Creating a Garden Oasis: Turning Your Outdoor Space into a Relaxing Retreat

How Can A Calm Garden Help Your Mindset?

There are two ways that creating a relaxing garden can boost your mental health. The first is through the act of gardening itself. Just a few hours of digging up soil and planting bulbs can provide an instant reduction of depression and anxiety, helping you feel calmer.

The second boost comes from spending more time outdoors, which should apply whilst you’re creating your garden and once it’s finished, too. There’s no doubt that a neat garden is more appealing to relax in! Spending more time outdoors can improve your mental health in a number of ways, including:

• Boosting your mood
• Reducing depression and anxiety
• Improving your sleep
• Enhancing sensory perception

A garden specifically designed to enhance relaxation is a smart move for your mindset. You’ll be creating a space that clears your head and gives you space to breathe and rest, which is essential in the modern world.
 

How To Create A Garden Oasis

Whether you’re sold by the mental health benefits or just want a space you can chill out in, we’ve put together some garden ideas to create your outdoor haven.

Give Yourself Some Privacy

An oasis provides a space where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the world. The last thing you want is prying eyes watching you unwind. If you haven’t already, ensure your garden is hidden away from surrounding roads or paths, using hedges, trees, and fences to create a space that’s entirely your own. If you have neighbours on either side who can see in, add a pergola to create a sheltered, private area that you can lounge under knowing you’re entirely hidden.

Create Smaller Sections

To create a haven-like garden, we’d recommend splitting a larger space into smaller areas. If you have a big patch of land, corner off areas with hedges, flower beds or planters containing box plants, creating clear seating areas or vegetable gardens. This brings order to your space and adds plenty of aesthetic appeal, helping you make the most of your oasis.

Use Natural Materials

Natural materials enhance the feeling of being amongst nature, which is essential to relax your mind. To optimise natural materials, choose wood for your garden furniture, and for textiles, opt for linens and cotton in natural tones, and stick to patterns that are inspired by the natural world.

Add Plenty Of Plant Life

It’s well known that plant life can ease stress and boost your well-being. A bare concrete garden, on the other hand, probably won’t do much for your mind. Be sure to fill your outdoor space with plenty of plant life, including a grass lawn if possible, lots of flora, shrubs, and trees. Enhance your relaxation with flowers like chamomile and lavender, which are known to induce feelings of calm.

Include A Water Feature Or Pond

For some, the sound of water is one of the most peaceful noises there is. Consider investing in a flowing water feature to bring tranquillity to your outdoor haven. Still water can add a sense of calm and peace to a garden, too, with a small pond making a wonderful addition.

Create a Comfortable Seating Area

Turning your garden into a relaxing retreat means ditching any uncomfortable furniture! There’s no scratchy metal or splintering wood in your outdoor haven. Instead, create a seating area that’s focused on comfort, with armchairs, hammocks, and sofas to sink into. A dining chair or small coffee table are wise choices, too, providing you with a beautiful place to eat and unwind in the great outdoors.

Include Outdoor Lighting

When the sun dips below the horizon and dusk turns to darkness, ensure your garden is illuminated. A relaxing oasis doesn’t end with the arrival of night, after all! We recommend focusing on orange or yellow light, which is far cosier than white lights and won’t make your space uncomfortably bright. Fairly lights, small lamps, and spotlights create a fairytale feel that’s bound to calm you after a busy day. You can even add a warm glow with an outdoor fire pit.

Encouraging Wildlife

There’s nothing more relaxing than watching a bird pluck at seeds or a butterfly fluttering in the sky. If you enjoy wildlife, be sure to create a garden that entices it. Bird and squirrel feeders, bee-friendly plants, and plenty of trees for scrambling squirrels are all excellent ideas, opening up your space to all sorts of animals.

Final Words

If you’re lucky enough to own a garden, it’s well worth spending some time to create a relaxing environment you can fully enjoy. Hopefully, this article has given you plenty of inspiration to get started! Be sure to discover more garden furniture ideas by browsing through our ranges, and design an outdoor space that you can call an oasis.