You’ll want to evaluate several factors before you decide where to situate a quiet retreat in your yard. As with real estate, this can be the most important consideration in planning a successful retreat in your landscape. Take a look at not only the existing characteristics of your yard, but the space around you as well. If you don’t have a fence or natural barrier between you and the next-door neighbor, then the property line won’t be the best place to get away from it all.

By definition, it seems most natural to place a quiet retreat in the corner of a yard, and that can certainly be a good spot. But don’t restrict yourself to the fringes of the property. With the right design, you can have a relaxing getaway right in the middle of your lawn.

One important consideration is how you will get to your quiet retreat. An inviting path can light up a landscape, turn everyday walks into unfolding journeys, and transform ordinary gardens into something more exciting.

While paths are certainly practical – they reduce soil compaction, give a sense of direction, and keep feet clean and dry – they also add an aesthetic and emotional appeal to the landscape by creating a mood and inviting people to explore. A winding path can help create the sense of privacy at the end, and lets visitors pause and appreciate the garden around them along the way.

Path materials can range from pine needles, bark, grass, and gravel, to natural stone, brick, wood planks, or concrete paving blocks. The type of surface you choose will set the tone for your path, as well as the destination.

Naturally, it should complement the existing house and landscape design – bark chips make a good choice for a woodland garden in the country, but not as the main path leading from a traditional Victorian home to an outdoor table setting.

One great thing about creating a peaceful hideaway in your backyard is its multitude of potential uses. Take time to think about how you’d like to use it before you choose a design. Do you want a place where you can escape with the Sunday paper and a cup of coffee? Or a secondary spot for guests to congregate during parties on the back deck? Perhaps a spot for quiet, candlelit dinners for two, surrounded by a garden in full bloom? You can have all of this – and more – with the right plan.

If you’re looking for solitude, you’ll want to create a smaller space than if you plan to serve meals there. It’s always a good idea to picture yourself using the area before you finalize your plans.

The right sitting area will help to define your space, and should be considered in the planning stage. You may consider a hammock your pinnacle of relaxation, but it won’t work well if you plan to serve meals in your quiet spot. Other options include ever-popular Adirondack chairs or simple table and chair settings.

Perhaps the most popular choice for seating areas are benches, which can fit in seamlessly with their surroundings and offer a spot for one or more people to sit and relax.