Sometimes you need a serious immersion into the elements. And there are days you just crave the delicate scent of wildflowers or the stillness of a secret nook no one will disturb. But what if you can’t get away?

Here are 5 marvelous tips for creating your own sanctuary right in your own backyard or patio…

Tip 1. Invite all the elements

Draw in the elements with stone, water, plants and lighting ~ all beautifully honored with their own space and purpose in supporting this tranquil space. Notice how the lighting issues from below rather than above… It adds a touch of magic, doesn’t it? Like the beckoning of a secret cave.

Inviting the elements can be simple and cost-effective too. For lighting, you can use simple tealight candles to line a pathway or string garden lights around trees, low plants, or across the soil of your plant beds. For running water, use a few small fountains or build a bird bath. Begin collecting stones during your hikes or travels, or grab a few polished ones from your local Target!

Tip 2. Design Around Your Desires

What kind of experiences do you want to cultivate in your backyard sanctuary? Do you crave stillness and a sacred space to escape to or do you want to create a comforting and inspiring meeting place for chatting with friends and birthing big ideas? Try to think beyond the confines of a backyard as simply a place for BBQs and flowers. Instead, explore how you want to experience nature nearby, on a daily basis, and build around that.

A few examples…

Here a musician designed a gorgeous open air haven for playing her music and pursuing her art. How might you encourage your creations to meander outdoors? If we can coax butterflies and birds and squirrels into our gardens, why not coax your muse?

Ask yourself…

What would inspire you to work outside in the elements more often? What are your objections?

If your backyard is too hot, how could you cool it down or make it more refreshing?

If it’s too cold, how might you create a cozy, heated haven for yourself?

We personally want one of these in our O! Lila headquarters right this minute! What a gorgeous and powerfully inspired way to cultivate connection, social intimacy and playfulness while calling in Spirit for deep grounding and centering around the Fire of Life. One day we’re going to design one of these for ourselves and hold our brilliant summer evening brainstorms here… floating along a sea of jazz, flowing wine and delectable feasts…

Ahhh… but what about fostering romance? Need to breathe a bit of sensuality back into your busy life?

Oh yeah… it’s time to express your inner Fred Flinstone and Bedrock it! Bring the grounding and earth-connectedness of a romantic picnic beneath the stars right into your own backyard with a slab of rock for a patio table. Wine never stood so well.

Tip 3. Indulge in some creative landscaping

You can learn how to do just about anything yourself these days between home improvement DIY sites and YouTube. So why not get your hands good and dirty and experiment with some creative landscaping? All you need are some well-placed rocks or boulders, inspired flower beds and, if you’re really adventurous, some piping for running water!

And if you’re feeling particularly daring… design your own stone labyrinth:

 

Tip 4. Construct a family altar

This can be a sacred altar or perhaps a testament to what is sacred within your family. For example, we love this inspired and endlessly adorable altar crafted simply from stones upon a tree stump ~ yet issuing forth volumes of love, innocence and adorable joy:

Tip 5. Don’t Overthink it!

Sometimes all you need is just you; couched in a bed of flowers. Let your garden be whatever nourishes you and supports you most. Your backyard is your way of giving Nature’s Gift back to yourself again.