Andrew Lemieux
Most people like to spend time in their backyards, whether gardening, talking with friends around a BBQ, hanging out on a patio or deck, or just sitting quietly by themselves, taking in nature.
Some people take the “hanging out” part of the experience to a different level and create a retreat for themselves.
If you fall into that category, here are some tips to help you create the perfect backyard place that will relax you and help you refocus.
Convenience and setting should be the determining factor for your retreat’s placement. You want to be able to go inside or visit your retreat easily, but you also want it to be a place of respite.
You do not want to put your retreat in the pathway of your kids getting to a play area or so far out you need a guide and pack horse to get to your oasis.
Your layout does not have to follow a detailed architecture plan. However, a structured format can help you with your setup. At least, it can help you with sizing, furniture, features, materials, and supplies.
Finally, ensure your retreat reflects your tastes or at least the taste of those who use it.
If lounge chairs and a fire pit are your things, incorporate that into the overall scheme of your retreat. If you are designing a garden retreat, benches, an arbor, and shrubbery to create privacy makes sense.
You want your space to be a natural extension of you and the state of mind you want to achieve.
The great thing about a backyard oasis is that the limit is your imagination. The key is to have a general plan that meshes with the ideas presented here. Do that, and your oasis will be a space you want to visit whenever you can.
Your layout and placement drive the furniture, tools, equipment, and features you include in your oasis. Furniture should be functional but also comfortable. The goal is to provide an easy, simple way to kick back and unwind. For example, a garden-focused retreat might include a bench and a small shed to store tools. If your oasis is a place to watch a game and have a few drinks, you might want to include a couch, a table, and chairs
The mood you set for your retreat depends entirely on how you will use it. Focus on ensuring that the accent or general mood reflects the purpose of your oasis. For a multi-purpose oasis, create clear lines of separation between the designated areas.
For example, a space for cooking out should complement but be separate from areas to sit and relax.
