Ponds add to any backyard oasis by creating a more relaxing atmosphere and a tropical feeling to your living area. The addition of Koi fish to your pond will add more color, tranquility and entertainment to the pond area.
photo credit: Mr.Thomas

Koi fish are a more colorful domestic version of carp. Each Koi has very unique color patterns and watching their elegant movements in the water will fascinate children and adults alike. A well-designed Koi pond will turn any back yard into a backyard oasis paradise. Many Koi pond decorations include waterfalls, lights and ornamental sculptures.

How to decorate your backyard Koi Pond.

Water plants add to the gardens tropical look and benefit the fish by supplying nutrients and fresh air to the pond. They also give the Koi a place to relax and hide from the sun and predators. Water lilies and water hyacinth are good choices for you pond. You may also want to look at lotus plants. Make sure the plants are well established in you pond before adding fish that will be about two weeks time. Also you need to keep your Koi well fed with plants and vegetation from other sources so they won’t eat all the plants in their pond. Koi don’t eat salvinia (water velvet), so this plant is another option that you can add to your pond décor.

Install a waterfall or fountain as part of your backyard Koi pond. A waterfall ventilates the pond and supplies much-needed air to keep Koi and plants healthy. It will help keep algae under control with the movement of water. And a waterfall or fountain adds beauty through the water movements, light reflections and relaxing sounds of bubbling water. Water fountains add an elegance to the pond and backyard .  They also add air to the water helping to keep the pond clean and algea free.

Use stones to decorate around or in the pond. You can go for the natural look. I would chose interesting rock shapes in varying sizes. You can also select colorful vibrant stones from garden centers or a pet store.  Take time to arrange them in eye pleasing forms. This is a project your children might also enjoy helping you with. I would also try to set a few of the rock up so that the fish could hide or relax in them
photo credit: Mr.Thomas

By landscaping the area around your Koi pond you can make the pond look natural and like it’s always been a part of you backyard oasis. Add shrubs, flowers and other plants, both annual and perennial. If you have enough space in your yard you may want to add a stone path that leads to the Koi pond. This will lead the eye and people to your pond making it a focal point in your backyard oasis paradise.

Lights added around your pond will extend the time you spend in the backyard at night and add a mystical feel to the pond area. Tiki lights, hanging lanterns, tree lights and glass floats for the ponds are only a few of the selections you will have. Another lighting alternative are submersible spotlights and egg-shaped lights. Shop around for you best prices.

Most of all enjoy your pond and backyard oasis.

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Your backyard oasis will take on more of a relaxing atmosphere if you add a small water fountain or pond. There are many large water fountains that you can add but a small fountain made with items from your home or a local garage sale or auction will liven up a small garden area. It is one of those backyard design projects that will only take a few hours.

The following You Tube has a very easy and inexpensive water fountain that will only take a few hours to add and could easily turn into a family project. The video is easy to understand and with a few trips for supplies you could have a water fountain in your backyard in a few days.

This water fountain is easy to assemble. The cost if you have most of the items would be less than $20. What a great price for garden art that will add hours of relaxation and pleasure for friends and family that visit your backyard.

Other water fountain ideas could be an old barrel, copper pots or even teapots! I saw a 4-layered teapot fountain that was assembled using old teapots from an auction. Teacups were added to the side for accent and the entire set up cost less than a few dollars plus the price of the water pump and hose. You will only be limited by your imagination.

There is something about the sound of water splashing that relaxes most people. The addition of a water fountain is often fast and moderately priced. And the extra fun it adds to your backyard retreat is worth the time.

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A Backyard Patio will extend your living area, even if your yard is small. By combining your indoor living space with outdoor space you create a flow that gives the feel of more room. And for the best results design your backyard patio around what your backyard offers and make the most of every detail or possible problem. A hillside or stream area can even be added into your patio plans with stunning results.
photo credit: madmoiselle lavender❤ (gone for 2 weeks)

In order to get the best design for your patio you should plan out a design on paper. Your design can be simple as using graft paper or you can use some of the graft design programs available online.  If your project is big you may consider hiring a landscaper.

Another consideration in your backyard patio design is making sure it compliments your house. Traditional or formal looking houses will look nice with an older look and a classic brick patio and aged looking furniture. A cottage garden home would be inviting with a small rounded patio ringed with a decorative picket fence. While a contemporary styled house might have a patio with smooth, simple clean lines.

Shape of your patio is also important. Rounded patios, surrounded by gardens will soften the hard edges of a house and create a private feeling, almost a secret garden effect. A wide, narrow patio works well for a large garden or lawn area and gives a more stylized look. If you yard is small blend the patio off from your porch or deck and make use of your small space by growing up or in containers.

