You can find colorful, shiny or subtly decorated orb sculptures in gardens everywhere. Sometimes called garden balls, gazing balls or spheres, these globes have been a popular outdoor decoration for decades. They come in myriad designs, styles and sizes and are very simple to make yourself. Here we’ll go over a few ways to decorate your own garden spheres to add some sparkle and shine to your outdoor space.
Considering Garden Ball Options
One of the great things about this project is that you can use a lot of different materials for the base. For the purpose of this guide, we recommend either using an old bowling ball (sanded down to a matte finish).
That being said, you can make garden balls in a variety of sizes. One visually pleasing idea is to arrange clusters of different sized spheres together in the garden. For these you could use billiard balls or bocce balls along with your larger bowling ball sphere.
How to Display Your Garden Ball
You can place your garden ball right onto the ground if you wish or you may use something to hold it up for better visibility. You can use metal plant stands, vases, lamp stands, flower pots, bird baths and more. All you need is something that can support the weight of the bowling ball.
Mirrored “Gazing Sphere” DIY
If you want to go with the classic ultra-reflective garden ball, you can do so with only a few materials. All you need is a can of chrome spray paint. Simply cover the bowling ball in as many coats as you want to get the desired level of reflection and shine. Once it’s dry, you’ll have a classic mirrored gazing sphere for a fraction of the cost of buying one from a garden store.
Colorful Marble Garden Ball DIY
For this type of garden ball you’ll need flat marbles and a strong adhesive. For longest-lasting results, go with silicone sealant. If you want additional materials as “filler” between marbles, you can use colorful aquarium gravel, decorative sand, vase fillers or vase confetti.
To prepare your bowling ball, sand it carefully to remove the glossy surface. This will make it easier for the adhesive to grip onto the surface. You may also wish to paint it another color. If you’re using translucent marbles, keep in mind that the background color will be somewhat visible.
If you want to make any sort of design on your garden ball, plan it beforehand. Silicone sealant is permanent once it dries so the more you prepare your design the better. Once you’re ready, start adhering the flat marbles onto the surface of the bowling ball. Work carefully and in sections. Try adding the marbles from the bottom up so that the upper layers can rest on the ones below. If you want to add any filler material, do so before the adhesive dries.
These are just a few ideas for making your own beautiful garden balls. Whether you wish to reflect the world around you in a mirrored surface or create a custom mosaic design with marbles, you’ll end up with a unique piece of decor for your garden or outdoor space.
About the Author
Kyung Kim
Hi, I'm Kyung Kim. I immigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1968 when I was 7 years old. I have seen my mom struggle with the English language and work hard to raise her four kids by herself. Still to this day, I don't know how she pulled it off, but she bought her first home in 1979 for $70,000 and because of that decision, she was able to live without worrying about her financial future. I want that for everyone, to feel the pride of home ownership and to build their financial wealth using real estate as part of their financial portfolio. I feel so blessed to play a small role in helping others reach this goal.
I live in Beaverton with my husband, Richard. My mom, who lived with us for several years, passed away in our home in February 2022. Her first home purchase in 1979 made it possible for her to live to the very end, without worrying about her finances. As of August 2022 with a little downpayment assistance, our four children own their own homes. Being in real estate, I quickly realized that if they didn't buy now, they may be priced out of the market in the future. Whether that would have been the case, we will never know, but what we do know is that they are all realizing some good, healthy appreciation in their home values.
As passionate as I am about people owning their homes, I'm also passionate about giving back to our community. I support Compassion First, a non-profit organization that provides aftercare for sex trafficked girls in Indonesia. My husband and I also feel called to financially support social injustice organizations.
I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
