It’s time for that bare lawn to go.
You’re an entertainer at heart with an introverted side, and you want a backyard oasis in NZ that can flip seamlessly between the two needs. While entertaining is all about creating space for your friends and family to hang out comfortably, creating a sanctuary for yourself involves private corners, nooks, and scenic views that help lower your blood pressure.
Luckily enough, using the right NZ outdoor space design techniques can give you a garden that does both.
Here is how to design your own backyard oasis for both relaxation and entertaining, from your resident backyard gardener. We’ve curated five of our best garden entertaining ideas in this list, along with one or two tips to keep your sanctuary clean, calming, and entirely your own.
1. Zone your backyard.
First and foremost, forget that your backyard is a backyard.
It sounds odd, but even when designing a stunning backyard oasis, NZ homeowners still forget that their gardens are just like their interiors: zoning matters.
Any great garden is divided into zones, a lot like rooms. You might have a sheltered outdoor table near your BBQ for all-weather dining and entertaining, then a quiet lounge section around a fire pit, and a small water feature with a meditation space right at the bottom of your garden. Cluttering these aspects makes for a confusing space that lacks flow, taking away from that ‘oasis’ feel.
We find that the best way to create boundaries between these spaces is to use changes in ground covers and hardscaping. Changes from solid timber to stone to soft grass immediately shift the purpose and mood of a zone. So, even if there are no walls to guide, your guests immediately get a sense of where the party is.
2. Make sure you’re ready for the weather.
Any backyard oasis in NZ needs to account for one inevitable fact: rain. In winter, summer, spring, and autumn, there will always be rain. So, including climate cover in various spots of your garden as part of your NZ outdoor space design is a great idea, especially if you are the entertainer of your friend group.
Something like a retractable sail stretching across the spot in your garden with the harshest light will provide a safe spot, no matter what the weather is doing. Just make sure you don’t use solid roofing over your grassed areas, as the lack of sunlight will not be good for the lawn.
No last-minute cancellations for you. An all-weather approach means you can always be the ever-reliable entertainer, and you’ll never be relegated indoors when you want to relax in your private oasis.
3. Build in some privacy.
We don’t know anyone who can fully let their guard down when they feel observed. Many people struggle to build a backyard oasis in NZ because, no matter what they do, their neighbours can still peer over their fences and catch them unawares!
This is why privacy screens can be so powerful. They give you the space to relax, spend time on your own, or host a group without worrying that your neighbours are watching the entire evening unfold.
If timber fencing or cinder blocks don’t resonate with your design, investing in living native shrubs or tall, tight evergreen hedges can create that privacy in your oasis while keeping it as natural as possible. Your very own secret garden!
4. Focus on your lighting to build an atmosphere.
One of the best garden entertaining ideas we can share with regards to NZ outdoor space design is your lighting. We’re a subtropical country with seasons that swing wildly. So, while summer hours will give you lots of extra sunlight, winter and autumn hours can send your backyard oasis plunging into darkness by 5pm. For both entertaining and solitary enjoyment of your stunning space, that’s not ideal.
You don’t want to flood your space with a harsh spotlight as soon as the sun has set. The best kind of evening atmosphere relies on subtle, hidden light sources, ones that distinguish aspects of your garden to create a sense of differentiated space.
For example, if you want to direct attention to the trees, shrubs, and florals you’ve worked so hard to maintain, low-voltage LED spikes are an excellent way to do so. They bring a great depth to your garden, making for excellent solo wanders late at night or easy entertaining when you have large groups around.
Next, install flush, downward-facing path lights along step edges and gravel walkways to enhance safety. Finally, string warm-white festoon lighting above your dining table or pergola. This layered approach creates an intimate, high-end mood that makes people linger outside long after dinner ends.
5. Go all-out on something unique.
Just like your home’s interior, your garden should represent you. What it’s like in your space, how you want guests to feel in your home, and even how you want to feel when it’s just you and the shrubs.
When working with our clients on their NZ outdoor space design, we often find that choosing a wildcard element is the final touch a backyard needs to go from good to great. It might be a unique water feature, a quiet meditation spot, or a miniature rose garden; whatever makes your heart happy, include it. It’s a great conversation starter and a great place to entertain, and it provides the perfect spot for a bit of solo relaxation.
Build the garden sanctuary you deserve with Paramount Gardening.
We are Paramount Gardening, your elite property care partner. Whether you’re transforming your bare lawn into the ultimate entertainment space or going all-out on a calm sanctuary, our landscaping team is here to help.
Get in touch today to discuss your garden entertaining ideas and secure a free, detailed quote from us.
