Creating your very own Balinese-influenced garden is a growing trend amongst many places around the world. If you’ve ever been to Bali it’s not at all hard to see why. The Indonesian island is paradise on earth, with its lush greenery, fabulous beaches, awe-inspiring scenery, and rich culture. The island’s otherworldly beauty and slow pace make it easy for anyone to forget the stress of daily living.
If you’ve been to Bali, it won’t be surprising that many find themselves wishing to stay forever. Since not all of us can live there, the least we can do is recreate a bit of this island style by creating your own Balinese-influenced garden. It’s pretty easy to do too and will completing transform the outdoors of your home. Just follow these five tips.
- Create a sense of seclusion
One of the many characteristics of a Balinese garden is its sense of seclusion. You can definitely relax if you’re sure there aren’t any prying eyes watching you. Creating this sense of privacy can be tricky if your neighbours live close by however it’s certainly possible to create a cozy space for your home by well thought through design. But you can readily achieve seclusion by installing timber or bamboo fencing. You can also plant bamboo and palm trees close to the fencing to enhance your garden’s secluded atmosphere.
- Choose tropical plants
You can’t really call your garden Balinese-inspired if it doesn’t have tropical looking plants in it. Aside from the bamboos and palms mentioned earlier, you can plant cordylines and ferns in your garden. Tropical flowering plants like hibiscus, frangipani, and bougainvillea will give your garden splashes of colour. If you want to make your oasis a touch more exotic, you can add orchids too. To make your garden more interesting, put two or three of your plants in decorative, Balinese pots.
- Use natural materials
The use of natural materials is central to building any Balinese-influenced garden. Putting up a bamboo or wooden fence is just one way to do it. You can give your space that desired natural look by using furniture made of timber, rattan, or wicker. Installing a wooden deck or platform works too. You can also pave pathways and other portions of your garden with pebbles or textured grey stone resembling volcanic rock. Adding unglazed pottery or statues will enhance that natural look you’re going for.
- Add Balinese-inspired decor
The right style of furniture is important when designing a comfortable, Balinese outdoor living space in your backyard. Resort style beanbags you’d often see on a Bali vacation are a great touch. Decorating your garden with Bali-inspired art, objects and knick-knacks will reinforce your garden’s Balinese influence. A statue or two won’t be out of place in the outdoor oasis you’re creating. The same goes for stone or bamboo outdoor lighting. A garland made of shells can be a nice touch. You could also try an incense burner in your garden. Burning sandalwood and citronella incense won’t just evoke your memories of Bali; the scent will also keep the bugs away.
- Install a water feature
Water is an essential element in any Balinese-influenced garden. Just be mindful of any legislative requirements where you live for example many countries enforced stringent pool policies. A great pool or water feature can heighten the sense of serenity in your space, as well as help cool down the temperature. You can build your Balinese oasis around your existing swimming pool. If you only have a small space to work with, you can install a small water fountain or waterfall instead. Putting a glass bowl filled with water on a table, with a few petals floating on the water’s surface, will work well in tiny spaces.
It’s the finishing touches that make Balinese-influenced garden amazing. Style it well and you won’t just have a piece of Bali in your home, you’ll have your very own secluded oasis, where you can relax and relive your memories of paradise on earth.