Landscape Design
12 Ways to Turn Your Yard Into a Wellness Retreat
Transform your outdoor space into a haven for relaxation, rejuvenation and fun
Time spent in nature can be good for your health. “According to the Mayo Clinic, it can be an effective tool for managing stress, even for a few minutes a day,” says Jamie Gold, a Mayo Clinic-certified wellness coach and author of the book Wellness by Design: A Room-by-Room Guide to Optimizing Your Home for Health, Fitness and Happiness.
You can add features large and small to your yard to enhance the benefits of spending time outside. Consider these 12 ideas for turning your outdoor landscape into a space that promotes relaxation, stimulates the senses and encourages exercise and play.
You can add features large and small to your yard to enhance the benefits of spending time outside. Consider these 12 ideas for turning your outdoor landscape into a space that promotes relaxation, stimulates the senses and encourages exercise and play.
2. Engage the Senses
Immersing yourself in a garden can help calm and even clear your mind. Landscape architect Inge Daniels approaches landscapes as something to be experienced by all the senses. A good example is the wild meadow seen here, which she designed for a Concord, Massachusetts, yard with a gravel path that cuts right through the middle of it.
“On this path, you are immersed in these plants. The sound of the wind moves through them, and you hear hawks in the trees. You feel and hear the gravel crunch under your feet as you’re walking,” she says. During such a stroll, the eye takes in the rich textural and color palettes. Some of the plants are fragrant too, engaging the sense of smell. Daniels also recommends avoiding things that are unpleasant to the senses — for example, eliminating noisy leaf blowers from the maintenance plan.
Immersing yourself in a garden can help calm and even clear your mind. Landscape architect Inge Daniels approaches landscapes as something to be experienced by all the senses. A good example is the wild meadow seen here, which she designed for a Concord, Massachusetts, yard with a gravel path that cuts right through the middle of it.
“On this path, you are immersed in these plants. The sound of the wind moves through them, and you hear hawks in the trees. You feel and hear the gravel crunch under your feet as you’re walking,” she says. During such a stroll, the eye takes in the rich textural and color palettes. Some of the plants are fragrant too, engaging the sense of smell. Daniels also recommends avoiding things that are unpleasant to the senses — for example, eliminating noisy leaf blowers from the maintenance plan.
3. Take In Calming Fragrances
Plants with certain aromas can calm the mind and boost the mood. They include chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile, USDA zones 4 to 9; find your zone), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare, zones 4 to 9), gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides, zones 8 to 11), lavender (Lavandula spp., zones 5 to 8), citrus plants (Citrus spp., zones vary by species), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus, zones 8 to 11), marjoram (Origanum spp., zones 4 to 8), rose (Rosa spp., zones vary by species) and jasmine (Jasminum spp., zones 7 to 10).
“You can bring nature to your outdoor spaces, even a tiny doorstep area, by placing plants there,” says Gold, whose fragrance of choice for her garden is jasmine. On the rooftop garden in London seen here, Jonathan Snow Design planted lavender and jasmine in pots. Adding fragrance to your outdoor space can require an investment as minimal as one plant and a pot to put it in.
Scents and Sensibility: The Aromatherapy Garden
Plants with certain aromas can calm the mind and boost the mood. They include chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile, USDA zones 4 to 9; find your zone), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare, zones 4 to 9), gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides, zones 8 to 11), lavender (Lavandula spp., zones 5 to 8), citrus plants (Citrus spp., zones vary by species), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus, zones 8 to 11), marjoram (Origanum spp., zones 4 to 8), rose (Rosa spp., zones vary by species) and jasmine (Jasminum spp., zones 7 to 10).
“You can bring nature to your outdoor spaces, even a tiny doorstep area, by placing plants there,” says Gold, whose fragrance of choice for her garden is jasmine. On the rooftop garden in London seen here, Jonathan Snow Design planted lavender and jasmine in pots. Adding fragrance to your outdoor space can require an investment as minimal as one plant and a pot to put it in.
Scents and Sensibility: The Aromatherapy Garden
4. Add a Splash or Trickle of Water
Gardens that incorporate pleasing sounds can calm the mind. The trickling, bubbling or splashing of water from a fountain is an example of a relaxing background noise.
Accordingly, studio dre placed this fountain just outside the home office of a San Francisco apartment. It invites the homeowner to take a break from work or to take a call outdoors, and to breathe in some outdoor air, get vitamin D from the sun and let the sound of the water and the view of the plants soothe the mind.
While a fountain like this requires a substantial budget, there are inexpensive tabletop fountains on the market that also provide the relaxing sounds of water.
8 Dreamy Water Features for Gardens Big and Small
Gardens that incorporate pleasing sounds can calm the mind. The trickling, bubbling or splashing of water from a fountain is an example of a relaxing background noise.
Accordingly, studio dre placed this fountain just outside the home office of a San Francisco apartment. It invites the homeowner to take a break from work or to take a call outdoors, and to breathe in some outdoor air, get vitamin D from the sun and let the sound of the water and the view of the plants soothe the mind.
