How to Create the Perfect Staycation Retreat in Your Backyard

Install a hot tub at home and create a lush space so you can have that holiday feel without leaving the property.

If Coronavirus has taught us anything, it’s that we can’t take travel for granted. Booking tickets for a spontaneous weekend getaway might have been the norm in the past, now we think about quarantine rules and extra hygiene measures like masks. Of course, all these measures are necessary to ensure a safe trip, but it makes planning a holiday seem like a lot of work. That’s the last thing anyone wants, defeating the point of a holiday entirely. 

Even if we’re up to putting in the effort to plan a trip, we might not have the resources to make it happen. Exorbitant ticket prices make holidays a true luxury. 

So why not bring the holiday to the house? Staycations (holidays spent at home) are a wonderful way to take a little break from our busy, daily lives without the hassles of booking tickets and packing suitcases.

Here are some tips to recreate your very own luxury staycation retreat in your backyard.

Tidy up

First things first, get your hands dirty. Clean out the backyard before thinking about how you’re going to design the space. Pull out those stubborn weeds, give the fence a new coat of paint, trim the grass, get rid of any debris that’s lying around and fix that broken bench in the corner.  Once you’ve got a clean slate you can start envisioning the yard as a space to relax in. What’s more, the simple act of cleaning it up with help change your mental approach to the yard—from a place of chaos and clutter to one of rest and relaxation.

Focal point

Now you’ve got an empty space to fill. Where do you begin? It helps to think about having one main feature around which you can build the rest of the setting. Think about your family members and what everyone might enjoy… And, what do you want?

A great option is putting in a hot tub. It’s a great way for the family to spend time together and allows you to get out of the house (and away from screens) to enjoy some time under the open sky. A long, luxurious soak in the hot tub is perfect for making you forget all your stresses and pains, thanks to those amazing massage jets.

Another bonus of a hot tub is that it can be used in any weather, including warm, sticky summer days or cool, crisp winter afternoons. Imagine sitting in your spa while the snow silently floats down around you.

Accessorise, accessorise, accessorise

Now that you’ve decided to get a hot tub, it’s time to decorate. Ask yourself: what elements would you like to be surrounded by that’ll create that luxury staycation feel?

Seasonal plants are lovely but it’s also nice to have perennial shrubs and flowers in the yard to ensure there’s greenery all year round. Some plants may flower only during certain months, but their leaves and stems stay healthy and lush through the year so your yard looks fresh and green, even in deep midwinter.

A gazebo is another option. This can provide shelter for the spa from wind and rain, and shade during the summer. It also can create a barrier between you in the hot tub and the view of the washing line, vegetable garden, or anything else that resembles working.

Some people want to be able to watch TV or listen to music while in their tub. If you have space and funds, an outdoor multimedia area will mean you can watch a movie or rugby from the comfort of your spa. 

There’s no shortage of ideas on ways to personalise your space and create a blissful sanctuary for you to unwind in. 

Ambience

Part of creating the perfect space is creating ambience. Setting the mood helps elevate a backyard experience. This can be achieved with small additions.

First, add more seating. It’s nice to be able to share the space with friends and family. A few chairs, a table, and an umbrella are the basics of outdoor seating. If you want to treat yourself, you could get a swing or create a simple barbecue fire pit. Picture this: an evening with your family that starts with a long soak in the hot tub, followed by a hearty BBQ over the fire and dinner al fresco. 

Secondly, consider lighting for a luxury staycation feel. Fairylights are lovely, as are more permanent light fixtures that light a path from the house to the hot tub.

Privacy 

Make sure you protect your sanctuary from curious eyes around your home. The screens and barriers you put up don’t have to be ugly. Think about creeper plants like jasmine which grows along a trellis and offers privacy and a lush feel. Another option is a slatted wooden screen with grooves for small pots to create a living green wall. 

Enjoy your staycation resort

Now that you’ve done all the work, you deserve to rest and relax. The best thing about a staycation is that you don’t have to worry about lockdowns, or quarantine, or masks and vaccines. 

Call us to chat about the hot tub options we have for you. If you want top-of-the-line luxury or a more economical model, we have a range with something for everyone. Create that luxury feels in your own backyard and have your own holiday escape just a few meters from your door.