Transform Your Backyard Into an Outdoor Oasis

Your backyard is more than just a backyard. It's a place for you to unwind, entertain guests, and spend quality time with your loved ones. With some strategic planning, it's possible to transform even the most unassuming yard into a backyard oasis.

Backyard Oasis Landscaping Ideas

Homeowners wanting to give their outdoor living space a makeover can explore the following design ideas.

Fire Pit

Nothing adds ambiance quite like a fire feature.

Pergola with Climbing Plants

A hardscape structure like a pergola can add visual interest to any yard while providing structure for climbing greenery.

Outdoor Fireplace

Take cues for your outdoor living area from your home's living room. For many people, a fireplace makes the living room feel like home, and an outdoor fireplace can offer the same effect for your outdoor oasis.

Outdoor Kitchen with Dining Area

An outdoor kitchen with al fresco dining is a great space for entertaining guests and hosting parties.

Water Features

For a relaxing vibe, consider water features like swim spas, waterfalls, and fountains.

String Lights

Illuminate your beautiful backyard at night with strategically placed string lights.

Hammocks

A budget-friendly way to improve the enjoyment of your back or front yard is with a hammock.

Awnings

Don't forget to add shade to your backyard, keeping you cool even in the hottest months of the year. Awnings and trees can both offer you the shade you need to protect yourself.

Container Gardens

Why not make your backyard garden a container garden? You can mix and match different kinds of plants and choose a variety of pots to add texture to your yard.

Seating Area

Create a dedicated seating area for you, your family, and friends to hang out at. Choose weather-resistant furniture and durable outdoor rugs to tie the space together.

8 Considerations for Backyard Landscaping Projects

1. Permits

Before beginning any backyard renovation project, always check with your local laws and ordinances to see if you need any special permits or permissions. This step can save you money on fines or even legal troubles.

2. Year-round Interest

Your yard should look great year-round, not just during a few seasons. Opt for a variety of textures and colors when choosing plants and materials, so your yard is aesthetically pleasing no matter the temperature.

3. Budget

Keep your backyard ideas grounded with a realistic budget. Include not just materials and installation costs, but also permit, labor, and upkeep costs.

4. Drainage

Nothing can turn an oasis into a nightmare quite like water pooling. When designing your oasis, make sure you consider the slope of your yard as well as potential drainage obstacles; depending on the unique topography of your yard, you may need a professional drainage system installed to manage water runoff.

5. Function

What purpose do you want your backyard to serve? Will it be a quiet place to unwind after a stressful day? Will it be a place to host parties? Decide how you want your space to function, as function will inform the rest of your backyard landscape design.

6. Privacy

How much privacy do you crave? Tall privacy fences and massive greenery can add layers of protection from prying eyes.

7. Upkeep

Consider long-term maintenance when planning your oasis. Will plants require lots of extra care? Will your hardscape elements need annual repairs or upgrades?

8. DIY vs Professional Installation

Whether or not you will design, install, and maintain your oasis yourself is a major decision. Depending on your budget and ability levels, basic backyard projects like installing a simple fireplace and hammock can be well worth doing yourself. For more complex projects, however, such as those involving gas lines, it may be best to hire licensed professionals.

Backyard Oasis Ideas FAQs

How can I make a backyard oasis on a budget?

Ways to create a small backyard oasis on a budget include using water-efficient native plants, upcycling used outdoor furniture, hanging string lights along walkways, and installing ground lights to highlight key features.

What makes a good backyard oasis?

A "good" backyard oasis is one that helps you feel relaxed, which means an oasis for one person can look radically different from one for their neighbor. That said, many good landscape designs incorporate both hardscape elements and softscape elements, such as wooden gazebos and perennial flower beds.

What plants are best for a backyard oasis?

The "best" plants for a backyard oasis are ones that align with your vision, budget, and more. For many people, native plants provide year-round visual interest while being comparatively low-maintenance compared to non-native species.

Missouri native plants that tend to do well in the St. Louis climate include black-eyed Susans, blazing stars, flowering dogwood trees, and big bluestem.

What is the most low-maintenance landscaping for a backyard oasis?

For many people, low-maintenance landscaping projects are those that incorporate elements that replace the need for a grass lawn, such as inorganic ground cover like pea gravel and paver patios or organic ground cover like moss.

What features can I include in my backyard oasis design?

Features that many of our past clients have incorporated into their own outdoor spaces include:

• Outdoor fireplaces
• Swim spas
• Hot tubs
• In-ground swimming pools
• Outdoor dining area

Where can I get professional help with backyard oasis ideas?

For professional help designing, installing, and maintaining a gorgeous backyard oasis, contact Poynter Landscape Architecture & Construction. We have decades of experience serving St. Louis-area properties just like yours.