Having a beautiful backyard is a dream come true for a lot of people. In this day and age, all of us simply need a quiet little place to relax and unwind after a busy day. Sure, a lot of us already have such an area somewhere in our homes, but not many realize the healing power of spending time outdoors.
That’s why, if you are thinking about updating your outdoor area, we urge you to consider creating a true Zen oasis, where you will be able to fully give in to the healing powers of Mother Nature and spend some quality time immersed in all of her beauties, either alone or with friends and family. If the idea sounds appealing, but you’re not quite sure how you can achieve it, keep on reading.
First, take care of your patio
Many of us simply forget about this amazing outdoor area when designing is concerned. People usually focus more on styling up their interior and sprucing up their gardens, so the patio gets somehow showed out of focus. Instead of repeating the mistake many have already made, fill your patio fit sturdy, functional and, most importantly, beautiful outdoor furniture and add layers of comfort to it. Cover the ground in the seating area with an organic jute rug, add soft seating cushions and throw blankets on the furniture, and throw in a colorful ottoman to further layer the look. Finally, top it all off with sheer light curtains and layered lighting fixtures.
Next, inspect your pathways
No matter how much attention you pay to your backyard and no matter how well-kept and well-organized it actually is, a cracked or damaged pathway will instantly diminish its charm. So, instead of ignoring this element, make sure that it’s in peak condition. If, on the other hand, your pathway has seen better days, see what you can do about it. For example, consider replacing your concrete pathways with natural stone ones, but arrange the stones a few inches apart. Then, plant ground covers, such as moss, between the stones to create a beautiful coherent pathway. Finally, install inground solar lights alongside your pathway that will subtly illuminate it during the night, creating a true sense of peace and serenity.
Further, add a touch of luxury
If you have the option, why not make your yard just a tad bit luxurious as well? When decorating, inspect your yard and think about what you can do to add a bit of luxe to it. For example, you can opt for a stylish outdoor spa pool to work as a key feature of your outdoor oasis. Then, again, add some light sheer curtains around it for a sense of privacy, illuminate the structure with waterproof fairy lights to boost the romantic vibe and even consider getting an outdoor cooling unit that will allow you to have a cold glass of your favorite beverage whenever you feel like it.
Finally, add finishing touches all around
There are a lot of ways you can boost the look of your yard with the help of just some carefully-picked details. First of all, make sure that your backyard is well illuminated. However, avoid using the light that’s too strong throughout the yard to avoid making it look tacky. Instead, opt for solar lights throughout the space and go for LED lights only in the areas where you need it, like the patio seating area and the outdoor spa area. Next, add a couple of visually interesting features, such as a small fountain and a well-crafted fire pit. Alternatively, you can choose to scatter a few stone statues around your yard and place inground solar lights right at their base. This will add an element of surprise to your yard, enhancing the mysterious vibe. Finally, you can even create a small outdoor meditation shrine dedicated to the great Buddha himself.
These were, of course, just some of the ways you can Zen out your backyard. Your main goal should be putting together a space where you’ll be able to relax and fully embrace the healing power of nature. Once you manage to achieve that, you’ll always have a personal Zen oasis just waiting to cater to all of your needs, right at the comfort of your own home.
Chloe is a graduated journalist from Adelaide and a regular contributor to Smooth Decorator. She loves everything related to decor, aesthetic and lifestyle topics. She is also passionate about photography. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world and take some stunning photographs of beautiful places. Beside all this, she enjoys drinking coffee and reading a beautiful book from time to time.