With a busy life and so many things going on, having a private place for you can be a real blessing. A garden is one of those opportunities to create something that helps you recharge, reflect, and find tranquility. Carving out a peaceful retreat, though, requires some thoughtful planning and a few creative touches. Let’s show you quickly and simply how to create your own haven, step-by-step:
Be Sure What You Want
Before you start digging or planting, take the time to think about what you want from your private garden space. Do you dream of something like a meditation spot, something creative, or a cozy reading nook? When you clarify your vision, it’s going to decide every decision you make, and this would be even more useful if you’re taking a DIY approach. You may want to add a garden shed as your retreat’s centerpiece, and building your own shed, starting with a solid shed base, can be a rewarding project. It ensures that your shed is stable and dry and forms the foundation for your peaceful hideaway. Whether you need to use the shed for storage, hobbies, or as a quiet escape, planning and building it yourself adds a personal touch and a sense of accomplishment to your sanctuary.
Designing With Calm in Mind
A peaceful garden begins with a simple and harmonious design. You may think about all the things that you want in terms of color, but try to be limited, particularly in terms of the palette, because soft pastels, creams, and greens will work wonderfully, and then be sure to repeat these colors around the garden in your plants, furniture, and accessories. Curved paths, natural materials such as wood or gravel, and collected layouts foster a sense of order and serenity. Decide how you will use your retreat and select comfortable seating to match, so whether it’s meditation, reading, or quiet conversation, the space will nurture that.
Engage the Senses
A tranquil space, whether it’s in the garden or not, should delight all of the senses. Plant fragrant herbs such as lavender, rosemary, or chamomile for their soothing scents, and if you have the money, a small water feature can make a big difference because that gentle sound of trickling water can enhance the feeling of calm, as well as wind chimes, soft grass, and other textures to enrich that sensory experience.
Embracing Mindfulness
Of course, if you want to create somewhere to retreat to, you need to make it uniquely yours by adding those focal points to encourage reflection. Think about soft lighting such as fairy lights or solar lamps to extend the use of your sanctuary long into the evening, but most importantly, spend time in your garden mindfully, which means listening to the birds, watering the plants, or just sitting quietly. These moments of pure presence can transform your private garden into a true refuge from the chaos.
Giving these approaches a go can help you create a private garden space. No matter how busy life gets, we all deserve some peace and quiet, so be sure to create that sanctuary.
MindOwl Founder – My own struggles in life have led me to this path of understanding the human condition. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy before completing a master’s degree in psychology at Regent’s University London. I then completed a postgraduate diploma in philosophical counselling before being trained in ACT (Acceptance and commitment therapy).
I’ve spent the last eight years studying the encounter of meditative practices with modern psychology.