There’s nothing worse than looking at your backyard and thinking it’s plain and boring. After all, it’s your home so you should be enjoying it to the fullest! During the warm summer months, you want your backyard to be a private oasis where you can relax and unwind whenever you want. Weekend projects? Let them wait. You deserve the time off!
To help you create the backyard space you’ve always dreamed about, we’re looking at how to design a backyard oasis. Read on, and be inspired to create the yard of your dreams!
Creating a Backyard Oasis
Is your backyard not the welcoming space you envision after a long week? Now is the perfect time to change all that and fall back in love with your home all over again. The first step in learning how to design a backyard oasis is creating a plan. Too often the benefits of a landscape design planner are overlooked, leading to DIY landscape design that hurts curb appeal in the front and leaves your backyard lacking. Who wants to spend time and effort only to have the result fall flat? Not us!
Once you’ve put together your dream designs and budget, it’s time to call in the pros. Professional landscaping services (like us 👋) will take your ideas and turn them into a reality. Another of the biggest benefits of using landscaping services in Upstate NY is that we’ll be able to help you choose the right plants that thrive in the region and only require the maintenance level you’re looking for. After all, how can you enjoy your private happy place if you’re having to work to maintain it all the time?
With that said, let’s dive into how to design a backyard oasis you love! Some of our favorite ideas are:
- Landscape privacy ideas for an intimate, secluded feel
- Backyard water features for a calming environment
- Flower garden ideas
- Backyard trees for shade and relaxation
- Outdoor kitchen and eating areas
- Patio landscaping ideas
Landscape Privacy Ideas for a Backyard Oasis
Even if you’re friendly with your neighbors, learning how to design a backyard oasis to enjoy can be a gamechanger. Landscape privacy ideas create a more intimate feeling to enjoy when you want a quiet space to escape to without having to leave the comfort of home. These privacy ideas also create a more secluded feel whether you’re relaxing solo, having a small gathering with a few close friends, or wanting backyard makeover ideas for occasionally hosting parties for summer entertaining!
Some of our favorite landscape privacy ideas are:
- Adding hedges and other plants for a secluded feel
- Planting backyard trees for privacy
- Using a vertical garden landscape
- Including privacy screens with landscaping
- Installing a water feature
Backyard Water Features for a Calming Environment
Speaking of water features, they’re next on our list as we explore how to design a backyard oasis you love. Not only do water features add value to a home (which makes them great landscaping tips for selling your home if you choose to), but there are different types of water features to fit almost any size space and budget.
Beyond the value added, water features also provide a calming, zen space to relax without requiring a ton of upkeep. In fact, maintaining a water feature after installation can take as few as a few minutes each week to clear any debris and check water levels for optimal operation. There are other benefits to take into account into like the potential for a positive impact on your health, helping keep your backyard cool during the hot Upstate NY summer, reducing noise pollution, and being eco-friendly, it’s easy to see why everyone loves a water feature!
In Case You Didn’t Know: NVS Waterscapes, a division of NVS Landscapes, will build you the water feature installation of your dreams. From pondless waterfalls to beautiful fountains, our team knows how to design a backyard oasis you will love!
Flower Garden Ideas for Your Backyard Oasis
Next up as we continue to explore how to design a backyard oasis, we’re looking at backyard flower garden ideas. Having a well-planned backyard flower garden is one of the ways landscape design can transform your backyard into the space you’ve always wanted. Learning how to design a backyard oasis and bring out the dreamy qualities of a lush flower garden involves more than simply picking out plants at the local nursery or garden center, however. Some factors that will affect your flower garden include how much sun your backyard gets, which plants will thrive in the Capital Region, and how much maintenance you’re looking to do.
It’s also worth noting that just because you’re learning how to design a backyard oasis doesn’t mean it has to be overloaded. Minimalist landscaping ideas are some of the latest landscaping trends for homeowners whose idea of relaxation doesn’t include a lot of upkeep!
Backyard Trees for Shade and Relaxation
In addition to flower garden ideas as part of how to design a backyard oasis, don’t forget about trees. Choosing the best trees to plant in Upstate NY can provide lots of additional shade and landscaping ideas to transform your backyard space. For example, the emerald arborvitae, a type of white cedar, has a unique green color to them and grows approximately 3 to 4 feet wide. This helps them protect your privacy without taking over your yard! Other trees like the Spartan juniper are resistant to pests, making them low maintenance options that add to backyard privacy (perfect when learning how to design a backyard oasis, right?).
Beyond how backyard trees provide shade and keep the area cooler, they also provide other opportunities for how to design a backyard oasis like options for landscaping around trees and adding relaxing elements like a hammock or small seating area!
Outdoor Kitchen and Eating Areas
Part of how to design a backyard oasis you love is making sure it meets all your needs. Homeowners today are seeing the benefits of creating indoor/outdoor living areas with elements like outdoor kitchen designs and eating areas. These spaces not only add functionality to your backyard space, but give you the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors with al fresco dining options.
Patio Landscaping Ideas
Last up as we explore how to design a backyard oasis, let’s talk about patio installation ideas. A new patio gives homeowners the perfect spot for relaxing solo or entertaining guests. Adding elements to patio landscape design ideas like backyard water features, lighting to create a vibe, or outdoor fire pit ideas for relaxing into the night and you’ve got all the makings of a super relaxing spot!
As you’ve seen, learning how to design a backyard oasis you love is all about thinking of how you want to use the space and what you enjoy. You deserve to fall in love with your home all over again! When you’re ready to get started, contact us and let the best landscaping professionals in Albany, Colonie, Saratoga, Schenectady, and the surrounding areas bring your vision to life.
Looking for more backyard landscaping inspiration? Check out these resources:
- How to Landscape Around a Tree With Exposed Roots
- Ideas for Landscaping Along a Fence Line
- Easy Landscaping Ideas If You’re in a Time Crunch
- 9 Landscaping Tips for New Homeowners 🏡
