The weather is warm and the days are long, and if you have an outdoor living space or garden area, there is no better time than now to get outside and enjoy it.
But you will only be able to enjoy it if it is a peaceful, stress-free, and relaxing garden area. So, how do you make an outdoor sanctuary a reality?
Read on for our top 7 tips to turn your drab, disorganized, dreary outdoor space into a harmonious haven that you will want to spend every spare moment in.
First Step to a Relaxing Garden: Declutter Your Space
Anytime you’re organizing or redesigning any space, the first thing you’ll want to do is declutter. For a garden space, this means getting rid of old tools, broken pots and planters and old furniture or children’s toys. You will also want to declutter your garden and planting beds. Mow and trim your grass, pull weeds and pull any shrubs, flowers or plants that are taking over the space.
Make a Plan
Once you’ve decluttered your space, you will be better able to come up with a design plan. Starting with a blank canvas will make it easier to envision what you want your space to look like. This is a great time to consider dividing the space into zones, such as:
- Relaxing Zone: an area in the shade of a beautiful tree or a quiet corner of the yard. Consider adding a hanging egg chair or hammock. Picture somewhere you would want to relax with your favourite book.
- Social Zone: a seating area with a speaker for playing music, comfortable chairs, an outdoor sofa, and small side tables, surrounding a propane fire table. Envision spending a fun evening chatting with your favourite people.
- Natural zone: an area with garden beds for beautiful flowers and plants. If you like to grow your own food, consider adding some raised garden beds.
Add Peace-inducing Elements
Adding items such as water features, wind chimes, soothing colours, fragrant plants, like lavender and mint, and soft lighting will add to the serenity of your garden area. These elements will bring serenity and peace by evoking your senses and allowing you to release stress.
Make it Low-Maintenance
The point of creating a relaxing, harmonious garden area is to enjoy it. Spend more time enjoying your outdoor space rather than working in it by implementing elements that make it low-maintenance, like:
- Choose the right plants: Native plants that are drought-tolerant, perennial and slow-growing will reduce the amount of time and work needed to maintain
- Simplify the design: Reduce the amount of grass in your yard, or consider replacing it with low-maintenance options such as creeping thyme or clover.
- Reduce weeds: Use landscaping fabric, mulch, or plant dense ground cover plants to suppress the weeds.
- Install irrigation: Drip irrigation, sprinklers and soaker hoses will help you maintain your yard in an efficient way. Consider adding a smart timer to ensure your plants are being watered at the optimal times.
Create an Inviting Environment for Pollinators
Planting native plants and flowers that attract wildlife, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, will bring life and beauty to your outdoor space. Lavender, white clover and forget-me-nots are just a few that suit Vancouver gardens. Lobelia, salmonberry and butterfly bush will have the hummingbirds coming around for a visit.
Incorporate Natural Elements
Incorporating natural elements into your design, such as stone footpaths, wood elements, and natural fibres like cotton, linen, and hemp, will bring a calming feeling to your outdoor space.
Minimize Noise Clutter
Depending on your area, you may have to deal with noise clutter, such as traffic or your neighbour’s air conditioning unit. To lessen the effects of disruptive noises in your outdoor space, consider using fencing or shrubbery to help drown out the noise. Keep in mind, if you’re going to use shrubs or trees, make sure you’re using native plants that are easy to maintain. Cedars are a great option, as they are relatively fast-growing, pest and disease-resistant, and provide you with added privacy.
Incorporating these tips into the design of your garden space will result in a harmonious, peaceful garden area that you will be able to enjoy for years to come.
Feeling overwhelmed or don’t know where to start? Our team of professional home organizers are here to help you create a relaxing outdoor space.
We offer free phone or video call consultations, or a 30-minute in-person consultation for $50+tax.
Alternatively, you can send us videos of the areas you need help with via WhatsApp at 604-446-3939, and we would be happy to provide you with an estimate. Contact us today.