While a fountain like this requires a substantial budget, there are inexpensive tabletop fountains on the market that also provide the relaxing sounds of water.
8 Dreamy Water Features for Gardens Big and Small
5. Create Joy
Gold advises integrating your favorite colors, along with outdoor-friendly artwork that makes you smile. In this Miami landscape, brightly colored giraffes that appear to be nibbling at a tree surprise and delight.
The sculpture or other artwork you choose should be personal, so you should take time to see how it makes you feel. For some, it may be a reverentially placed Buddha that makes them feel at peace; for others, it may be a cheerful garden gnome that makes them laugh.
Gold advises integrating your favorite colors, along with outdoor-friendly artwork that makes you smile. In this Miami landscape, brightly colored giraffes that appear to be nibbling at a tree surprise and delight.
The sculpture or other artwork you choose should be personal, so you should take time to see how it makes you feel. For some, it may be a reverentially placed Buddha that makes them feel at peace; for others, it may be a cheerful garden gnome that makes them laugh.
6. Make Room for Exercise
Breathing in fresh air and enjoying the sunlight are benefits you can add to your exercise routine. In this San Francisco yard, Shades of Green Landscape Architecture created a deck that’s a perfect spot for doing yoga and other workouts. Leave your yoga mat, jump rope, free weights or other workout equipment near the door so it will be easy to grab them and take them outdoors.
Check out our beginner’s guide to get started on your home project
Breathing in fresh air and enjoying the sunlight are benefits you can add to your exercise routine. In this San Francisco yard, Shades of Green Landscape Architecture created a deck that’s a perfect spot for doing yoga and other workouts. Leave your yoga mat, jump rope, free weights or other workout equipment near the door so it will be easy to grab them and take them outdoors.
Check out our beginner’s guide to get started on your home project
7. Encourage Outdoor Family Fun
Sometimes it’s hard to get family members of all ages off their screens and out the door. With a little cajoling, you can entice the gang to play outdoors with a game like croquet, badminton or bocce.
On this Minneapolis balcony, Mom’s Design Build created a great spot for a game of cornhole. In addition, a few well-placed Adirondack chairs provide spots for taking in nature, reading a book or watching the players.
12 Outdoor Areas Designed for Fun and Play
Sometimes it’s hard to get family members of all ages off their screens and out the door. With a little cajoling, you can entice the gang to play outdoors with a game like croquet, badminton or bocce.
On this Minneapolis balcony, Mom’s Design Build created a great spot for a game of cornhole. In addition, a few well-placed Adirondack chairs provide spots for taking in nature, reading a book or watching the players.
12 Outdoor Areas Designed for Fun and Play
8. Grow Your Own Food
There’s no better-tasting herb, fruit or vegetable than one you’ve grown yourself. And when you grow your own food, it makes you want to plan menus around anything you harvest. In addition, planting edible gardens also will make you spend time outdoors tending to them and collecting ingredients.
For the San Francisco Bay Area yard seen here, landscape architect Lisa Howard of Bay Tree Design had a client who wanted a versatile garden where she could experiment with different flowers and edible plants. She also wanted the space to be child-friendly so her kids could enjoy harvesting herbs and vegetables and cutting flowers with her. Howard organized the space, adding large planting boxes, seating, gravel and a work counter.
If the thought of creating an edible garden seems like an overwhelming task, get started with three pots of your favorite herbs, a few tomato plants or a fruit tree.
How to Grow Vegetables in Containers
There’s no better-tasting herb, fruit or vegetable than one you’ve grown yourself. And when you grow your own food, it makes you want to plan menus around anything you harvest. In addition, planting edible gardens also will make you spend time outdoors tending to them and collecting ingredients.
For the San Francisco Bay Area yard seen here, landscape architect Lisa Howard of Bay Tree Design had a client who wanted a versatile garden where she could experiment with different flowers and edible plants. She also wanted the space to be child-friendly so her kids could enjoy harvesting herbs and vegetables and cutting flowers with her. Howard organized the space, adding large planting boxes, seating, gravel and a work counter.
If the thought of creating an edible garden seems like an overwhelming task, get started with three pots of your favorite herbs, a few tomato plants or a fruit tree.
How to Grow Vegetables in Containers
9. Install a Sauna
The Finns have touted the benefits of the sauna for centuries. Now that prefab saunas are available in big-box stores, it’s become easier and less expensive to install one.
Installing a sauna in the landscape, as Lindgren Landscape did in the Colorado yard seen here, makes it possible to engage the senses along the way. This can include adding gravel to enjoy that crunch and feel under your feet, planting herbs to take in their fragrance or installing elements that bring in the sounds of wind or water.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
The Finns have touted the benefits of the sauna for centuries. Now that prefab saunas are available in big-box stores, it’s become easier and less expensive to install one.
