When you look out into your backyard or bare garden, are you instantly taken to a more tranquil place - where the stress and worries of the workday disappear before your eyes? If not, then you need to create a personal retreat where you can unwind, relax and enjoy nature. Creating an oasis can be very rewarding and simple to put together. With just a few key ingredients, you can be reap the benefits in no time at all.
The first thing to consider is the area in which to house your new retreat. Ideally, your location should be quiet and peaceful with the least amount of distraction. If your yard is all open space, the a small fence and an arbor could be well served. Once you have explored your options, it's time to add your personal touches. Here are some ideas of how to improve the look and feel of your garden retreat.
Seating should be at the top of your list. You need comfortable outdoor furniture that will suit your particular needs. Do you want to sit down and read or lounge in the warm breeze? Either way, you should choose furniture made from woods like bamboo, teak and wicker, all of which simultaneously blend with nature.
Metallics are too hard and will take away from the natural look of your new space. Black should also be avoided because of it's ability to absorb the heat and bright colors are too busy and will distract you. However, for just a splash of color, try adding some of you favorite annuals in a light color of your choice.
Use a color scheme to unify your space. Cool colors like blue, green, gray and white are known to have calming effects. You can easily add this color palette to your decor. Plantings could include tall grasses and silver foliage. If digging up your backyard is not part of the plan, then place decorative pots and urns in a pattern or randomly throughout the area for a whimsical touch.
Are you looking to attract wildlife for a true nature inspired theme? Attract chirping birds or chattering animals native to your environment by providing their basic habitat, feeding, and cover requirements. Suet is a good choice for attracting insect-eating birds such as nuthatches and woodpeckers. Nectar will attract hummingbirds and orioles. Don't forget to provide them with a bird bath.
Now that you have spent all that precious energy working on the visual beauty of your garden, adding various flowers, furniture, maybe an arbor, how about some soothing sounds? Running water gently trickling over rocks or out of a fountain and a set of elegant and lacquered bamboo wind chimes completes your quiet, peaceful, stress free sanctuary for you to relax.
