Time spent outdoors in nature has been proven to have positive effects on our health. Being surrounded by greenery is said to calm our senses, bringing us to a state of peace and comfort. Turning your backyard into a cozy oasis is a great place to start. Your backyard is a place where you can make memories with friends and family, but it can also be a place where you can break away from the world and relax. In this article, we share five of the best backyard retreat ideas that will turn your backyard into a relaxing oasis, giving you a safe space to escape the day. Keep reading to learn more.
Benefits of a Backyard Retreat
We all need a place to unwind after a long day. Having a place to escape to after a stressful 9 to 5 day surely will have you feeling refreshed in no time. That is why building your own backyard oasis is a great idea for anyone who has the space for it. Not to mention, being outside, near nature, has been linked to many health benefits. Retreating to a backyard oasis can lead to a better mood, improved cognitive performance, lower stress levels, and so much more. Your backyard oasis will be a place where you can refresh, rest, and relax. When our brains stay busy, it leads to burnout and mental fatigue. But finding the safe space and time to relax can have a multitude of positive effects on our well-being. That being said, there are a few backyard basics you should consider incorporating into your oasis.
Backyard Basics
There are a few basic things your backyard will need in order to become that comforting retreat you can escape to. These basics serve as pillars to any cozy backyard and patio… making sure your backyard oasis includes these items will be the first step to curating your outdoor haven.
Greenery
Nothing is more relaxing than laying down on the swing or bench in the backyard, while the wind softly rustles the leaves of a nearby tree. Being surrounded by green foliage creates the ambiance of a green getaway, safe and protected from anything beyond the trees. Having trees, shrubs, and flowers in your backyard is a must for a backyard retreat. Foliage provides shade and shelter from harsh weather conditions and sunlight, in addition to bringing your backyard closer to nature.
Shade & Sunlight
Your backyard should have just enough shade and sunlight for you to enjoy. Being out in the sunlight, being able to feel its warmness on your skin, is a crucial part of feeling alive. However, when it gets too hot, retreating to the shade can cool you off without forcing you to go back inside. Having a backyard that has equal parts shade and sun will create a balanced space you’ll find yourself wanting to be in more and more.
Lighting
Setting up some lights and lamps around your backyard will offer some mood lighting and accentuate the small details of your surroundings. No one likes walking into a dark backyard at night, but having some lighting set up around the perimeter of your patio will create a cozy nighttime atmosphere and a great place to unwind with loved ones.
Sense of Privacy
Having a sense of privacy is one of the most important characteristics of a backyard retreat. Having a barrier between you, your neighbors, and any surrounding roads will truly define your oasis. Opaque fences create a sense of privacy so that you can enjoy your backyard, uninterrupted. No one likes to feel watched when they are in their own backyard, and therefore, creating a barrier between your backyard and beyond will give you a feeling of safety and privacy.
5 Backyard Retreat Ideas
Now that you know the key pillars of a backyard oasis, incorporating these elements into your backyard space will be easy. With these additions, your backyard can slowly transform into the oasis escape you never knew you needed!
1. Water Feature
Adding a modern water feature to your backyard is the best way to build a comforting ambiance. Everyone loves the sound of a babbling brook – recreate that with a simple water fountain or other water feature. Day or night, hearing the sound of trickling water is sure to help you relax.
2. Planters
Not only do planters add an interesting visual flair, but they also surround you with beautiful flowers or tall grasses. Adding these around your patio will create gorgeous landscaping that will allow you to forget where you are. Not to mention, exercising your green thumb is great for mental health!
3. Pergola
Pergolas are great because they can create a shield from the weather if you’d like to spend time outside despite some rainy conditions. They come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors, creating a really interesting cover for your patio and sitting areas.
4. Privacy Screen
There are many unique-looking privacy screens to choose from! Whether you choose a roll-down curtain to shade the deck or porch, or if you choose a standing screen to create a barrier from neighbors, roads, or even the sun! Privacy screens, like pergolas, also give patios an interesting look and feel.
5. Decorative Pillows & Outdoor Rug
You can’t go wrong with decorative pillows on your outdoor couch. Add some comfiness and color to your patio with decorative pillows! Additionally, adding a patterned outdoor rug will give the patio some pop and texture.
Conclusion – How to Turn Your Backyard into an Oasis
Now that you know just how beneficial a cozy backyard can be for your mental, cognitive, and physical health. Putting the final pieces together should be easy! Once you have the lighting, shade, sunlight, privacy, and greenery you need… the rest will come together without issue. Turning your backyard into an oasis will give you a place to rest and relax and share memories with your friends and family.