We can’t think of anything more delightful than a secret patio. When you have a landscaper install a hidden patio on your Hollis, NH, property, you’ll have a sanctuary where you can instantly shut out the constant noise and demands of the outside world.
1. Privacy
Even if people don’t mean to pry, if you’re in a fishbowl style patio that’s open to the world, you won’t have the privacy you need to feel truly relaxed.
A landscaper can remedy this situation no matter where your patio is located. Not all properties can accommodate a hidden patio accessed by a lovely stepping stone path that meanders through the forest, with twinkling lights illuminating the way. But you can create a sanctuary right next to the home by installing privacy fencing that doesn’t look like privacy fencing.
Create a secret patio on a sloped lot using retaining walls that tuck the patio into the hillside: a small patio surrounded on two or three sides by masonry walls, with built-in seating around a fire feature and terraces overflowing with lush plantings behind you.
If you have a flat lot, install a privacy hedge such as cedar or Thuja Green Giant. A stacked-stone masonry wall softened with climbing vines will create an attractive wall with a lot more texture and interest than a plain privacy fence. Masonry walls are particularly stunning at night, when they are illuminated by spotlights! A teak wood-slat privacy wall where the boards are laid horizontally can make your patio feel like an upscale spa.
Related: 3 LANDSCAPING IDEAS FOR INCREASING PRIVACY IN YOUR AMHERST, NH, BACKYARD
2. Shade
An exposed patio is wonderful when you want to soak up the sun, but shade is essential, too. A landscaper can create a hidden patio tucked into a mature grove. But if that’s not an option, a pergola will add a touch of sophistication and provide much-needed shade. To make a pergola feel like an extension of the natural space, attach trellises to the sides and plant fast-growing vines. This will soften the look as well as create privacy. A pergola with a solid polycarbonate roof that lets the sunlight in allows you to enjoy your secret garden in any weather. Trees are the best way to shade a patio and make it feel intimate and secluded, so an investment into more mature trees can give you the feel you want without waiting several decades.
3. Tranquility
To soothe your eyes, opt for a monochromatic planting scheme that surrounds the patio and adds interest using textures: cultivate ornamental grasses, use shrubs and privacy hedges for a cozy feel, and plant trees that will mature into a sheltering canopy.
Water brings instant tranquility to your outdoor space. Whether it’s a tiered fountain, a waterfall or a water wall, nothing beats the sound of moving water to help you unplug. A water wall can also double as a privacy wall.
Patio materials also contribute to the secret garden feel. Rustic pavers such as flagstone, bluestone, or brick can make the space feel more as one with nature. For a hidden patio, avoid light-colored pavers that bring attention to the space. Darker-colored or earth-toned pavers will help the patio blend into the landscape. The same goes for retaining wall materials. The more you can integrate a patio into the landscape, the more peaceful and secluded it will feel.
4. Optimize unused spaces
Most yards have unused spaces that are neither a garden, nor an outdoor living space. Installing a hidden patio is a perfect way to beautify a side yard or an awkward corner that has become a default compost heap. You pay for your outdoor space, so it makes sense to use every square inch of it!
Related: ACHIEVING SYMMETRICAL BALANCE IN YOUR BEDFORD, NH, LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Image Source: Unilock
