If you are thinking about updating your garden so that you have a place where you can relax and unwind then you have come to the right place. We will provide you with some tips and ideas on how to create a calm garden which will become a serene space for you to relax in whilst at home.
To Begin With…
Before you do anything, you need to consider your budget and the space that you have in order to create a garden which will work for you:
- The Terrain
What is you space like? Is it hilly? Does it have a slope? Is it flat? Is it largely soil or grass? You need to consider these aspects so that you can work with them in order to create a place of serenity.
- Size
An important aspect is the size of space that you have. If you don’t live alone then you need to factor in which part of the garden you will use to create your serene space. How will you separate this from the rest of the garden? You could use fences, benches, plants etc.
- The View
Take a look at the view you have from your garden. How will you incorporate this into your design? If you have a nice view such as a set of trees you may want to leave the view as it is. If, however you don’t have much of a view then you could add a bamboo fence to hide the view i.e. if you can see your next-door neighbours dustbins or a row of garden sheds this is a view that’s distracting and far from serene.
Inspiration from Around the World
An aspect that you need to think about is how to create a place where you can feel relaxed and rest in with seclusion. You need to think of your garden as an extension of your home. You want to create a room outdoors which evokes feeling of peace and comfort and not a room which conjures up the opposite image e.g. a room which is messy cluttered and has
carpet water damage or ripped wallpaper. To create this idealistic outdoor room, it is worth taking inspiration from gardens from around the world. For example:
- Chinese Gardens
A Chinese garden could include a pagoda, a pond and small bridges as well as pathways and trees that hang over.
- Japanese Gardens
Japanese gardens tend to be minimalistic in terms of their geometry. You could consider adding Japanese maple or cherry blossom trees and aspects related to Zen philosophy. Finally, think about patterns which include sand or small gravel.
- North American Gardens
This kind of garden would include lots of wooden aspects such as oak, birch and fir trees which produce a multitude of colours in the Autumn season. You’d also need to add lots of aspects which suit birds for feeding such as plants and stands.
The Surfaces
A very important aspect of this type of garden is the surfaces. You need to create surfaces that you can relax in, walk on, lie in and sit on where you are comfortable. The things to consider are:
- Soft Surfaces: You need to create these from grass or lawn. If you have the time then use growing grass. If on the other hand time is of the essence you may need an instant lawn laying down instead. Always remember to factor in lawn maintenance as part of the general upkeep of your serene space in the long run.
- Mosaic: if you are looking to splash out and have the time on your hands then mosaics can be a wonderful feature in a garden. Mosaics are a great way of adding a personal touch as you can create a pattern that appeals or means something to you.
- Other Options: if you want to go for different kinds of surfaces then you could
consider brick, pebbles stones, gravel, slate, garden bark or wood.
Features
In order to make your garden a serene space you need to consider adding items which will enhance this feeling. Some examples are:
- Water Features
We all know that water brings calm and helps us to feel relaxed regardless of whether the water is still or whether it is moving. In order to add a water related element to your garden you could consider a fountain, a pond, a water bowl or a feature which trickles water.
- Statues
When it comes to choosing a statue, you need to choose something that creates a sense of serenity and space to you for example a statue of Buddha. This only works however if you take something from the statue that you choose and it does create a feeling of relaxation for you.
- Blank Spaces
These are areas in your garden that are empty and don’t need to have anything in them and therefore are naturally relaxing.
Plants
If you pick the right plants you will create an outside space which becomes that serene retreat that you are looking for. if you’re not green fingered then you may need to seek some advice of an expert in this area. We will however provide you with a few ideas to think about. For instance, whether you chose to pick plants that would suit an English cottage or you prefer to go for a minimalistic look, you have to pick the plants that make you feel comfortable and relaxed. Consider plants which are tropical or even native, herbal, scented or flower. Think about the shapes, patterns and lines that the plants make and the colours that they create.
Once you have factored in all of these elements in to your new space, you will soon begin to see it take shape and you will be left with that serene space in your home that you can head to at the end of a long, hard day to relax and unwind.