It’s always nice to getaway to enjoy some peace and quiet, but what if you could create your very own” getaway spot” located right out your back door? With the right design elements, you can easily create a home that has the look and feel of your ideal vacation spot, which you can access anytime minus the long car or plane trip.

To help you design the perfect backyard oasis you, your family, and friends can enjoy, we put together this guide on which design elements can help you achieve your ideal backyard design.

 

Why Design Matters

The very first thing you need to consider is the outdoor space you have to work with and how you would like to use your outdoor space. If you have a large backyard area to work with, design experts suggest that you can create different areas for different purposes. For example, you could have different flower bed arrangements, water fountains, a covered patio area, beautiful stonework. a garden shed area, and possibly even a pool or hot tub area.

If you have a smaller space to work with, it is often better to stick with one design theme. One way many people with small outdoor spaces prefer to design their backyard is by creating a patio area that is perfect for socialising, reading, relaxing, or haviing a BBQ. No matter the backyard space you have to work with, design is an essential part (and the first step) when it comes to designing your very own “staycation” spot.

 

Patio Flooring

If your backyard area is going to have a patio area, you will want to consider flooring that will not only last but is also easy to maintain. Design experts advise that either timber or pavers are excellent low maintenance patio floor options that will last for years to come.

The key to low maintenance timber is by making sure the timber is stained and sealed to provide protection against different weather conditions. For pavers, as long as a sealer has been applied, your patio floor pavers should remain relatively low maintenance as well, which is important for helping you enjoy your outdoor space as hassle-free as possible.

 

 

Furniture & Décor

When it comes to your outdoor furniture and décor, the only rules that apply here are the ones that determine your personal style preference. Depending on your personal style, you could easily make your backyard patio area a truly unique extension of your home. Some home owners prefer to extend the same design theme from the inside of their home and out into their backyard, while others prefer something completely different to really give them the sense of getting away from it all by stepping into a completely different environment.

Some additional design tips you may want to consider; which may or may not work depending on the outdoor space you have to work with, make sure you include ample seating so you can accommodate your guests. One suggestion to help achieve this can be to utilize any window/wall areas and run benches along the wall and under your windows (if possible). You can also try setting up a table area that can seat large amounts of people and for smaller spaces, try finding an extendable table for occasions when you may have a family get together or backyard party.

While most of us prefer to buy matching décor, don’t be afraid to mix things up a little by adding some unique pieces and/or bright colors to give your outdoor space a more eclectic feel. Consider the weather conditions where you live and whether or not your outdoor patio area will be fully or partially covered. Keeping this in mind will help you find the right outdoor décor to suit both your style and the outdoor conditions of where you live.

If you’re stuck for ideas, consider buying matching wicker furniture, timber tables, and tables with black iron legs to add a contemporary style. Wicker furniture comes in many different colours and designs, so you’re bound to find something that you will absolutely love. Not to mention, wicker adds a more coastal look and feel, which will make it easier for you to temporarily escape.

 

Backyard Foliage

Do you want to use your outdoor space as a relaxing getaway where you can unwind after a long and stress day or week at the office? Or, do you want to create more work for yourself? While some people find gardening therapeutic, the end goal here should be to create a backyard space where you can relax and watch the sunset while enjoying a glass of your favorite vino.

In order to avoid adding daily gardening to your to-do list, consider planting low maintenance shrubs, flowers, and plants. Look for plants that require little sunlight to grow and that can be easily maintained. Naturally, most people want to add more greenery to make their backyard oasis more of a getaway instead of an extra chore, so do your research and find foliage that requires little effort to manage.

 

Lighting

Every backyard oasis needs lighting. Your backyard’s layout and design will determine what type of lighting you will end up choosing and how much of it you need. If you have lots of different flower beds and would like to highlight them at night, you can install garden lights to highlight certain plants and flowers. If you have outdoor paths, you can install solar powered lights and line them along a stone or timber path.

Depending on the size of your patio area, you may want to consider installing a unique chandelier or light fixture. If you want to create some ambience in your atmosphere, consider stringing up some vintage-looking patio lanterns. Wall sconces are great for flower beds and plants planted along the outside walls of your home. Really, the sky’s the limit when it comes to adding lighting to your backyard design.

 

Privacy & Security

To add some security and privacy to your outside space, consider installing aluminum shutters around your patio area. While they can provide a little extra security and more privacy, they can also be opened up to a pool or backyard garden area. The blades can also be adjusted to allow more airflow and natural light into enclosed spaces when needed.

Aluminum shutters can also be installed to enclose a balcony, create an extra outdoor room such as an outdoor kitchen, provide protection from the sun and rain, and can be purchased in range blade sizes, powdercoat colours and timber grain finishes, and last but not least, are an excellent way to provide your home with a more coastal look and feel.

Not only will aluminum shutters provide a more contemporary design to your home, they are also another very low maintenance feature to consider adding to your outdoor getaway spot and they are quite durable.

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Additional Design Ideas to Consider

If your space allows it, adding an outdoor stone fireplace or fire pit area will add a more relaxing and inviting feel to your backyard. Adding this feature will create a great place to cozy up with family and friends and enjoy great conversation together.

Depending on the space you have to with, additional design elements to consider adding are:

Porch swings and/or an exotic daybed, which help you create a perfectly comfortable reading and napping spot.

  • Outdoor bar counter where a kitchen window opens up to.
  • Bar stools for your bar counter.
  • Renovate rooftops and balcony areas into a mini getaway retreat.
  • A garden dining area away from the patio area for a more alfresco dining experience.
  • Outdoor kitchen area for cooking and entertaining.
  • Dark furniture for beachside properties.
  • Oversized doors to create a patio look and feel for homes with minimal backyard space.
  • Clear glass balcony panels for homes with scenic views.
  • Screened-in porch.

When it comes to your outdoor space, the sky is limit. Don’t let the size of your backyard discourage you if you have a smaller space to work with. All you need is a bit of creativity, hours on Pinterest and looking for design ideas in design magazines, and a plan. Take some measurements of your backyard area and draw up a rough plan of what you would like to do with your space and plan accordingly.  

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