When designing, think of your patio is an outdoor room and decorate that space so it becomes as useful as another room. This will make your patio comfortable and even more of an extension to your home a backyard oasis that you are trying to create.

Color is one of the final and most important ways to accent patio space. And by adding and changing the colors you will give this outdoor haven a new and fresh look anytime you choose. You can quickly change your color pattern with a folding screen, garden furniture or containers or flowers or hanging plants. Seasons also are a wonderful time to redo a color scheme.

photo credit: mattbuck4950

Add to the fun of your backyard oasis and start to  create and design your backyard patio today. You will extend your indoor and outdoor living space and add an area for friends and family to enjoy year round. Even in my cold Zone 5 climate the colors and lines of my patio relaxes me. So grab a few magazines or go online and round up ideas for creating that perfect patio hideaway

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Principles of backyard  design can be as complicated or simplified as you want to make them. I personally like to start off with a small project, conquer that and take on another project. My backyard looks better working each project in stages without the entire yard being torn up and out of control.  I also see instant results that I can enjoy immediately.

As you plan your backyard design you can work with three basic design principles or really get into landscaping and choose up to twelve design ideas. The middle of the road design project could include five design ideas and this is where this you tube takes you.

The five principles of backyard design are:

Simplicity
Simplicity is the flow of bed lines and keeping the garden areas simple.

Rhythm and Line
The idea of rhythm and design is to have nice flow to your backyard garden areas. Keep the areas simple with smooth lines

Proportion
Pr0portion is the most difficult and challenging area in my opinion. You need to keep tall plants and trees in prop to people, buildings and trees. To often trees are bought and planted when they are small and cute and later when the tree in encroaching on the porch or electrical lines, you realize planning should have included how big the plant would grow later on.

Balance
Balance can be asymmetrical, symmetrical balanced or formal symmetrical. These stages of backyard garden design may take the most time in your planning and making decisions.

Focal Point
Focal point is something that brings your eye to one place and then leads your focus to other areas.  An example of this would be a pond, fountain or garden paths. A focal point ties all individual points together and brings harmony to the yard.
photo credit: turtlemom4bacon

The end result of any backyard design is to make your backyard living area a backyard oasis where you can relax and escape from the rush of everyday life and enjoy quiet times and family activities.

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Have your children reached an age where you need to update their children’s play area and take out the play equipment and possibly add a pool, deck or pond area for teenage parties? Has your dog or cat decided to rearrange your plants and shrubs? You may also have lost a few plants or trees to age or illness.
photo credit: mezuni

Whether your backyard is in its beginning planning stages or has reached the backyard oasis paradise that you planned there are always small projects and changes that you may need or want to make.

Backyard Ideas

• When working with your backyard its always a wise to draw up an idea and project list to keep your plans and backyard design ideas moving forward smoothly and to get the best value for your dollar.
• Is there a part of your yard that doesn’t seem to meet the needs that it was originally created for? Would a few simple changes make it usable or do you need to re-design the area?
• You may have decided that yard work takes more time than you anticipated and that adding a larger patio or a garden area with mulch and ground covers for easier maintenance would add to your backyard enjoyment and relaxation.

Backyard Projects

• Is it time to enlarge the garage, add the workshop or put up that sunroom or greenhouse you have always wanted? These projects usually are best to plan for the spring or fall when your entertaining and backyard use has calmed down and if the yard becomes cluttered with wood and ladders it won’t interfere with a party or yard work.
• Backyard projects usually take the most time and money so take extra time with their planning. You may also need to get a zoning permit or take in to consideration the effect of your project on the trees and shrubs in your backyard area.

Backyard tips

• If your yard could use a fresh look or design it’s best to start slowly. Look at a few gardening or landscaping books or magazines. Its amazing the new look you can get with just a few new shrubs or a small fence or trellis. You can even re-invent the patio with container gardening and a small water fountain.
• Plan for the future and make your new backyard design work for years to come with only a few changes needed. A perfect example for this would be if your children were at an age where they will be outgrowing toys and need less of a play area. Think of creating an entertainment area where those changes can be made easily.
• Plan for multiple uses for different parts of the backyard. Patios, garden rooms, garden areas and terraced area create separate area of a yard.and make the yard seem larger. A child’s play area can be used for adding tables for parties.
• Keep your backyard plans simple. The main purpose of a backyard is to create an outdoor living area where family and friend can enjoy quiet times or family events. Your backyard is your oasis away from the world. Keep this in mind when planning your yard.

Backyard Oasis will be sharing DIY plans for gardening, patios, and backyard buildings. So stop by to see what new backyard ideas, tips and project plans will be discussed.

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