The only thing better than relaxing indoors on a beautiful sunny day is to do all that outside, surrounded by nature. But first you must make your outdoor look and feel inviting, relaxing and pleasant not just for you but also for your guests and anyone who might want to join you.
Create a relaxing outdoor area to provide a place to retreat to. Here are ten great tips to achieve that relaxing feel in your backyard.
CLEAR THE CLUTTER
Starting with as clean or bare of a slate as possible, assess your yard for elements it needs to make it a place you want to get away to; a refuge for kicking back and relaxing or enjoying the things you love, like swimming, working out, or eating with friends and family.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE VIEW
If you are lucky enough to live in a home with a view, don’t be shy about creating a space from which to enjoy the scenery. When designing for a view, don’t block the view with trees and hedges.
COMFORTABLE SEATING
If the seating is comfortable, you’re more likely to kick back and spend some time outside, rather than sit down, say, at a patio dining table, eat a grilled burger, then go back inside. How about adding a hammock for some serious relaxation?
ADD WATER FEATURES
For centuries, cultures around the world have used flowing water in sacred spaces for its calming effects. A small pond, a fountain, a swimming pool or hot tub can give your backyard a spa-like feel.
MAKE A COZY DINING SPOT
Food somehow tastes better if you take it outside to enjoy it. So get a table, some chairs and organize a cozy dining spot. It can be in the garden, on the patio on anywhere you think you can get enough privacy as well as some lovely views.
LIGHT UP THE NIGHT
When the sun goes down, you don’t need to go indoors. No matter what your style, there are all kinds of varieties of outdoor lighting options that can be added to your landscape.
ADD SOME SHADES
Sure, an umbrella provides much-needed shade. But the sight of one conjures up images of a vacation at a resort, on a sandy shore or next to a pool.
THE RIGHT LANDSCAPING
Not just any landscaping, however. Carefully planned and selected plants that look natural in their setting can really set a theme or mood, even transport you to a favorite vacation spot.
CREATE PRIVACY
Privacy is an integral part of a relaxing outdoor room. Dividing and secluding the area with carefully placed screens, walls or fences of suitable height will give your space a sense of mystery and surprise as you move throughout the landscape.
ADD FIRE
What can be more relaxing than talking with friends or family next to a fire, or cuddling with a partner as you stare at the flames? With so many portable fire pit models available at reasonable prices, it’s easy to create a sitting area around a pit.
Think of your patio or backyard as an extension of your indoor spaces, rather than areas completely separate from your home. By keeping the above list in mind, you’ll always have a retreat available to you, simply step outside!
Read Also: TRADITIONAL INDIAN FEATURES THAT SUITABLE IN MODERN HOMES
