Escaping the hustle and bustle of modern life is an essential for most of us in today’s society, and many turn to their gardens or green spaces as an area where they can relax, unwind, contemplate, and forget about the trials and tribulations of work, family and relationships.

In fact, research indicates that spending time in green spaces can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression, help improve our mood, and increase our overall life satisfaction. Studies have also shown that green spaces can help to reduce stress, enhance cognitive function, and promote overall psychological wellbeing too, in fact, simply looking at greenery has been shown to improve mental health! 

Here, we help you turn your garden into calming sanctuary for the mind, body and soul.

Colour Combos

Keeping it simple is key in creating an oasis of tranquillity and peace – too much ‘colour noise’ can mean our minds are busy, so limit your garden colour choices to a few shades that go well together. Obviously, greenery is a must for that feeling of being surrounded by nature (think lawns, hedges and green flowering shrubs), but we also recommend an accent colour or two. White is a good choice as it instils thoughts of calm and purity, but other good colours are blue and purple (salvia, hydrangea, lavender) which are colours known to promote relaxation. Not to mention that the scent of lavender is renowned for its soothing effects.

Clean Lines

When planning what furniture or ornamental structures to incorporate, again work with the concept that ‘less is more.’ Clean lines and uncluttered layouts help to settle the mind, and neutral colours, again, will work well for cushion covers.

Bask in nature by incorporating natural wood wherever possible for benches, tables, raised beds or planters. These can evoke visions of being surrounded by the natural and beautiful world we live in, but remember to treat the wood with a good clear varnish or wax if it is to remain outside exposed to the elements.

Just Add Water…

The very sound of a babbling brook can help the mind drift away and promote relaxation and there is something truly magical about adding a water feature to a garden. With such a wide range of water fountains, features and ponds to choose from, it’s easy to add tranquillity to your exterior at the touch of a button.

If you opt for a pond, this will inevitably bring in additional wildlife too, adding yet another dimension to your haven of paradise.

A Sense of Enclosure

Being exposed to the world is hardly relaxing, therefore if your garden doesn’t benefit from privacy, why not create a private area? Being enclosed is a natural instinct which helps us to feel safe and protected, and there are many inexpensive ways to recreate this feeling.

Fences are the quickest structure to install, and can easily be smothered in green climbers to add greenery. If you’re overlooked by neighbours, consider trellis or growing trees and hedges (which also have the added bonus of trapping noise and decreasing pollution too).

Finding peace in your garden is easy to achieve and can be a real pleasure both to plan and to enjoy afterwards. If you want a little help or inspiration, contact us here at Andi Way Garden Design and we’ll help you create your own oasis of calm.