With a little planning, creativity, and some elbow grease, you can transform your backyard into the perfect garden oasis. Create a relaxing space where you and your family can escape the stresses of everyday life.
Adding comfort to your patio is essential, so be sure to include oversized chairs and chaise loungers in your seating plan. Also, choose weather-resistant fabrics that dry quickly and resist UV rays.
Plants
A garden oasis is a space in your backyard where you can escape the stress of everyday life and connect with nature. The key to creating a great garden oasis is selecting plants and features that will draw you outside, provide shade and add comfort, and create a peaceful atmosphere.
Plants are the foundation of a garden, and they provide essential nutrients to the surrounding soil. When selecting your plantings, make sure they are climate-appropriate for your region.
Plants are also a source of vitamin D, which can improve your mood, lower stress levels and help to regulate your heart rate. Getting outdoors and maintaining a garden is good for your health, and it can boost the value of your home as well.
Outdoor Structures
The right outdoor structures can enhance your garden oasis and provide a place to relax or entertain. They can also be a great way to add architectural interest and protect your space from the sun.
Some of the most popular types of outdoor structures include pergolas, arbors and trellises.
Pergolas are typically constructed with wooden beams or slats arranged in a criss-cross pattern to provide partial shade. They can be used to frame walkways and entryways, or they can be incorporated into landscaping to support climbing plants and vines.
Trellises, on the other hand, are flat sections of lattice work that are used to support vines and flowers. They are often added to increase the visual interest to a blank wall, to add height to patios or fences and to provide privacy to an outdoor structure.
Lighting
The perfect lighting is the key to making your garden oasis a welcoming retreat. With a carefully considered mix of fixtures, you can highlight your favourite features, light pathways or create a magical atmosphere after dark.
‘Lighting has become an increasingly important part of garden design,’ says Janine Pattison (opens in new tab) of award-winning garden designer JPS Landscape Design. ‘We use uplighting, downlighting, silhouetting and spot lighting to add glamour and sparkle to gardens.
Choosing the right lighting is a crucial step in creating the ultimate relaxation and entertainment space, and it’s easy to make a big impact with just a few simple ideas. Start by adding a few spotlights to illuminate your favourite trees and sculptures, and add some ambiance with uplighting or downlighting on the patio floor or deck.
Furniture
Choosing the right furniture for your garden oasis is a crucial step in ensuring that it becomes an inviting and calming place to enjoy. The right choice of chairs, sofas and a lounge suite will beckon you to sit back and take in all that nature has to offer while you relax or entertain.
A comfortable, relaxing spot to unwind after a long day is important for your health. By spending time outside, instead of sitting on the couch in front of a TV screen, you can relieve eye strain and improve your overall mood.
Fresh and modern outdoor design elements are a great way to create a luxury backyard oasis. One of the easiest ways to achieve this is by using rounded shapes throughout your space. Round outdoor dining tables, curve-backed chairs and circular planters are all great examples of this.
Entertainment
Backyards aren’t just for lounging — they also provide a great place to entertain. With the right lighting and sound, a backyard oasis can create a magical atmosphere and encourage guests to stay longer.
Experts agree that a garden oasis should be tailored to the desires of the owner. According to Mitch Kalamian, a landscape consultant at Solena Landscape, a client’s ideal oasis can range from “a calming Zen vibe” to a tropical paradise.
Creating a true backyard oasis takes time and planning, but the end result is well worth it. Once you’ve made your dream oasis a reality, you’ll love spending time in it and will want to share it with family and friends.
