Outdoor Design Choices To Reduce Stress

Spending time outdoors is quite relaxing, but only under the right circumstances. Bland design choices and a cluttered garden can make this quite difficult. That’s why we put together a list of the best outdoor design choices to reduce stress. 

Set up some vibrant LED lights throughout your garden and control the color temperature with your phone to create a calming mood. Ponds and fountains can also reduce stress because moving water is quite relaxing. It’s also worth installing an outdoor fireplace or fire pit to enjoy some stress-free outdoor conversations. 

Everyone is different, so don’t hesitate to get creative and choose unconventional outdoor design choices. Follow along as we highlight seven outdoor design choices to reduce stress. 

Seven Relaxing Garden Ideas

1. Introduce Water

Does the sound of running water help you relax? If so, you’re not alone, and that’s why so many people put fountains in their yards and gardens. Fountains and ponds can work wonders to help you relax and enjoy a nice escape without leaving home. 

Fountains and bubbling rocks make it easy to enjoy natural elements in your yard. They’re relatively affordable, easy to install, and come in many varieties. Putting a pond in your yard is a bigger commitment, but it’s worth the effort.

However, you must be careful if you plan to put fish, such as koi, in your backyard pond. Excessive plants, overcrowded fish, and overfeeding can ruin your koi pond. You can’t go wrong with a simple fountain if a koi pond seems like too big of a commitment. 

2. Install A Fireplace Or Fire Pit

Sitting around a fire is relaxing, whether you’re in your home or your yard. Outdoor fireplaces are nothing new, but they have gotten better and better with time. That’s especially true if your outdoor fireplace is surrounded by a serene, well-lit garden. 

Natural stone fireplaces are especially enticing, as they can make your yard feel as organic as possible. They are expensive, but the weather resistance and durability that natural stone offers are hard to beat. However, you can’t go wrong with a steel or brick outdoor fireplace. 

Brick fireplaces look better than steel fireplaces, but steel is low-maintenance and durable. Installing an outdoor fireplace costs between $1,200 and $20,000 or more. However, fire pits have the same benefits and typically cost thousands of dollars less to install. 

3. Go Vertical

Many people think of their landscaping with a horizontal mindset, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, you can unlock your yard and garden’s potential if you take advantage of the vertical space. For example, you can easily buy or build a trellis and grow ivy or tomatoes on it. 

You can also get creative and set up tiered raised garden beds that get taller as they ascend. It’s also worth investing in hanging baskets. Ferns, petunias, and geraniums are among the best hanging basket plants to put in your yard. 

Verticality can help you make the most of the space in your yard and garden. Don’t hesitate to buy tall statues and decorations as well. Vertical plants, planters, and decorations can help make your yard feel like a layered oasis. 

4. Get Creative With Lighting

Lighting can make a difference in how you feel, whether you’re inside or outside. Today, you have more choices than ever thanks to LED lights and Bluetooth technology. Now, you can install lights that you can control with your phone and change the color.

You can even change how warm or cool a particular color is in many cases. That alone gives you the freedom to change the mood in your outdoor space in little time. Cool greens and blues can instill calm while warm reds and oranges can make you feel passionate and happy. 

Naturally, everyone responds uniquely to different colors and color temperatures. Look for LED lights that you can connect to your phone if you want the most freedom. They are cheap, easy to use, and can transform your outdoor space into a serene getaway. 

5. Prioritize Comfort

There’s no need to feel obligated to get the most expensive, fanciest outdoor furniture. After all, your yard is supposed to be your comfortable oasis. Instead, focus on furniture that complements your outdoor space and makes you feel comfortable. 

There’s no need to spend a fortune on outdoor furniture either. Today, you can easily find cheap outdoor furniture online and at secondhand stores. Facebook Marketplace is a great option if you want to save money on outdoor furniture. 

It’s a great idea to look for waterproof or water-resistant furniture. Many people also keep small bins to store their cushions during the rain and snow. The sky is the limit when it comes to furnishing your zen garden. 

6. Get Creative With Your Plants

Plants can contribute more to your relaxing outdoor oasis than almost anything else. After all, plants are natural and have made people feel at ease for centuries. This is where you get to let your personality and creativity shine through the most. 

There is no shortage of calming plants, like lavender, chamomile, sunflowers, pansies, ferns, and mums. That is subjective, however, so you must think about which plants make you feel most at ease. You can go wild and choose color schemes that you find most interesting. 

However, you’ll only continually feel calm if you regularly prune them and keep everything organized. Make it a point to regularly pull weeds, mow your lawn, and prune your plants when you find dead flower heads. Otherwise, your serene garden will become a cluttered mess in no time. 

7. Improve Privacy

It’s hard to relax in your yard if you feel the presence of prying eyes. You can avoid this problem if you insulate your backyard with effective privacy barriers. For example, you can plant hedges to create a natural curtain around your yard. 

Otherwise, you can install a visually appealing fence around your yard. Some people grow creeping plants on their fences to make them look more natural. That’s a great idea if you want everything to seem organic. 

Summing It Up

Install a fountain or pond in your backyard to enjoy the sound of moving water. You can also create a comfortable oasis if you install a trellis and hang plants in baskets to boost verticality. Warm lighting, comfortable furniture, and vibrant plants can create a calming garden atmosphere. 

Related Guides:

• Do You Need A Permit To Build A Pond In Your Backyard?
• Do You Need A Permit For Landscaping? (Find Out Now!)