Ever wished your backyard could feel like a resort?
Fact: most backyards are wasted space. Brown grass here and there. A few chairs. A grill that rusts every summer. …. Really that’s it. Your backyard can be your property’s most relaxing area.
Here’s the good news:
Designing your own personal oasis doesn’t have to be complicated. New data reveals that quiet retreats or reading nooks are included in 53% of outdoor renovations. Outdoor entertaining spaces are no longer just about patios for entertaining guests. People are craving spaces they can escape to and relax.
Here’s what’s covered:
- Why Backyard Retreats Are Trending
- The Case For A Hot Tub For Sore Muscles
- Zoning Your Outdoor Space
- Privacy, Lighting & Landscaping
Why Backyard Retreats Are Trending
Backyards are trending. Homeowners are investing more time and money into their outdoor spaces than ever before. Why? Because a well designed backyard can provide both relaxation and long term value.
An overall landscape upgrade recoups 100 percent of the $9,000 average expenditure, the NAR reports. That adds dollar for dollar to your equity when it’s time to move.
Here’s the bottom line: A backyard getaway is no longer a luxury. It’s one of the best investments you can make in your home. Why? Because the everyday advantages pay off long before resale value.
There’s another reason backyard retreats are booming in popularity. Homeowners are stressed out. Long work days, countless hours in front of screens and constant notifications are making people crave a place to unplug. A designated backyard getaway allows you to escape without ever leaving your property. No hotel reservations. No suitcase. Just step outside and relax.
The Case For A Hot Tub For Sore Muscles
Add a hot tub to your backyard and instantly transform it into your own personal oasis. There’s nothing like relaxing in hot water after a long day.
Here’s why a hot tub belongs in a backyard retreat:
There’s some pretty convincing science behind soaking sore muscles in a hot tub. Heat helps increase circulation, relaxes stiff muscles and aids in eliminating metabolic waste accumulated during activity. It’s essentially like receiving a deep tissue massage… only you’re lounging under the stars while it happens.
Whether it’s frequent gym sessions, persistent backaches, or just feeling worn down from life’s daily stresses, soaking in a hot bath for 15-20 minutes at about 100-102° F is great for relieving muscles. That’s the temperature that studies show benefits muscles after exercise.
Location placement is also important. Somewhere secluded with a view of the yard – not necessarily right outside the back door. Throw in some privacy screens, a few plants and some ambient lighting and you’ve got yourself a legit getaway. If setting this up sounds like a headache, a good hot tub dealer in Las Vegas can walk you through the right size, jet configuration and shell for the space. This is particularly beneficial if you have a small yard and are limited on square footage.
Zoning Your Outdoor Space
The biggest mistake most people make? Treating the backyard as one big open area.
Don’t do that. Zone it instead. Each zone should serve a function. This adds interest and will make your space feel infinitely larger.
A great retreat usually has these zones:
- A lounging or seating area
- A dining or eating spot
- A quiet corner for reading or relaxing
- A wellness area (like the hot tub or a plunge pool)
Zones don’t have to be grand in size. A small area of gravel populated by two chairs and a side table creates a reading zone. A pergola furnished with a couple of loungers becomes a shaded lounging zone. Spaces are simply creating a distinct place for each activity.
After you section your zones off, link them together by walking stones or a crushed rock path. It helps create a more natural flow to your yard and entices you to walk through your different zones throughout the day. It also prevents your yard from becoming one huge hunk of cement.
Also consider how you will use each zone at different times of the day. Your breakfast patio may be in the morning sun. That corner bench may be in the shade during lazy afternoons. Your hot tub area should be in a more protected spot away from winds and neighbors. Little details like this are what make a nice backyard awesome.
Privacy, Lighting & Landscaping
An outdoor escape should feel private. Without privacy you won’t feel like you’re getting away no matter how nice the furniture is.
Here are a few easy ways to add privacy:
- Tall hedges or bamboo along the fence line
- Slatted wood screens for a modern look
- Outdoor curtains hung from a pergola
- Trellises with climbing vines
By layering all of these things together you achieve a natural wall that isolates you from your neighbours and street noise without feeling claustrophobic.
Lighting is the next frontier. Good lighting can turn an ordinary yard into something enchanting at night. Avoid glaring floodlights. Warm, low level lighting that pools in areas is the way to go. String lights, path lights and lanterns all mix well together. Light the zones – try not to light up your entire yard all at once.
Landscaping is the final touch. Almost 73% of homeowners are opting for low maintenance plants. It’s a wise decision for your getaway, because who wants to spend their weekend weeding and mowing instead of relaxing in your new space.
Select a variety of evergreens for year round form and some flowering plants for colour. Native and pollinator-friendly plants are an excellent choice as they usually require less watering and maintenance.
Bringing It All Together
Creating a backyard you can escape to doesn’t have to be expensive. Simply make it purposeful.
A quick recap:
- Break the yard into purposeful zones
- Add a hot tub for muscle recovery and relaxation
- Layer privacy screens and greenery to block out the outside world
- Use warm, soft lighting to set the mood after dark
- Pick low maintenance plants and materials
Retreat masterpieces don’t appear overnight. Do one zone at a time. Perfect it. Then move onto the next zone. Slowly that run-of-the-mill backyard will become your favourite room in the house.
And here’s the best part about that: A good retreat pays dividends every day. Achy muscles recover. Stress evaporates. And there’s finally somewhere appropriate to disconnect.
Now grab a coffee, walk out into the yard, and start planning!