We all have such busy lives right now that it has never been more important that we all take the time to rest, relax and rejuvenate. There are many ways we can do this, from traveling to far-flung destinations, and visiting the local spa for a pampering session, to simply taking the time to sit back and smell the roses. However, to my mind, there can be few better ways to relax than in your own Zen garden.

The beauty of having a beautiful garden built for relaxation is that you can access it even when you’re not traveling, and because it’s slightly separate from the rest of your property, just stepping out into it can feel like a real change.

If you’re interested in creating a soothing Zen garden space, where you can enjoy nature and clear your mind, here are some tips you might find useful:

How Much?

First of all, you need to determine whether you want to turn the entirety of your yard into a Zen garden or if you just want to make it a subsection of the rest of the space. A Zen garden can be far too ‘barren’ for many people who enjoy lots of lawn, plants, flowers and birdfeeders, so if you’re that kind of person, creating a small Zen area where you can sit and relax might be a better idea.

Hide Your Essentials

If you read these ArmstrongSteel.com Reviews, you’ll see that there are many benefits to having additional outbuildings in your yard, particularly if you work from home or have storage issues, but these buildings can detract from the Zen-like calm of the outdoors slightly. A good way to get around this is by creating your own bamboo screens to cover up anything that you want and need in the garden, but which you’d rather not look at during your relaxation time.

Invest in a Sand Mold

Zen gardens are all about dry landscapes, of which sand is a prominent feature. Raking the sand is a great way to soothe yourself and reach a state of meditative calm in the Zen tradition. However, if you want your garden to always be looking great, you can’t just buy a load of sand and dump it in there - you need to build a mold so that the sand will stay exactly where you want it to be in the shape of your choosing. You can make your own mold using scrap wood. Then, you just need to ensure that you regularly rake the sand for the classic Zen look.

Install a Pebble Water Feature

There is something very relaxing about stacking pebbles, which is why they also feature heavily in Zen design. Of course, running water is one of the most relaxing sounds on the planet too. So, if you want to make your Zen garden as authentic as possible, invest in a Zen pebble or rock fountain, which as you can see from these Pyramid Fountain Reviews are beautiful and relaxing. If you have more time, building your own from rocks you find will be even more impressive and meaningful.

Paths and Plants

Finally, to finish off your Zen garden, be sure to create several paths, which allow you to walk contemplatively, and to add a few choice plants nine orchids, bonsai trees and bamboo are good) to give the harden some life.

Now all that remains is to enjoy your Zen garden in perfect peace!