Your backyard can be an extension of your home, giving more room for relaxing, spending time with friends and family or more space for activities. Creating a lush and inviting space can be easy with the addition of a few flowers, shrubs and décor, personalising it with your own touches too.
If you’re trying to get the most out of your backyard, creating an oasis you can’t wait to spend time in, this guide will give you the helpful tips you need. Explore some new and useful ways to transform your backyard into your own personal oasis.
Create a calming atmosphere with water features
Water is incredibly soothing, pool or no pool. Adding water features—like fountains, ponds or small waterfalls—to your backyard can help create a relaxing space on nearly every budget, so you can enjoy the trickling sound of water at any time. Even renters can create a calming atmosphere with standalone water features, ideal for balconies, patios or gardens.
Water features are also a low-maintenance backyard addition. Once a year, simply empty them and give them a quick scrub with a non-abrasive sponge or brush, and fill them back up. If you don’t have a hose, you can use something like a reusable bottle to add fresh water back into your fountains or ponds (and enjoy some chilled water after all your hard work).
Add ambiance with creative lighting
Adding lighting to your backyard will help you enjoy your oasis day and night. Simply hanging some string lights, lanterns or placing solar-powered garden lights where you’ll be spending time will help you set the right mood, whether you’re heading outdoors for a BBQ, pre-bedtime cup of tea or a chit-chat with friends.
You can even play with lighting options to create different moods. Lining a pathway through your garden with solar-powered lights can make even the depths of your yard more inviting, while soft fairy lights are great for those early-evening or late-night get-togethers. Think about how you want to use your garden and choose accordingly to get the most use out of your backyard.
Perfect the art of outdoor dining
There’s something about dining outdoors that’s so relaxing. But it does take some specific design choices to ensure it’s easy and practical to do all-year round (or whenever you like).
Sturdy furniture, like tables and chairs, are an absolute must for outdoor dining. They tend to be more comfortable, and aren’t as easily swept away by wind or during storms. Speaking of weather, a weatherproof umbrella and even an outdoor heater are a smart way to help you control the temperature while you dine. You can also keep a dedicated set of reusable cups, plates and other tableware in a weather-proof box near your entertainment area to make it easy to set up.
Incorporate greenery and garden elements
The colour green is calming because it reminds us of nature. So the more greenery and colour you can add outdoors, the better. Whether it’s some low-maintenance potted plants or a vertical garden wall on your balcony or patio, or full gardens, you can choose plants that work for your yard and lifestyle.
Native plants tend to be the most low-maintenance. A visit to your local garden nursery will help you find plants native to your specific area to add to your garden. You could even add herbs, fruit trees or vegetable plants if you want to turn your outdoor space into a multi-use oasis.
Make it a place you enjoy
The most important step when creating a backyard oasis is to design it to your personal wants and likes. If you want a peaceful place to relax, some plants and a water feature with comfy seating may be all you need. For someone who likes to entertain, an outdoor movie screen, speakers or even a games area can create some fun for all ages.
Creating an outdoor space with a balance of entertainment and relaxation will give you the best of both worlds. With the right lighting, furniture, décor and some greenery, you’ll want to get outdoors into your own backyard oasis whenever you can.
