Even though the pandemic is almost over in many parts of the world, those two years we spent locked up really left a mark on all of us. Many people are left craving a connection with the outside world, and if you can’t find it in nature, you can try to find it in your backyard. But how can you enjoy your outdoor space when it’s cluttered, neglected, and boring? Take a look at these easy but effective tips for creating a relaxing and restful backyard:
Surround yourself with greenery
Your relaxation, mindfulness, and enjoyment of the outdoor space come with plants. Humans naturally feel more relaxed and inspired when they are surrounded by greenery, so allow your brain to enjoy these treats. Focus on creating a garden with a lot of variety for extra interest and potential of mindfulness and gratefulness. However, make sure to also opt for plants that are native to your area, so you don’t have to worry about maintenance too much.
Add some sun-protection
When the sun hits (especially if you live in extreme-sun places like Australia or Africa) even the most enthusiastic sun lovers will appreciate some shade. If you provide your backyard with relief from the sun, you, your family, and your friends can enjoy your outdoor space even in the biggest heat. Think patio umbrellas, awnings, or even pergolas covered in vines and airy curtains.
Ensure privacy
If you want to turn your backyard into a true oasis, make sure to give it a sense of enclosure with fences and living walls. Additions like lattice, pergolas, and tall greenery can protect your backyard from prying eyes and offer some additional noise protection.
Boost safety
How can you fully relax in your backyard when there’s even the slightest possibility of your kids or pets getting hurt? Well, if you have a pool, this possibility is always present, especially if you live somewhere very warm and sunny like Australia, where your pool might be in use all year round. Try to boost safety in your backyard with swimming pool fencing in Sydney that will keep your kids and pets away from the dangers of the pool when you’re not watching. Make sure to opt for a glass barrier so you can still enjoy the views of the water and the blue of the pool, just without having an accident ready to happen in your backyard. When you know your loved ones are safe, then you can truly start to unwind.
Treat yourself to comfy seating
Once you get the basics out of the way, you can start dealing with furnishing and decoration. If you’re looking for deep relaxation, some low seating like lounge chairs and sofas allow you to relax, stretch your legs, and even take a tiny power nap in the fresh air. These will spark long conversations and push you to forget about your phone for a while.
Embrace the flame
The open flame gives people a primal focal point, especially attractive when the sun goes down and the evening chill starts to creep in. You can easily create a small firepit to draw people together and make your backyard usable almost all year.
Create a small privacy nook
For a real escape from the world, you can sneak in a tiny privacy nook that will be just yours to enjoy after a long day at work. And you can go as simple as you want, with just a small hammock surrounded by greenery. This place would be perfect for afternoon naps or catching up with your book. If you don’t have any way to add a hammock to your garden, you can always choose a small chaise longue and drown it in pillows.
Make it evening-friendly
There’s nothing more annoying than having to go inside because your backyard is not equipped for nighttime use. With soft and relaxing lighting, you can extend the usability of your outdoor space and boost safety and relaxation after sundown. Dimmable lamps are a must for all dining and conversation areas, but you can also opt for cute fairy lights to illuminate the setting gently. Solar-powered lights are also a great addition to steps and paths to improve safety and add layers to your lighting.
With a remodeled backyard, no matter how small the changes you make are, you’ll still feel a deeper connection with the outdoors and enjoy many relaxing moments in your private oasis.
Diana Smith
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