How to Create a Calming Garden-Outdoor Meditation Garden Design Ideas
The first step to envisioning a meditation garden is to create a list of relaxing landscape ideas. Here are some key points to contemplate when planning your outdoor retreat, starting with the big picture considerations.
Size and Shape of the Garden and Main Sitting Area
Do you want to create a small meditation garden to enjoy by yourself? Or do you want to be able to host more people in your meditation space? How big is the area is available to you? A small meditation garden is just as effective as a larger one, so work with what you have!
What shape do you want your sitting area and garden to be? Is there a pattern that inspires, energizes, or calms you? Is there a shape that is spiritually significant? Is there a layout that ties in with the look of your house or feel of the garden? Perhaps you would like to off-set or soften the lines of your house. Start with what feels right, or look at some examples and see what sparks your interest!
Materials
Start by planning the focal point of your garden, the sitting area. When you visualize that space what does it look like? Does it have a polished finish with intricate details, or is it simple and natural like leaves on the forest floor? How does it feel underfoot when walking? How about when you are sitting on the finished surface? Is the surface warm or cool?
Then think about which materials would be ideal for the sitting areas, paths, and surrounding ground cover in your calming garden. Consider what materials are already available on your site or in your local area, as well as what materials tie your landscape into nearby natural areas.
Location
The case for keeping the meditation garden close to the home:
If you put the area close to the home, you will see it regularly. This might inspire you to meditate more often, as it serves as a consistent physical reminder to pause. Easy access also allows you to pop out for a quick session — and easily carry a cup of tea to your relaxation spot.
The case for placing your meditation garden further away from the home:
If the mediation spot is further from the home, it will draw you out into your landscape. This encourages solitude, silence, and connection with nature. Areas further from the home provide a retreat from technology and other distractions. The soothing sounds of nature may also be more pronounced in areas further from the home.
Sun Conditions, Wind, and Weather Sectors
What are the sun and weather conditions in your ideal location? Do you want a space that is sunny in the morning and shady in the afternoon? Maybe an area that is shady in the summer and sunny in the winter?
Ideally, you want to choose a site sheltered from strong winds and other harsh elements of nature, as these may create discomfort and distraction. But you also want to embrace spaces that have positive natural elements, such as a cool breeze on a warm day. Make sure to consider what weather patterns exist on your property. Do you have a lot of rain in your area? Consider a covered area to enjoy the sound of the rain. Do you experience frequent flooding? Don’t put your meditation garden in a swampy spot!
Sounds
Which sounds on your property would like to hear more frequently? What noises would you like to avoid? If your neighbor’s AC unit is loud and bothersome, don’t put your garden right next to it. Think of where you can best welcome the sounds of nature, like leaves rustling in the wind, birds singing, bees buzzing, or cascading water. Pay attention to the noises in and around your space, and locate your meditation garden accordingly.
Sights
Next, consider what you want to see when you relax in your space. You can think about what already provides beauty and inspires tranquility in your space. Consider colorful perennial and vegetable gardens, your favorite trees or plants, garden statues, stone work, water features, or a lovely vista. Or it could be even simpler. For example, do you want to see the shadows of leaves on the back of your eyelids when they are closed? Then place your garden under a tree.
If you don’t have an existing view in your garden, create one! These solutions can be simple. Want to see a colorful perennial border, but don’t have the space or time to maintain it? Plant a small pot full of colorful annual plants. Don’t have a sweeping view of a river? Consider a simple, pondless water feature. Any idea is scalable, and any reminder or small touch of beauty can inspire gratitude. You don’t have to go big, just be intentional.
Outdoor Meditation Garden Design Ideas-Details
Now that you have thought about the big picture items for your meditation garden, let’s consider the finer details, the elements that will personalize your space and make it unique. Here are some ideas for how to make this space your own, that you can modify to fit your taste, style, and vision.
Plants
Consider the effects of sight and sound. Would you like to design a garden full of different foliage colors and textures? Do you want to see a lot of vibrant colors? Or maybe you would like a native garden full of low maintenance plants from your area. If you like the sound of birds and bees, consider planting a pollinator garden that will attract hummingbirds, butterflies, ladybugs, and other beneficial insects. Perhaps the sound of ornamental grasses or aspen leaves in the wind soothes you. If you plant what you love, you will create a beautiful space no matter the size or other limitations. Make sure you take the seasons into account as well.
Statues and Art
There are endless possibilities for art and statues in your garden. Find something that excites you and find a place for it. A large piece can be a focal point for your design, or you can place several smaller artistic elements throughout the area.
Consider Not Changing Anything
Perhaps you want to let mother nature do her thing. If you have an area that is already peaceful and natural, you might not need to do much to make it a sanctuary. You can easily throw a blanket under your favorite tree and enjoy nature as it is. So don’t over complicate things when the goal is to get out and enjoy your space. No need to change something that is already working!
Material Reminders of Your Spiritual Journey
Put material reminders of your personal journey in your garden to prompt consideration of more abstract ideas and larger motivations for practice. These objects or design features can be small or large.
A few ideas of physical objects that can represent the intangible include:
- Herb gardens to symbolize wellness. This could be as simple as a single chamomile plant that symbolizes tranquility.
- Plants that remind you of loved ones, or of certain times and places in your life. For example, your mother loves roses. Plant the most fragrant one you can find as a reminder of her.
- Vegetable gardens to represent the Earth’s abundance.
- Wind chimes to remind you that things are always changing.
- A candle to symbolize a guiding light.
- Singing bowls prompting you to be present.
There are as many options as there are ideas. Anything can serve as a reminder of your inward journey. Place elements in your meditation garden that will serve as a catalyst for peace and reflection.
Use these ideas and the design example as a guideline to get started on your meditation garden plan. Remember to make your space unique to your journey, and don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.