When life feels hectic and overwhelming, having an outdoor space in your Glastonbury or West Hartford, CT backyard can help you unwind, destress, and rejuvenate your mind and body. There are many ways to create a relaxing outdoor space in your landscape when you think about how you want to rest and decompress. Consider the ways soothing outdoor spaces accented with lovely plantings can achieve the peacefulness you desire.
An Outdoor Kitchen
Cooking outdoors has a distinctly different quality to it than preparing meals indoors. The fresh air, open skies, and stars after dark make cooking and eating outside an experience that is refreshing and relaxing. Expand your culinary prowess with new dishes and spend time with loved ones around outdoor meals with an outdoor kitchen.
A Sensory Experience
Cooking in an outdoor kitchen is a sensory experience. You can feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, smell the delicious food cooking, and hear the sounds of nature around you, making it very relaxing and calming.
Being Outdoors
Spending time outdoors has been shown to have many health benefits, including reducing stress, improving mood, and boosting the immune system. Cooking in an outdoor kitchen allows you to enjoy all of these benefits while also preparing a meal.
Socializing
Cooking in an outdoor kitchen is a great way to socialize with friends and family. You can gather around the grill or cooktop to enjoy appetizers and conversation while you cook and enjoy each other's company. This can be a very fun and relaxing way to spend time together.
Plantings for Outdoor Kitchens
If you have never cooked with fresh herbs or vegetables, preparing new meals in the outdoor kitchen can be the ideal time to try incorporating them into your dishes. Incorporating plantings that can add more flavor and freshness to your food is fun and exciting.
Herbs: Herbs are great plantings to add to any outdoor kitchen area as they are easy to grow and can be used to add flavor to your cooking. Some popular herbs for outdoor kitchens include basil, chives, cilantro, rosemary, and parsley but you can expand with any herbs that intrigue you.
Edible Flowers: Wow your guests with edible flowers as a beautiful and delicious addition or garnish to any outdoor meal. They can be used in side dishes, add flavor to salads, or even make tea. Some popular edible flowers for outdoor kitchens include nasturtiums, pansies, violas, and calendula.
Fire Pits
A fire pit is a great place to gather with friends and family on cool evenings. The warmth from a fire can be very relaxing and calming, helping to create a sense of intimacy and community with a warm and inviting atmosphere for conversation and laughter.
Relaxing alone is also beneficial to your mental and physical health, reducing stress levels significantly. There is something about watching a fire that is both mesmerizing and calming, helping to clear your mind and focus on the present moment.
Pergola with Seating Area
A pergola is a great way to add shade and style to your outdoor space. You can add comfortable seating underneath or hang a twin bed to create a relaxing area to enjoy your morning coffee or evening glass of wine.
Related: 6 Landscaping Ideas to Enjoy a Relaxing Outdoor Space in the Glastonbury and Southington, CT Areas
About the Author
Birch Hill Landscape & Design is a full-service, woman-owned, family-run design/build contractor that has been serving residential and commercial customers in the Central Connecticut area for over 30 years. When you see our work vehicles, you know that another satisfied customer is benefiting from our experience, passion, and commitment to quality!
