Increasingly, outdoor spaces have become personal sanctuaries designed to support both mental and physical well-being.
As Real Simple reports, ultimately, the goal is to create a space that invites you to chill, breathe deep, and recharge. It’s a notable shift away from over-stimulation, towards curated spaces that ground you—all rooted in the rise of “recovery culture” and biohacking we’re seeing.
“This can look like quiet seating areas, cold plunges, outdoor showers, saunas, bird baths or simply spaces that feel calm, natural, and restorative,” says Carly Schroeder, owner and principal designer at CJS Lifestyle & Design.
While installable wellness features can help with that, you don’t have to go overboard. Pick just one or two elements—barrel saunas and cold plunge prices have come down significantly, Fox says—and build a retreat around them, and don’t underestimate the beauty of nature itself. “Nature plays a huge role in wellness,” Schroeder adds. “Use natural materials, soft lighting, and plants that create movement and calm.”
Privacy is always in for backyard spaces, but the rigid, fortress-style privacy has given way to softer, more organic alternatives. “Seclusion can be achieved with a simple fence panel, bamboo screening, or a few well-placed evergreen shrubs,” says Nate Fox, lead designer at Foxterra Design.
You can easily soften the look of existing fencing with plants—crawling vines on trellises, flowering bushes, and wall planters—along with lighting and organic textures. Even layering in a water feature with a gentle bubbling sound can help drown out exterior noises, adding to the private retreat feel.
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