Summer is knocking at our door, and it brings the need to get away from the lengthy commutes and crazy schedules. As lovely as a trip to a 5-star resort sounds, most people need a getaway that’s near and available 24/7. So why wouldn’t you make one in your backyard? It may sound like a daunting task, but truth be told – it’s much easier than you think. With the right tips, you’ll get clued up about all the design elements that you can combine and create a stunning outdoor oasis of your own. Here are some tips and tricks that will help on that redecorating journey.
1. Make your yard luminous
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Spending hot summer days in your backyard or next to the pool is great. However, you’ll want to enjoy it when the sun goes down, too. You can’t do that without some source of light. Depending on the atmosphere you want to set, there is a great variety of options to choose from. If you have enough space, consider building a fire pit. Just imagine a starry summer night and your friends gathered around the fire. Sounds awesome, right? If you’re into something more practical, you can go for candles, floating globes, or solar landscape lighting. By mixing them, you’ll create a romantically-lit oasis in your backyard.
2. Cozy up your patio
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It goes without saying that no backyard oasis is complete without comfortable seating. Whether it’s a porch swing, a hammock or a gazebo, you need a cozy little nook in your yard. If your seating is in the area that’s not covered from the weather, a great solution is a raised patio pergola that will transform your outdoor living space with its functional and modern design. Having that checked off the list, you can now decorate the area with pillows, rugs, chairs, and lighting. When it comes to the choice of fabric for your seating area, go for sturdy ones since you want the pillowcases and chair pads to last longer than one season.
3. Increase privacy in your backyard
The whole idea behind creating a cozy outdoor retreat is to hide from your neighbor’s prying eyes. You want to make a place that will give you a sense of freedom and privacy. It can be challenging if you live in the city or crowded suburbs. Don’t get discouraged, though. There are lots of ways to achieve this no matter the surroundings. Landscaping can play a major role here. By smartly planting trees and bushes, you’ll create a wonderfully discreet outdoor area. Decorate a pergola with some nice draperies. A trellis will not only give you privacy but will also provide you with a beautiful curtain of flowers.
4. Invest in greenery
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Nothing will make your backyard more lush and welcoming than greenery. It will not only give you much-needed privacy, but it will also help you make your yard look like a secret retreat. Before purchasing the plants, you should do some research first. Depending on the amount of sunlight your yard receives, see which types of plants will work best for you. You can go for annuals if you don’t mind rolling up your sleeves every spring. If you’re more into low-maintenance plants, choose perennials.
Layering your landscape will give your yard depth and make it look more interesting. Plant the trees in the back, shrubs in the middle, and flower beds in front. If you’re working on a relatively small area, opt for one or two layers and don’t forget to include some pollinator-friendly plants if you want to attract birds to your oasis.
5. The design should be all about you
Photo by KaLisa Veer on Unsplash
Forget about designer trends and think about you. How do you like to spend your time outdoors? Is your retreat meant to host large groups of people or just you? How functional do you want it to be? These are just some of the questions that you need to think about before you start working on your outdoor retreat. If you plan on having your friends over quite often, then you should invest in a big deck and maybe a barbecue area. On the other hand, if you’re making a dream oasis so you can relax and enjoy your privacy, then give advantage to your reading nook and landscaping. Remember that it’s all about you and your preferences.
In order to enjoy the nice weather, you don’t have to cross miles to get to that retreat you’ve been dreaming about. You can make one in your own backyard. Following these tips will help you create a cozy outdoor retreat that you’ll love.
About the Author
Hannah Thomas is a gardening and home decor enthusiast. Garden is the place where she feels most comfortable, that’s why there are always a lot of books and empty coffee cups on the back porch. Always learning, exploring and smiling.
