10 Ways To Turn Your Fort Lauderdale Yard Into An Oasis of Relaxation

Springtime is almost upon us, and that means a time of renewal. What better spot to start refreshing than your garden? This is especially helpful if you live in sunny Fort Lauderdale, the Floridian city that used to be a favorite Boomer location. And now it’s also the place for young professionals looking into moving and planting roots here, mainly drawn by the flurry of job opportunities. A part of that process is becoming a homeowner. When you’re a homeowner here, the yard continues to be the pride of your property. While you might have year-long landscaping to do in Fort Lauderdale, spring affords you time to give your yard space a makeover.

Here are some ways in which you can renew your yard and turn it into a place of relaxation:

1. Give your garden a once over

Start your project by assessing everything that’s in your yard. Is there anything that you could dispose of or even donate? Look for old outdoor toys that your children are no longer using and either toss them or donate them if they’re still in good condition. Chipped or broken garden pots should also be considered – unless you’re going to repair them, you’re better off getting rid of them. Moreover, inspect your garden tools and see which ones are still good to use. Once you’ve selected the ones that stay, use them to trim the hedges, bushes or trees.

For everything else you have in your yard that you’d still like to keep, you can always turn to self storage. It’s a viable solution to help you keep your yard space airy and tidy until you can use those items again. A 10’x10’ unit is the most common storage unit size people use, but you could probably use a 5’x10’ unit if you only have a couple of things to keep in storage. A self storage unit in Fort Lauderdale, Florida costs anywhere from about $20/month for small units to over $500/month for large units.

2. Decide on a yard theme

As you’re about to give your yard a fresh face, think of a theme that you’d like to use to give your outdoor space a cohesive look. Whether you’re going for a Japanese garden, a butterfly garden or something completely different, make it your own. You can always add an element of surprise to personalize the design.

3. Guide the eye to a focal point

Incorporating a focal point in your yard is a well-known design principle meant to draw the eye towards the center of your outdoor space. Just pick one – it could be either an interesting sculpture or a bench where you can sit and relax. If you’re going for the bench, make sure you place it in the shade. Or, if there aren’t any trees in the middle of your yard, you can always plant an orange Geiger tree. They thrive in the Fort Lauderdale climate.

4. Create a comfortable seating scheme

Decide on the main spot where to place your seating area – either using natural shade or a spot where you can place a large umbrella. Choose a color scheme that goes well with the scenery – earthy tones of brown and wooden furniture go well together. Go for a comfortable sectional with a coffee table in the middle where you can have your morning coffee or entertain when you have guests over. Add outdoor pillows with patterns borrowing the same color palette to complete the look. Additionally, you can also add another seating area in the secluded spot in the garden if you wish to read or relax in the privacy of your yard.

5. Fire things up with a fire pit

Take your outdoor relaxation beyond sundown with a fire pit. Make sure it’s not near any wooden structures such as a deck or under a roof to avoid a fire hazard. A fire pit adds warmth and light to your yard, and it’s the perfect excuse to cook up some delicious smores – what better way to rustle up those childhood camp memories? Adirondack chairs are perfect for sitting around the fire and relaxing with your family after dinner.

6. Incorporate lighting

To further create a relaxing atmosphere, layer up your lighting scheme as you’d do indoors. A combination of different light sources will make your lanai pop. Include lanterns here and there and string lights. Use adjacent trees and bushes to do so. Lit candles can also be a subtle addition to your outdoor light scheme – go for citronellas if you also want to keep mosquitoes at bay.

7. Create vacation vibes with a hammock

A hammock is a perfect addition to your garden to relax and have a lazy day, especially when you live in a dreamy Florida city such as Fort Lauderdale. You can attach it to two trees to create a relaxing atmosphere. Alternatively, you can go for a lounge with a stand that can be easily moved around if you wish to stay in a shady area of your yard. Nothing spells relaxation more than convenience.

8. Use natural sounds to create a relaxing ambiance

Go for a water feature to create that calm atmosphere that only the sound of water can evoke. Listen to water trickling whether you’re going to introduce a small fountain, a koi pond or even a birdbath. It’s true that the ideal “water feature” is a pool, but if you don’t have the space or the budget to install one, these other alternatives can also come with the calming benefits of trickling water in your backyard. Moreover, you can also install wind chimes – bamboo or metal ones can do the trick.

9. Add a birdfeeder

Welcome wildlife into your yard with a birdfeeder. Add more than one across your yard to make sure you’re encouraging birds to come visit your outdoor space. Once they realize there’s food there for them, they will keep coming and enchant you with their lively chirps. Also, planting flowers that attract butterflies is another great way to create a natural habitat for these delicate creatures.

10. Fill your yard with plants

Besides landscaping, think about incorporating plants into your outdoor space to add more greenery and a pop of color. Go for native plants and also plants that bloom year-round. Take, for instance, Bidens Alba or Spanish needle – the former blooms all year-long and the latter is butterfly friendly. You can also mix and match plants that bloom at different times during the year so that your yard will always welcome you with a flowery smile.

Did we help you renew your Fort Lauderdale garden and turn it into a beautiful spot to relax? Let us know in the comments section below.