How to create an oasis at home

No oasis is complete without a shady glade; a supersized, rotating parasol is perfect for escaping the midday sun in summer or creating a cosy canopy in winter. String with festoon lighting or solar-powered wireless lanterns for added ambience when the sun goes down.

For shade and shelter in all seasons, opt for a louvered aluminum pergola complete with weatherproof side screens for UV protection and enhanced privacy when needed.

Create zones in your garden. Follow the sun’s path throughout the day to highlight the best place for comfy seating, or small pockets to create places to unwind. When thinking about outdoor textiles, cushions and rugs to weave into your scheme, stylist Clare Acfield suggests looking at the colours you already have in your garden and replicate in your outdoor textiles or look for complementary shades to enhance your natural setting. Placing seating and lighting at different levels also works brilliantly here, from a cosy cushion-laden den for the kids to a Moroccan-inspired casual corner for the adults.

Layer evergreen, large-leafed plants in oversized pots, natural stone features and woven textures to punctuate and add interest to your oasis. We love vintage or antique-sourced stone and burnished metal features for their time-worn patina. Garden designer Samuel Moore of Consilium Hortus also suggests the use of minimal water features as a way of enhancing the wellness aspect of your garden. “Water and lush greenery link directly to the theory of biophilia, connecting ourselves to nature has a proven benefit for our physical and mental wellbeing”.

Creating a herb wall is also a handy way of injecting low maintenance greenery in smaller spaces, ideal for outdoor cooking or livening up summer salads too. Plant aromatic basil, rosemary and oregano for a sweetly-scented space; basil in a natural fly-deterrent thanks to its stronger aroma so good for keeping the bugs away. And if you’re blessed with a larger garden footprint, take the summer scents even further with lavender, jasmine, sweet peas and lilac.