Always Wanted to Create Your Zen Garden? Here’s How to Do It

Do you often want to spend your free time outside and enjoy the fresh air and the sun while meditating, just like all those fitness and health gurus on Instagram? Of course, you do. But does your outdoor space spark relaxation, peace and mindfulness? Not really. Well, you can fix that issue with just a few affordable yet effective backyard remodel ideas that will not only make your backyard more presentable but also safer, more practical, more valuable for potential future buyers, and most importantly, more Zen. Here’s how you can remodel your backyard and create a small oasis of peace just for you and your family:

Add a tree bench

If you have an impressive tree in your garden, you’re truly in luck. This piece of greenery will provide you with shade, give you plenty of oxygen and treat you to relaxing rustling and aromatic smells. To make your tree an even more significant part of your backyard, you can surround the trunk with a circular bench. This is a super easy DIY project you can pull off in just one afternoon using pallets, a few nails and some protective paint. These materials will allow you to construct a gorgeous outdoor reading spot, contemplation seat or a romantic lovers’ nest.

Construct a trellis

If you have zones in your backyard that need dividing, or maybe you just want to add some old-school charm to your space, why not construct a trellis? You can either buy a trellis in your local garden center or make one yourself with wooden boards. Soon, your trellis will be overgrown with vining plants, climbing roses or vertical-growing veggies, and represent a perfect portal between this world and the world of relaxation, nature and peace.

Boost usability with patio pavers

If you want to be able to use your Zen garden all through the year with great comfort and safety, then it’s necessary to boost your patio area. Even the greenest backyards of Florida can use a small paved part of the yard that will hold your meditation shrine, cozy seating and make your space usable all year round.

Hiring pros for this job is best because you want your patio to be perfectly leveled. Experts in patio installation in Coral Gables can handle even the most demanding of yards and create an attractive patio that will withstand the test of time and the harsh Floridian weather. Your patio will be a low-cost and zero-maintenance extension of your indoor space that also boosts the value of your garden.

Boost shade

If you lack tall greenery or any human-made cover in your garden, adding shade to your patio with easy-to-install shade sails is crucial. These always look elegant and playful and are affordable and adjustable for any backyard. Shade sails also allow plenty of natural light and ventilation while blocking heat and UV radiation. No matter if you want to cover only one portion of your patio or go all-in and shade the entire paved area, shade sails will be there to create a perfectly comfortable meditation, yoga and relaxation space.

Add a water element

If you often need some help with meditation, mindfulness and relaxation, add a bubbling water element to your Zen garden. Mixing water with the earth is a great way to achieve balance in your space, but also provide white noise and meditative views to your meditations. And don’t think you have to go big with cascading waterfalls and caves—a small backyard fountain or a small reflection pool are all you might need for your Zen renovation.

Surround yourself with greenery

Most Zen gardens try to incorporate as many natural elements as possible, which is why you need to consider some landscaping. If you live somewhere tropical like Florida, you can get away with gorgeous plants of all sizes and watch their growth and take care of their needs quickly. However, dryer climates like California’s might benefit from xeriscaping. This landscaping technique focuses on minimal maintenance and uses drought-resistant plants and features to save water. You can still take good care of your oasis with regular pruning, stone raking and sand shaping—just like any Zen garden.

These ideas will help spark your creativity and inspire you to create a charming Zen garden in your space. Of course, you can let your imagination lead your design, but if you keep these ideas in your mind, you’ll create an area full of peace, mindfulness and relaxation right outside your back door.