Let’s face it, any of us who have seen or been inside a zen garden have wondered what it would be like to have a space like that in our homes. But while most of us think of that task as too difficult or too complicated, a few simple zen backyard ideas can help bring much of that feeling into your garden.
For that, we have compiled this list of our favorite zen backyard ideas to help you bring your ideal tranquil outdoor oasis to life. So read on and make yourself a zen backyard.
1. Water Features
Nothing beats the ambiance and relaxation that a water feature can bring to a space, which is part of the reason why they are so common as zen outdoor decor. And, with these things getting cheaper and cheaper to install, you can now have the comforting sound and feel of a small fountain or even a tiny pond in your own backyard!
2. Rock Garden
One of the most defining characteristics of a Japanese Zen Garden is the use of rocks to create beautiful landscape features. And sure, they look hard to create at first, but all you need is some gardening wire, a pair of pliers to cut and manipulate it, and, well, some rocks to have your own DIY rock garden.
3. Sand Table
If you’ve ever seen any oddly satisfying video compilations, you’ll be familiar with these things. And, well, they are just as satisfying to look at in real life as they are on screen. And, as a bonus, they fit right in with the rest of your outdoor furniture if you want to keep them inside instead of out.
4. Stone Paths
A super easy and practical way to introduce the zen garden look to your backyard, or even your lawn is to use proper stepping stones to create paths instead of those ugly concrete tiles most of us use. In fact, you can do that to any existing garden and bring a little bit of zen charm to it in no time.
5. Fire Pits
One of the less common but still excellent zen outdoor patio ideas is the use of fire pits to create places of relaxation and warmth. And sure, they’re not the most traditional addition to such spaces, but anyone who has ever enjoyed sitting in front of a firepit can tell you that these things are the epitome of relaxing and so make perfect sense for a zen garden.
And if you go a little further and add some nice modern outdoor furniture, like maybe an outdoor sofa, you can even have a proper spot for you and your friends to hang out in, near!
6. Zen Lighting
Most people underestimate the calming, or, for that matter, the agitating effect that lighting can have on our moods, and the same goes for zen garden and zen patio ideas. The simple use of warm, diffused lighting instead of the usual harsh and direct floodlights most of us use can create a world of difference, especially if you visit the space a lot throughout the day.
7. Outdoor Yoga Space
It should come as no surprise that Zen and yoga go hand in hand. And as a result of that, combining your zen backyard ideas with a nice space for you to meditate and stretch will make your yoga all the more rewarding.
8. Wind Chimes
These are probably one of the most under-utilized pieces of patio outdoor decor out there, especially when you consider how pleasant they can be when placed on a patio or a balcony. So do yourself a favor and bring some relaxing sounds to your garden using any number of different wind chime designs.
9. Use Plants
This one might sound obvious, but the exact choice of plants and the way you will garden them will actually have a huge impact on the way your zen garden feels. Instead of going all out with random containers and plants, use light-colored and plain planters paired with clean and fragrant plant varieties that you plan in advance, and create your ideal space.
10. Zen Sculptures
Although not as practically important, adding some nice zen-inspired sculptures like pagodas or statues can really round out outdoor spaces, especially when you pair them nicely with your outdoor furniture for small patio.
11. Archways & Partitions
One of the most important things that makes a zen garden feel relaxing is the sense of seclusion and privacy, and a great way to introduce that is if you add a nice archway to the garden’s entrance point. Not only do they look good, but they help separate your garden from the rest of your home and give you an actual retreat.
The same goes for partitions. Whether you go for tall plants, bamboo, or any other wooden walls, these things will help keep noise out and keep relaxation and tranquility in.
12. Gravel Beds
These are probably the signature feature of a traditional zen garden, and let’s just say that we, too, are fans. These things not only look great in place of your run-of-the-mill pathways and garden beds but walking on them and interacting with them can bring a tactility to your zen garden that simply can’t be replaced with anything else.
Bottom Line
All in all, while zen gardens are intimidating at first and far from the simplest way to upgrade your garden, as long as you follow the right steps, they can be incredibly rewarding. And we hope that the zen backyard ideas we’ve shown you guys today will help you achieve your zen garden dreams.
And that covers our guide on zen backyard gardens. We hope you found the guide helpful, and if you did, remember to share this with your friends. With that, stay curious, guys, and thanks for reading.
