In the middle of the cold Alberta winter, it’s hard to remember a time when it was freezing outside with feet of snow piled up everywhere. However, a bit of summer dreaming will help keep the winter blues at bay, and the perfect way to do this is to plan out your new backyard oasis.
When you think of the word “oasis”, it brings to mind a space of peace and serenity in the middle of the chaos and noise of modern life, and this is what your patio can become with some simple planning. Your patio makes for the perfect focal point for your backyard oasis as it has a flat, hard surface which is ideal for relaxing furniture, external walls to hang things from and open sides to allow the heat and breezes through. To transform your patio from plain foot traffic space to calm backyard oasis, try some of these home improvement tricks:
- Mood lighting – the key to creating a relaxing oasis is the lighting. Candles are the classic choice with their soft, flickering glow, but they require replacing on a frequent basis. String lighting gives you the same low level lighting but raised up higher and without the ongoing maintenance. For a truly peaceful feeling, consider only using end table lamps; the down lighting effects means everything will feel comfortably dark and cozy.
- Add plants – adding plants of any description to your patio cover will automatically make it feel more luxurious, and they can serve many purposes. Firstly, plants increase the overall air quality of a space, providing a fresh feeling in the oppressive heat. Secondly, flowering plants give off beautiful scents, and smells have long been proven to be associated with relaxation and peace. Finally, taller plants can be used to create natural barriers between your patio and the rest of the garden, meaning you can escape into your own private world when you need private space.
- Soft furnishings – the main theme of your oasis is going to be comfort, so it will be important to make sure that you have a suitable set of cushions and blankets to snuggle up into. You should also buy furniture that already feels luxurious; it’s hard to relax fully on a wicker chair, but a hammock or deep filled couch will do a much better job of completing your backyard oasis.
Adding a patio cover will help to keep the harsh sun out and increase the feeling of coziness. Patio covers come in many types and materials so you’re bound to find one that matches the design of your house and patio and helps create that feeling of privacy and peace. Perhaps the most common choice for those trying to create a backyard oasis is the pergola; a free standing structure that gives you partial shade and that you can train climbing plants to grow up gives you endless options for mood lighting and a quiet tucked away oasis right outside your own home. We even offer hybrid patio covers, which ads the functionality of a patio cover along with the style of a pergola.
