29 Rusty Metal Garden Junk Art Ideas

If you love rusty garden junk, this gallery of old metal garden art is for you. From old tools made into creatures to orbs and old bed frames, just about any old metal pieces can have a new life in your backyard.

Also see these wonderful garden art critters made from rusty tools.

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Rust in the Garden

What is it about oxidized iron that makes it look so perfect in the garden?

I’m sure garden art started many years ago by circumstance.

Long before there were landfills for unwanted stuff, trash was stashed or buried nearby, left to deteriorate over time.

But so long as there have been humans, there have been humans with creative impulses! And, even centuries ago, some could not resist the impulse to turn that old metal bed frame or pile of rusted tools into some fabulous creature or ornamental statue.

Today, most metal garden junk is welded (something I wish I could do), but no matter how you make it or get it, it’s clear the love of rust lives on.

I created this gallery with favorite snapshots from my own garden and garden tours.

I’ve gathered some favorites from my garden and garden tours.

Can I buy this garden art?

I get lots of emails asking where to buy these items. If I know a source, I have listed it under the image. Otherwise, I do not know the specific source.

For similar pieces, check shops like these ones on Etsy.

Rusty Garden Art Ideas

1Classic Garden Orb

This is one of those classic pieces that immediately becomes a focal point in the garden. If you have an plant nursery nearby—the type that carries upscale garden art—that’s the place to find an orb like this one.

Etsy Shops: see metal garden orbs by various Etsy sellers.

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2Woodpecker

So many people love this woodpecker and for good reason. He’s charming and so nicely made. While this one is one-of-a-kind, there are other versions in online shops including this rusty woodpecker on Amazon.

Etsy Shops: There are all sorts of wonderful woodpecker garden art pieces on Etsy—not just rusty ones.

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3Metal Bee Skep

This one is in my garden. The bee is from a golf ball craft project.

Etsy Shops: see bee-themed garden art here.

I got this skeep at a yard sale years ago and added the golf ball bee for no particular reason other than the theme.

The instructions for making quirky creatures from golf balls are here.

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4Rusty Flower

Etsy Shops: see giant garden art flowers.

It’s always best to find something like this locally since it’s bulky and would cost a small fortune to ship. But, it’s also worth looking on Etsy in case a seller happens to be local to you.

If you want to make your own garden art flowers, this is how I make giant coneflowers.

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5Bike Parking

Old wagons, tricycles, bikes, and wheelbarrows all make good garden art, either on their own or as planter. This has an entire gallery of garden art ideas with wheels.

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6Rusty Welcome Sign

Not a great pic, but it’s a sweet piece. It’s an angel over the word “welcome.”

Etsy Shops: see welcome signs.

If you’d like a unique sign for your garden, see these Funny, Sweet, and Sarcastic Garden Signs.

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7Rusty Mermaid

Etsy Shops: see mermaid garden art.

What a fun piece. If you find a metal piece at a junk shop or yard sale, even if it doesn’t have a hanger, you can always make one like they did here.

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8Rusty Fish

I love this fish. He’s perfect over the dry pond. the garden art cattails are sweet too.

Etsy Shops: metal fish garden art.

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9 Rusty Wheel

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10Rusty Stoves, Heaters, Fireplaces

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11Bed Time

Yes, brass does not rust, but it does get a good patina over time.

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12Shovel Bird

Related: Tool Garden Art Gallery

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13Rusty Shelf, Birdhouse, and Hardware

This display of rustic items was on a garden tour I attended several years ago. Love the hardware and tool box!

Related: Gallery of Birdhouse Ideas

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14Rusty Garden Bells

I remember a version of these being popular for front doors years ago. This one is on a garden stake.

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15Bike Gear Trellis

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16Rusty Garden Birds

A new garden art piece that has rusty very nicely indeed.

See Rusty Garden Art on Amazon

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17Licence Plates and Old Tools

This is a scene from the same garden where I saw a fun ‘Hairy Potter’ potting bench, where Harry was apparently a mad scientist. It’s one of my favorite junk gardens ever. The artist is off-the-charts creative.

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18Rusty Garden Bird

Another contemporary garden art bird. I’d love to display one in a barbwire nest.

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19Rusty Old Copper Kettle

This kettle has been in my family for years. If you love old watering cans, also see Watering Can Garden Art.

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20Rusty Garden Orb

This one was also on a garden tour. I love the simplicity of it.

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21Rusty Old Tools

Trust me when I say you will probably never see a larger display of old tools!

There must be 2000 tools on this shed wall.

22Metal Garden Art Dog

This crazy looking guy is outside a junk/antique shop called McRatterson’s Collectables and Antiques at Kinmore, Ontario. The whole garden has some very clever junk ideas.

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23Garden Junk Pipe Men

These are made from old tin / metal pipes. They’re super simple but so cute.

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24Welded Tool Art

These are so fun. I love the creative minds that see old tools and metal junk and see what they can be transformed into.

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25Vintage Wheel Garden Bench

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26Rusty Knight

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27Rusty Urn

Plant Ideas: This one is packed with plants including some bulbs (the green leaves), flowers (supertunias or similar), and ivy to spill over the sides. I also see some purple leaves (Tradescantia pallida, perhaps) for contrasting colors.

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28Rusty Sap Buckets

These are in my garden:

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29Rusty Pinecone

I really love this one. It fits my obsession with spirals in nature.

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30Snail Garden Art

And finally, a favorite snail sculpture from my own garden—a gift from one of my kids.

I hope you enjoyed this glimpse into the world of rust in the garden.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