Installing a sauna in the landscape, as Lindgren Landscape did in the Colorado yard seen here, makes it possible to engage the senses along the way. This can include adding gravel to enjoy that crunch and feel under your feet, planting herbs to take in their fragrance or installing elements that bring in the sounds of wind or water.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
10. Add a Cold Plunge
Cold plunges have been trending in show houses and on wellness blogs lately. According to the Cleveland Clinic, cold plunges can be effective at easing sore muscles, decreasing body core temperature after a workout and decreasing inflammation. Anecdotal evidence also shows that cold plunges can help some people focus and improve their sleep. Please note that cold plunges can come with risks, particularly for those with underlying conditions, so check with your doctor before trying one, and start with quick plunges.
A cold plunge also can be paired with a sauna. It can cool you off after a steam; or, conversely, the sauna can help bring your body temperature back up after a cold plunge.
In the yard seen here, located outside Seattle, Alderwood Landscape Architecture and Construction included a sauna, a cold plunge and an open-air outdoor shower within a wellness zone. The three are connected by the pebble walkway seen on the left side of this photo; the pebbles feel wonderful under bare feet.
Cold plunges have been trending in show houses and on wellness blogs lately. According to the Cleveland Clinic, cold plunges can be effective at easing sore muscles, decreasing body core temperature after a workout and decreasing inflammation. Anecdotal evidence also shows that cold plunges can help some people focus and improve their sleep. Please note that cold plunges can come with risks, particularly for those with underlying conditions, so check with your doctor before trying one, and start with quick plunges.
A cold plunge also can be paired with a sauna. It can cool you off after a steam; or, conversely, the sauna can help bring your body temperature back up after a cold plunge.
In the yard seen here, located outside Seattle, Alderwood Landscape Architecture and Construction included a sauna, a cold plunge and an open-air outdoor shower within a wellness zone. The three are connected by the pebble walkway seen on the left side of this photo; the pebbles feel wonderful under bare feet.
11. Create a Space for Quiet Contemplation
Whether you practice meditation every day, want a quiet place to catch an afternoon nap or need an escape from your busy life at home to read a book, consider an outbuilding that’s nestled into the garden. Shutting the door to the main house and heading to a special spot in the landscape can help you shake off the stress of the day.
In creating the tranquil Bayside, Wisconsin, landscape here, LandCrafters took inspiration from Japanese Zen gardens, finding just the right spot to place a Japanese teahouse. Following the steppingstone path and gazing upon the raked rock garden can reset the mind, while the traditional rituals of the tea ceremony provide an opportunity to be mindful.
Whether you practice meditation every day, want a quiet place to catch an afternoon nap or need an escape from your busy life at home to read a book, consider an outbuilding that’s nestled into the garden. Shutting the door to the main house and heading to a special spot in the landscape can help you shake off the stress of the day.
In creating the tranquil Bayside, Wisconsin, landscape here, LandCrafters took inspiration from Japanese Zen gardens, finding just the right spot to place a Japanese teahouse. Following the steppingstone path and gazing upon the raked rock garden can reset the mind, while the traditional rituals of the tea ceremony provide an opportunity to be mindful.
12. Include a Labyrinth
Not to be confused with a garden maze, which has multiple pathway options and dead ends, a garden labyrinth has just one circuitous path to follow. Meandering around its curves while watching one’s feet encourages quiet meditation. This is why labyrinths are often incorporated into healing gardens at health facilities.
If you aren’t fully committed to a hardscape design like the one seen here, by Couture-Homes, you can use a combination of ground covers and patio pavers, gravel or mulch to create a labyrinth in your yard.
Your turn: Do you have any features in your garden or daily practices to promote wellness? Tell us in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more landscape stories
Browse outdoor photos for ideas
Find design and remodeling pros
Not to be confused with a garden maze, which has multiple pathway options and dead ends, a garden labyrinth has just one circuitous path to follow. Meandering around its curves while watching one’s feet encourages quiet meditation. This is why labyrinths are often incorporated into healing gardens at health facilities.
If you aren’t fully committed to a hardscape design like the one seen here, by Couture-Homes, you can use a combination of ground covers and patio pavers, gravel or mulch to create a labyrinth in your yard.
Your turn: Do you have any features in your garden or daily practices to promote wellness? Tell us in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more landscape stories
Browse outdoor photos for ideas
Find design and remodeling pros
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Landscape designer Barry Sacher of Rock Paper Scissors Landscape says it’s not about the amount of usable outdoor space you have, but the value of what’s there. “For me, the most fulfilling part of my job is to get people outside by giving them an outdoor space they will be comfortable in. It’s nourishing,” she says.
A favorite spot that draws you outdoors is where the value lies. “I had a client who used to have a large, flat yard but moved to a home with a yard that had a big slope and not a lot of usable space,” Sacher says. “It didn’t matter, because her favorite way to spend time outdoors was lying in a hammock while looking at the beautiful vista of trees or reading.”
Your space doesn’t need to have a hammock; the point is to create a comfortable spot outdoors where you’ll want to spend time. This may mean investing in an umbrella to provide shade or an outdoor sofa with deep cushions. If your home’s outdoor area is limited to a small deck or balcony, it can be as simple as adding a comfortable chair and a side table that will entice you outdoors for morning coffee.
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