10 Idyllic Garden Retreats You’ll Love
These outdoor havens are perfect spots in which to relax with a glass of Pimm’s
Cheryl F
29 August 2016
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
Often in life it’s the simple things that get you through – a cup of hot tea in the morning, a page-turning novel, or a life-affirming chat with a good friend. And what could be simpler than heading out to your garden or terrace?
Being outside (even in the heart of the city) lets you convene with nature – known to be good for body and mind – and helps your worries slip away. Take a look at these ideas for creating a garden idyll – your own personal patch of paradise outside your back door. If you have a beautiful view to gaze at, so much the better.
Being outside (even in the heart of the city) lets you convene with nature – known to be good for body and mind – and helps your worries slip away. Take a look at these ideas for creating a garden idyll – your own personal patch of paradise outside your back door. If you have a beautiful view to gaze at, so much the better.
Create a small lounging spot
Bigger isn’t always better. A tiny terrace surrounded by vegetation can conjure up the feeling of sitting in a vibrant meadow. If your garden is on a slope, so much the better – site your lounger to make the most of the view.
Bigger isn’t always better. A tiny terrace surrounded by vegetation can conjure up the feeling of sitting in a vibrant meadow. If your garden is on a slope, so much the better – site your lounger to make the most of the view.
Bag a booth
Think booths only belong in diners? Nope, they work alfresco, too, as this smart design shows. Adding one shouldn’t be too complicated: ask your builder to a create a snug, brick-built surround with built-in benches and a table. If you can make use of an existing wall, so much the better. Add decking to complete the ideal hideaway for dinner à deux.
Tip Lacquered decking adds a more “indoorsy” garden room effect.
Think booths only belong in diners? Nope, they work alfresco, too, as this smart design shows. Adding one shouldn’t be too complicated: ask your builder to a create a snug, brick-built surround with built-in benches and a table. If you can make use of an existing wall, so much the better. Add decking to complete the ideal hideaway for dinner à deux.
Tip Lacquered decking adds a more “indoorsy” garden room effect.
Go poolside
Having a staycation this summer? Fear not! You can still drum up a poolside vibe in the tightest of spaces. Squeeze in a pair of loungers for afternoon snoozes. Then steal a coffee-shop trick by using a bar-height table and stools – these are more compact than a full-size dining ensemble.
Having a staycation this summer? Fear not! You can still drum up a poolside vibe in the tightest of spaces. Squeeze in a pair of loungers for afternoon snoozes. Then steal a coffee-shop trick by using a bar-height table and stools – these are more compact than a full-size dining ensemble.
Fence it off
Fences don’t have to be brown and boring. A stylish modern divide can transform how a garden feels – use batten panels like these to ramp up privacy and create mini “garden rooms” in a larger space.
With more of us cooking and entertaining outside, a brick-built, wood-fired oven is the ideal modern garden addition – far more sophisticated than a disposable barbecue.
Fences don’t have to be brown and boring. A stylish modern divide can transform how a garden feels – use batten panels like these to ramp up privacy and create mini “garden rooms” in a larger space.
With more of us cooking and entertaining outside, a brick-built, wood-fired oven is the ideal modern garden addition – far more sophisticated than a disposable barbecue.
Pile up the pots
Garden paved over? No problem. You can still create a leafy hideaway. As long as you keep an eye on watering, pots and planters provide a leafy courtyard feel without the need for mowing and pruning. Mix up sizes, shapes and foliage styles to create a varied vista. And investigate self-watering pots and automated watering systems to ensure things don’t dry up.
Read expert advice on how to grow a container garden
Garden paved over? No problem. You can still create a leafy hideaway. As long as you keep an eye on watering, pots and planters provide a leafy courtyard feel without the need for mowing and pruning. Mix up sizes, shapes and foliage styles to create a varied vista. And investigate self-watering pots and automated watering systems to ensure things don’t dry up.
Read expert advice on how to grow a container garden
Have a basement party
As this pocket-sized spot proves, you don’t need acres of land to conjure up an idyllic get-away-from-it-all spot: any outdoor space can be beautiful if it’s given some TLC. Some gorgeous, Moroccan-style tiles, a quirky stag’s head and a bistro table set are all that’s needed to give this bijou sunken terrace a sense of private bliss.
Add a few potted, shade-loving plants, such as ferns, and you can get a garden feel, too.
As this pocket-sized spot proves, you don’t need acres of land to conjure up an idyllic get-away-from-it-all spot: any outdoor space can be beautiful if it’s given some TLC. Some gorgeous, Moroccan-style tiles, a quirky stag’s head and a bistro table set are all that’s needed to give this bijou sunken terrace a sense of private bliss.
Add a few potted, shade-loving plants, such as ferns, and you can get a garden feel, too.
Bamboo-zle your garden
Bamboo sometimes gets a bad press, and it’s true, if not monitored carefully, many varieties can grow out of control. But planted carefully, it creates a luscious green screen that can transport you to another continent (as well as screening the view of your neighbour’s house).
Tip Research the type of bamboo you’re buying and get tips on how best to grow it to prevent it running amok. Plant it in a contained area, as here, to keep things orderly and structured.
Bamboo sometimes gets a bad press, and it’s true, if not monitored carefully, many varieties can grow out of control. But planted carefully, it creates a luscious green screen that can transport you to another continent (as well as screening the view of your neighbour’s house).
Tip Research the type of bamboo you’re buying and get tips on how best to grow it to prevent it running amok. Plant it in a contained area, as here, to keep things orderly and structured.
Extend a planter
Break the rules – flowerbeds don’t have to just go round the edges. This built-in planter is basically an oversized window box. It provides a sumptuous floral screen to gaze at from indoors; from the lawn, it screens off the house, making the garden greener, and feel like even more of a secluded spot.
Break the rules – flowerbeds don’t have to just go round the edges. This built-in planter is basically an oversized window box. It provides a sumptuous floral screen to gaze at from indoors; from the lawn, it screens off the house, making the garden greener, and feel like even more of a secluded spot.
Copy park style
You know your local park – the way they stick a bench more or less anywhere and it makes that area more enticing? Why not do that in your own garden? A wooden park bench is a timeless design for a reason – it just works. I also love these sculptural box balls.
You know your local park – the way they stick a bench more or less anywhere and it makes that area more enticing? Why not do that in your own garden? A wooden park bench is a timeless design for a reason – it just works. I also love these sculptural box balls.
Put in some doors
With a little imagination, the tiniest of courtyards can feel special. These wall-mounted French antique doors add a continental feel, with mirrored panels creating an impression of space. That old garden classic, box hedge topiary, ramps up the grandeur further.
What would your dream garden idyll look like? Share your photos and ideas in the Comments below.
With a little imagination, the tiniest of courtyards can feel special. These wall-mounted French antique doors add a continental feel, with mirrored panels creating an impression of space. That old garden classic, box hedge topiary, ramps up the grandeur further.
What would your dream garden idyll look like? Share your photos and ideas in the Comments below.
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A few more
ideas for garden retreats
If any of these lovely gardens belonged to me I don't think I'd be relaxing as I would be too busy doing a happy dance!