Create a Tranquil and Relaxing Garden at Home

In today’s fast-paced world it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stressed a lot of the time. This makes finding a sanctuary to escape the relentless hustle and bustle more important than ever.

A naturally tranquil and relaxing garden can offer just that – a peaceful retreat from the stresses of daily life. Engaging with nature not only soothes the soul but has profound effects on our mood, stress levels, mental health, and even physical well-being. The gentle rustle of leaves, the soft hum of wildlife, the visual feast of greenery and flowers, the flowing sound of a water feature, comfy furniture, privacy screens, all work together to create an environment that can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and promote a sense of peacefulness.

But how do we go about creating that naturally tranquil garden? In this guide, we’ll explore some ideas you can use this spring and summer to create a relaxing, rejuvenating outdoor space – right in your very own garden – tailored to provide you with peace and tranquillity needed to destress and recharge.

The Healing Power of Tranquil Gardens

Before we get into it, it’s crucial to understand the profound – and proven – impact nature has on our well-being. Research in environmental psychology has consistently shown that being in nature, or even viewing scenes of nature on a screen, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Not only is it about creating something appealing; a tranquil garden will lower heart rates and cortisol levels, decreasing the ‘fight or flight’ response that’s significantly more active in society today.

So, a tranquil garden isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s an intentional design that incorporates elements scientifically proven to induce a state of calm. From visual elements like soothing greenery and calming colours to tactile experiences like the softness of grass or the gentle trickling of a water feature, each component plays a role in your garden’s symphony of tranquillity.

Isn’t that fantastic? We think so! Without further ado let’s get into different ways you can create a tranquil garden. You’ll be please to know that it’s not too difficult to do.

Selecting Your Plants for Peace

When creating a tranquil garden the plants are key. Certain plants are renowned for their calming and mood-boosting properties, chief among them are classics like lavender, jasmine, and lilac that appeal to the senses and foster a serene atmosphere.

Lavender offers both visual appeal and very pleasant relaxing fragrances. Likewise, the strong but sweet scent of jasmine turns any space into a peaceful retreat, melting the tension away. Lilac too, their sweet calming scent infuses the air around it when in bloom, while also providing vibrant colour bringing feelings of happiness and calm. Rosemary is another great choice with its thin, long attractive leaves and wonderful dainty purple-blue flowers, not to mention a fantastic aroma, which, is known to improve concentration and mood. Ferns with their lush green fronds and graceful growth patterns, evoke an essence of ancient woodland serenity, and are just perfect for adding texture and depth to the more secluded corners of your tranquil garden. The sight of their gentle sway in a soft breeze can help create a meditative, peaceful atmosphere. For sheer bursts of happiness inducing colour, chrysanthemums are a wonderful addition as they flower in an incredible range of different colours. They naturally brighten any space they’re in bringing joy, which is great for destressing our minds.

These are just some of the many wonderful plants and flowers that could be added to a tranquil garden. Whatever favourites you choose, pick ones that add colour, fragrance, and texture.

The Gentle Sound of Water

It’s almost a universal truth that the sound of water is inherently calming. Incorporating a water feature into your garden is guaranteed to significantly enhance relaxation. The way water moves whether it’s the trickle of a fountain or the flow of a waterfall affects the garden’s energy positively. The constant but varied sound of flowing water harmonises with nature’s rhythms, guiding our bustling minds to a peaceful now. You could opt for a waterfall water feature, which are easily installed and usually solar powered. Or maybe something like your own koi pond which is more than achievable with a little DIY effort – the choice is yours – but the effect will be the same: a gentle rhythm that will lull away the day’s tensions.

Solitude for the Soul

A key aspect of a relaxing garden is the feeling of seclusion. Tall trees, shrubs, and strategically placed lattice can enclose your space, creating a more intimate atmosphere that blocks out unwanted noises and any overlooking properties. A natural privacy barrier also encourages local birds to build nests, adding to the natural charm and the feeling of being concealed within your own secret garden. How lovely! If you prefer a more architectural approach to privacy, decorative fencing fence or trellis can provide a structured, year-round enclosure. There’s the further option of adding climbing plants like wisteria, clematis, or a lovely climbing rose to break up the hard lines and create a perfumed ‘room’ in the garden.

Seating to Rest and Reflect

A secluded nook is not complete without comfortable seating to enjoy it. A garden bench or chair is not just a place to rest; it’s an integral part to let your body rest, to pause and appreciate your surroundings, listen to the sounds of nature, or simply contemplate the passing of time. Where you position your seating area is important. If space permits, consider multiple seating areas at different vantage points, each offering a unique view of the garden, even in a spot visible from the house to draw you out. Be thoughtful about sightlines and privacy – like in your secluded area – using the natural elements and tall plants as shields from neighbours or busy streets.

Shaded Respite

An often-overlooked aspect of garden comfort is shading. On a hot summer’s day, a simple umbrella or awning can make your seating area a haven rather than a hindrance, preventing sunburns and heat exhaustion. Creating shade within a tranquil garden is not merely about comfort; strategically placed trees and shade creating structures like arbours, a gazebo, or a pergola, not only protect from the sun’s intensity but also offer a cooler, more inviting environment that encourages relaxation and introspection.  These functional accessories also provide a canvas for mood-enhancing lighting in the evenings, further extending the enjoyment of your outdoor space. Shade can also be created through natural means with considered planting of trees, allowing dappled sunlight to filter through. Shade is definitely an essential element, and one that contributes to the garden’s atmosphere of peace and reflection.

Lighting the Way to Inner Peace

As daylight wanes, your garden can continue to serve as a bastion of tranquillity for a few hours more with outdoor lighting. Soft, diffuse solar lighting adds a touch of enchantment, making the garden an inviting place even after nightfall. Too much lighting or harsh bulbs can overpower the mood so opt for moderate ones that can cast soft glows and gentle shadows. Fire pits and chimeneas are another option and can become the heart of your garden, with the crackling fire serving as a focal point to draw you in warming the body and soul.

Pathways to Relaxation

In a typical garden, paving and stepping stones are functional, in that they take you round the side of the house, or to the shed for example. But they don’t encourage much in the way of mindfulness. Winding pathways through your tranquil garden on the other hand are more than mere routes from one garden area to another; they are an integral element that can take you on a little journey. Stepping stones in particular are great for this, adding more charm and character more so than the hard lines of slabs or paving (which are still great for other areas like a patio). Rearranging or adding pathways with gentle curves can encourage a leisurely appreciation of the surrounding beauty at every turn, taking you away from the stresses of modern-day living.

Pathways can be enhanced further with guiding lights to illuminate the way whilst highlighting the garden’s beautiful features. Solar-powered lights are an eco-friendly means of achieving this, their warm light perfect for the gentle evenings spent in the company of chirping crickets.

Sowing the Seeds of Serenity

There we are. Creating a tranquil and relaxing garden definitely requires some planning, patience, and a little effort. In the end however, you will be rewarded with an escape that offers respite not only from the stresses of daily life but also stands as a testament to the therapeutic power of nature. Afterall, there’s no better place to relax than at home, in your own garden. Armed with these ideas and your own vision, your outdoor space can become a peaceful place to destress and ground yourself in nature away from the demands of the modern world. Visit your local Squire’s Garden Centre where you can find a variety of wonderful plants, water features, garden furniture and more you can use to create your own tranquil garden at home.