but ceramic decor or a strictly shaped pergola would be appropriate.

Existing styles are conventionally divided into three groups - landscape, formal and modern. Each has many separate varieties, but to arrange a site, it is enough to use objects, trends, bright details related to one of them in one area.