The weary-eyed desert traveler with sun-chapped lips stares longingly across a desolate expanse of barchan dunes when suddenly he sees a blue glimmer. An oasis is near, and the essential pools of life-quenching water await his lips. But is it real?
While the old trope of wandering through the desert and the elusive oasis is a part of popular literature, having your own backyard oasis doesn’t have to be so dramatic. In fact, it can be quite a fun backyard remodel–dying of thirst not included.
Today, backyards have become a safe haven for many homeowners, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. And adding an oasis vibe to your backyard not only offers you an aesthetically appealing environment but can also add significant value to your home.
If you’re ready to relax into the ultimate backyard oasis, the following will detail 3 essentials that you’ll want to incorporate.
Wading Pools
No backyard oasis is going to be complete without a wading pool to cool you off during the long, hot summer months. And the great part about wading pools is that they don’t need to be too elaborate.
But in order to build a wading pool, you’ll either have to bring in the help of a contractor, or do it on your own. And if you’re the DIY type, you’ll also need the proper tools which will likely include a variety of digging tools and a method of transporting your materials and equipment such as an affordable work truck.
Wading pools can be small and cozy, complemented by an earthen bank of reeds, lilies, or other garden elements. Or they can be elaborate “rivers” that flow across the width of your backyard. Basically, it’s all up to your personal style (and your budget) concerning the style of your wading pool.
Water Gardens
Water gardens are the perfect design elements that add that unique oasis element to any backyard area. And believe it or not, many water gardens are actually simple to build.
A water garden can be as simple as a few cherub statues that spit out water on occasion, or you could build an entire waterfall design using natural stone. Wooden barrels with overflowing water into surrounding pools are also common design themes you might consider, as are hanging gardens equipped with a misting apparatus that can give off that rain forest vibe.
Water gardens are also a great way to cool the air in your backyard, almost like having your own special microclimate all to yourself that you can regulate.
Additionally, water gardens can be incorporated into any area of the backyard, such as a nearby deck or lounge area, or near a wading pool.
Shade and Canopies
You’re not really in an oasis unless you can be comfortable. And when you’re looking for a cool place to relax away from the overhead sun, having adequate shade is essential to comfort.
A true oasis offers palm trees, coconut palms, or other means of shade in small quantities, and you can mimic this in your own oasis design.
For example, you might not want to fork over thousands of dollars to have palm trees in your backyard, and your local climate might not support them. Regardless, you could build a pergola, plant smaller trees that provide shade or build a canopy.
Building a canopy of any kind will be up to your own personal style. But most can be easily built using common materials such as bamboo, canvas, linen, wood, or a variety of other materials. Basically, facilitating a bit of shade is the idea behind the perfect canopy, regardless of style.
You don’t have to wander aimlessly across a sea of dunes in order to enjoy the magic of an oasis. And having a backyard oasis is a great way to not only enjoy the natural world, but it also offers you the perfect area to relax your cares away.