Were you planning your next escape but the pandemic put a stop to all your dreams? Well, you can still have a gorgeous staycation, especially once you design a dreamy oasis right in your backyard. A project like that will provide you with space for sipping cocktails, reading in peace or hanging out with friends while connecting with nature. No matter if you have a huge backyard or just a tiny deck, here’s how you can turn it into your private piece of paradise.
Start with privacy
Every oasis is private and protected from the unwanted gaze, so make sure to start with a privacy screen. You can build a curved arbor or trellis and let vines take over. If you live somewhere cool, ivy and clematis are a great choice, while tropical backyards might profit from bougainvillea vine, passionflower or golden trumpets. Large backyards can be sectioned and divided into small reading nooks or play areas with shrubs or evergreen hedges.
Provide comfy seating
Having room for all your friends and family to sit down and relax is essential. Your oasis needs to be designed with seating in mind so that you can entertain freely (once the pandemic is finally over). Lounge chairs and swings are always popular and you can scatter them all over your backyard for that effortlessly-elegant look. If you have a large family or expect a lot of guests, an outdoor sectional that comes with a coffee table will fit your needs to the T and you’ll have a perfect place for drinking, snacking and playing board games. Sectionals also give you room for naps during those lazy Sunday afternoons!
Add some softness with a rug
A rug? Outside? Hell, yes! This little feature will make all the difference when setting up your outdoor oasis since it adds color, interest and softness. When choosing outdoor rugs, make sure to opt for something made with durable mold- and sun-resistant materials that are designed to be used both outside and inside for that perfect homey atmosphere. These rugs can be cleaned with water and sun-dried, so you always have a clean and cozy outdoor oasis you can tread barefoot. Many designs and patterns are available on the market, so no matter if you prefer something traditional or if you’re leaning towards something modern, you’ll be able to find a rug that matches your vibe.
Welcome greenery
No oasis can offer full comfort without some nature to surround you and lull you. When creating a restorative retreat in your backyard, you have many options at your disposal, but ferns, ivies, begonias and fuchsias work marvelously as centerpieces of every space. If you choose some designer containers, you will achieve amazing results. For some refreshing and relaxing fragrance, you can go with always popular roses, but native plants, wildflowers and herbs also work like a charm. Surround the flower beds with some decorative stones and you’ve got yourself a gorgeous natural escape for all your senses.
Light it up
You’ll probably want to use your oasis after sunset, so lighting it up is crucial. For chill night festivities, string lights work like a charm. They can be hung from your patio roof or wrapped around rails and trees. Besides being warm and decorative, string lights are also affordable, so you don’t have to worry about your wallet. For some extra glow and romance, you can bring out old-school candle lanterns and place them around your patio.
Warm it up with a fire pit
All the best backyard retreats have a fire pit. This design element is not only gorgeous, but it’s also quite useful. It provides people with some extra warmth during those chilly evenings and also allows you to roast tasty marshmallows. Kids will love listening to ghost stories are the fire pit while they enjoy hot chocolate and s’mores, just make sure to inform them about fire safety and how responsible kids behave around the open flame.
No matter if you’re on a budget or not, creating a perfect backyard oasis of peace is not very difficult, especially when you have a lot of space at your disposal. With elements like cozy seating, soft rugs, warm lighting and classy fire pits, designing your backyard retreat will be a piece of cake!
