Bright, warm days are right around the corner. Everyone is busy refreshing the indoors with vibrant colors, light linens, and lovely flowers, all ready to embrace the beautiful summer season. But what about the outdoors? Have you made arrangements for a tranquil backyard retreat where you can kick back and rejuvenate with your friends and family?
Whether you’re starting from scratch or simply looking to enhance the existing outdoor decor, this article is for you. Check out our top 11 outdoor oasis ideas to inspire your choices!
Pick the Right Spot
Not everyone has access to the luxury of an exclusive backyard. Start by looking for a spot with maximum privacy. If the chosen corner is still somewhat exposed to outsiders, consider adding privacy hedges to perfect the experience for you and your guests. Sure, you love your neighbours, but you probably wouldn’t want to be observed or judged when enjoying a dinner with family or kicking back alone with your favorite hobbies.
Try something visually appealing, like large potted plants, a giant palm, or fast-growing shrubs (such as the thick evergreen foliage of arborvitae). A folding screen or trellis will do the job, too.
Choose a Theme
What’s the one secret that makes a hotel resort so relaxing? The consistent theme that creates a coherent outdoor retreat. Each detail complements the other—tying together the look perfectly.
When decorating a backyard retreat in your home, try anchoring the space around a particular design style. Choose something that reflects your personality and speaks to who you truly are. And remember, it doesn’t have to be expensive. Simply following the right color palette and using the right materials can do the trick.
Invest in Good-Quality Outdoor Seating
Comfort is key. No matter how aesthetic the decor is, outdoor entertainment is incomplete without functional and relaxing furniture.
Depending on the size available, you can find full-fledged outdoor seating sets or go for smaller bistro sets paired with hanging chairs and bar stools. Don’t forget to add soft blankets, knitted throws, and fluffy cushions to savor the cooler evening breeze.
Illuminate the Space
You don’t want to shift your delightful BBQ party indoors—or, even worse, spend the evening bumping and tripping—as soon as the Sun goes down.
Illuminating the space with a soft glow not only extends the time outdoors but also dramatically elevates the magical vibe of your backyard retreat. Look for unique outdoor lighting ideas like pathway lighting, floodlights, and spotlights. Top this with string lights, hanging lanterns, and underwater lighting—if you’ve got a water feature.
To add some extra pizzazz, leverage a fireplace to enjoy the subtle dancing glow of fire. From fire tables and fire bowls to elaborate gas fireplaces, there are tons of options to choose from.
Add a Water Feature
Want to take your garden design to the next level? Add a water feature. The relaxing sound of water has a meditating effect that adds to the luxurious element of your outdoor decor. You can splurge with fancy options like a mini pond, spend on average-priced picks like a standing waterfall, or save with something affordable, such as a birdbath.
Tip: If canceling distracting noise from the surroundings (such as that of traffic or A/C units) is one of your concerns, choose a water feature with a splash or fall as part of its design rather than a pour-over, quiet style.
Opt for Organic Textures
Complement the natural elements of your backyard landscape design with organic textures and tones to create an inviting ambiance. Invest in wicker outdoor seating, roll out a jute rug, and add accents made of natural materials—it’s all about the little details!
The best part? The idea works for every size, especially in small backyards where you can’t go over the board. Think of a garden design that doesn’t have a distinct corner for a backyard retreat. You can simply choose a private corner, add some faux decorative stones to define the landscape, and install an oak wood bench. Pair this with organic outdoor accessories, such as bamboo planters for a fragrant aura and wicker lanterns for an appealing glow. Bonus points if you find an old wood stump nearby to be used as a table to house refreshments and essentials.
Voila—your cozy backyard escape is ready!
Sprinkle in Luxe Accents
Perhaps you want luxurious outdoor decor but aren’t ready to commit to the hefty designer price tags. Good news is you can always upgrade the existing design with affordable ideas that look expensive—here are some of our favorites.
- Upgrade the patio furniture with a fresh lick of paint and high-quality outdoor cushions.
- Add a vibrant outdoor rug that matches the furniture cushions.
- Present fancy pots with seasonal, vibrant flowers on the side tables.
- Bring in fancy lighting, like garden bollards, step lights, and outdoor wall sconces.
Create a Fragrant Environment
A backyard retreat is all about getting away from it all and rejuvenating in a space that allows you to experience all 5 senses in a way that can’t always be done indoors. And what better way to stimulate our smelling sense than to unwind in a retreat of fragrant flowers and herbs? Not only do they improve moods when you inhale, but they also serve as a tasteful feast for the eyes.
Freesia, jasmine, lily, lavender, and gardenia are some easy-to-find and incredible-smelling options on the market. You can also simply pluck a few roses from the garden and arrange them in a vase on the table.
Make Your Backyard Retreat Functional
A backyard retreat isn’t only meant to be an Instagram-worthy, aesthetic space. Functionality is what makes the outdoor living space truly enjoyable and worthwhile.
- Define zones for different activities, like lounging, cooking, and gardening.
- Make arrangements for shade (with an umbrella or pergola) for each zone.
- Install an outdoor kitchen for cooking, especially if you’ll be hosting often.
- Provide adequate storage with ideas like outdoor cabinets or storage sheds.
- Curate an appropriate watering plan for the leafy greens in your backyard.
Design a Meditation Corner
Don’t forget to reserve a corner of your backyard retreat for recharging and unwinding early in the morning. The key is to design a meditation/yoga corner that refreshes each cell of your body.
A soft yoga mat, for example, with botanical cushions, is a great starting point. You can also include a yoga chair and some motivational quotes displayed on a chalkboard nearby.
Improve Aesthetic Appeal with Garden Landscaping
Get your gardener mode on to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your tranquil backyard escape. Here are some basic garden landscaping tips to get you started.
- Determine the landscape needs and wants. What type of garden design do you want? Do your kids need a play area? Do you want to grow veggies?
- Think about location. What are the sun and wind patterns? What’s the perfect spot for outdoor seating? Where will the plants and flowers thrive?
- Choose plants wisely. Do you want a low-maintenance garden? Do you want to create a statement? Do you want to attract wildlife?
- Consider the plant placement. A preferred order is tall plants, short plants, and then shrubs and filler plants.
Of course, these are the very basics—make sure to look into more details before grabbing your trowel and shovel.
Final Words
You see, there are unlimited backyard oasis ideas to help you relax and get into a zen state of mind. The key is to find peace in a backyard escape that works for you and your lifestyle!
