When you need a bit of peace in your day, the sights, sounds, and energy of nature can help you feel calm and more grounded. And when you design your own outdoor retreat space at home, you have a designated spot for mindfulness and relaxation whenever you need it.
In the hustle and bustle of daily life, finding moments of tranquility can be a challenge. Creating a calming outdoor retreat provides you with a space for some much-needed relaxation and an opportunity to reconnect with nature.
Here are a few tips for creating your outdoor oasis:
1. Choose Soothing Colors
Start by selecting a color scheme that pleases the eye and evokes a sense of calm. Pastel shades of blue, green, purple, pink, or other muted earth tones create a soft atmosphere that’s easy on the eyes. Keep things simple by choosing two or three main colors to incorporate into your plants, furniture, and accent pieces.
2. Select Calming Plants
Many plants are known for their calming properties. In addition to smelling delightful, lavender, chamomile, and jasmine are also believed to have relaxation-inducing effects. You can also incorporate plants with lots of lush, green foliage that transports you to the middle of a grounding haven.
3. Enjoy Nature’s Symphony
A symphony of gentle, nature-inspired sounds covers urban noise and elicits a state of mindfulness and connection to the outdoors. Consider a water feature such as a bubbling fountain or a trickling stream, “noisy” plants like bamboo or ornamental grasses, or a resonant wind chime.
4. Create Cozy Nooks
Designate cozy corners with comfortable outdoor seating, like a hammock, chaise lounge, or set of cushioned chairs. This is the perfect spot for reading, journaling, sunbathing, knitting, drawing, or even napping! (Don’t forget to include plenty of pillows.)
5. Incorporate Ambient Lighting
As the sun sets, soft and warm lighting such as string lights, lanterns, and wall sconces gently illuminate your space without being too bright or overwhelming. Subtle light sources create a peaceful ambiance and maintain balance throughout your space.
6. Use Natural Textures
When choosing your furniture and decor, consider pieces that are made from organic materials such as wood, twine, or stone. Plus, items such as wicker chairs, macrame planters, and granite tables are perfect for tying together the natural elements in your design.
7. Shield Your Space
To achieve maximum comfort in your peaceful outdoor oasis, make sure the area is blocked off from neighbors, distractions, and harsh weather. Create privacy with walls, screens, or tall hedges, and shield yourself from wind, rain, and direct sunlight with umbrellas, leafy trees, or a gazebo.
8. Incorporate Tranquil Walkways
Use stepping stones or gravel to create winding pathways that lead into and around your space. This creates an whimsical entryway and encourages slow, mindful strolls through nature. Add fragrant herbs along the path to further engage the senses.
9. Attract Flying Friends
Want a little (non-human) company? Invite birds and butterflies into your space by adding birdbaths with fresh, clean water and nectar-rich blossoms like petunias, zinnias, and cosmos.
10. Play With Fire
Whether you need a little more light or a little more heat, fire fixtures enhance the overall comfort and peacefulness of your outdoor space. The natural warming energy of firepits, candles, and torches carry a calming ambiance into the nighttime hours.
Your outdoor retreat provides a space to breathe, unwind, and reconnect with the soothing rhythms of nature. As you design your space, remember that the true beauty of a serene garden lies not just in its appearance but also in the mindful moments it provides.
For more ways to use plants in your ideal outdoor design, check out Answering the “Six W’s” of Custom Installs, Crafting Nature’s Sculptures: The Art and History of Topiaries, and How to Effectively Use Trees and Shrubs for Privacy.
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