The Weird Beauty of Secret Gardens – And How to Create One at Home

Having your own secret garden could be a dream, but you no longer have to imagine it. Believe it or not, you can have your own secret garden anywhere, whether you live in a house or an apartment with minimal square footage. It’s all about your imagination and how you use the available space.

A secret garden can become a transformative element of your home. It could be a sanctuary where you could relax after a hectic day or even work from home in a chilled environment. It sounds like an impossible task, but here’s how to create your own.

Why Have a Secret Garden

A secret garden is a hidden sanctuary designed for your peace of mind. Don’t worry if you don’t have a yard to make it happen outdoors, though, you can also go for an indoor alternative. If done correctly, it could become your safe space away from stress, work and drama.

To many, a secret garden is about transformation and healing. Some see it as a motivator for personal growth and mindful leaving. You can take relaxation to another level, but you can also meditate, read or develop yourself into a better being.

Your garden can also be a sensory experience. If you go for natural plants, it’s about scents and feelings. If you choose artificial green walls instead, you’ll enjoy the tactile experience. Besides, seeing green is just as helpful for the soul and acts as an instant mood booster.

On top of all these, whether natural or artificial, a garden is also a connection with nature.

Now, how do you create your own private place? Here are some useful steps.

Seclusion and Privacy

While you can build a secret garden in any place (including your workplace), a bit of seclusion and privacy will help you relax. Therefore, tall shrubs or small trees are ideal. An artificial green wall is just as helpful from this point of view. You need a bit of separation from the rest of your home to build that true sense of isolation.

Layering Helps

If you get a secret garden indoors (such as on your balcony or in the hallway), your space is obviously limited. There are tips and tricks to create depth and add size. For example, you can place tall plants at the back. A wall would help too.

In front of this wall, bring some middle-height plants, then cover the ground with shrubs and other small structures. This layer makes the garden feel bigger, yet it obviously depends on how much space you have too.

Comfy Seating

A deep and beautiful garden is useless if you can’t relax in it for hours. You’ll need to be able to sit down and enjoy your time, whether with a good book or your laptop. If you have an indoor garden, the last thing you want is to sit on tiles or other surfaces that have nothing to do with nature.

The solution? Comfortable seating. If you have the space, add a bench. If you have even more space, an armchair or perhaps a small sofa will do. You should also aim for a small table set. It’s great to have your coffee, cocktail or other things nearby as you unwind.

Sensory Elements

Don’t forget about sensory elements either. Indeed, seeing all the lush does help you calm down and relax. But a few extra sensory elements can also help deepen the atmosphere. If you go for the natural variety (or even a mixture of artificial and natural), add a couple of scented plants, such as jasmine or lavender.

Wind chimes work well too, yet not everyone likes them. Perhaps you have the space for a small water feature, too, for the sound of trickling water. Any of these ideas will add to your feelings of immersion and peace.

A Hidden Entrance

A secret garden requires a hidden entrance too. If you’re doing it indoors, you may feel a bit limited, but you can still enhance it with a small pergola or an archway.

Think About Maintenance Too

Having a perfect secret garden sounds easy. There are a few simple steps to go through. Use your imagination, add a bit of style, and you’re ready to relax. But you’ll have to think about the hard part too, which is maintenance.

What happens when plants overgrow? Do you know how to look after them? Any clues about pruning? How about watering daily and managing soil drainage?

To avoid all these, most people (especially those going for indoor gardens) rely on artificial plants, walls and other similar features. They don’t need too much maintenance, but just a bit of dusting or wiping at times. Options from Designer Plants look even better than natural plants because they maintain their flawless appearance year-round.

If you’re worried about the scent, you can still add a couple of scented plants. Stick to small things that can improve the air, but without requiring too much care.

In the end, creating your own little garden (whether indoors or outdoors) requires a bit of style and the right plants.

Both natural and artificial options are great, yet more and more people turn to fake plants that look authentic. Less care, less headache. After all, you want it to be relaxing, rather than become an extra chore on your weekend to-do list.