Zen garden ideas for a calming outdoor space

Dreaming of a zen garden? The good news is that you don't need to be a professional landscaper or have a huge outdoor space to create the perfect tranquil garden. We've tested out a few different ideas that should be easy enough to recreate at home. What's more, you can make them work for any outdoor space, big or small, including patios and balconies. So if you're struggling for inspiration on how to design your garden, fret not – we're here to help you make your transformation!

At ManoMano, we believe that there's a relaxing outdoor space for everyone. So we've come up with our best design ideas to help you out whether you have a little balcony or a sprawling garden.

No matter the size of your outdoor space, a few key items will help you to create a zen garden on a budget. If you're hoping to create a garden that's all about relaxation, focus on the following objects:

• Stones: from large decorative Japanese stepping stones nestled in grass to all sorts of pebbles, gravel and even sand;

• Trees and plants that naturally form geometrical shapes or have long leaves, like maples, palms and bonzais;

• Large ornamental features like ponds, fountains garden statues or wooden furniture;

• Small decorative accessories like rugs, pouffes and cushions as well as lanterns, wind chimes and bird feeders.

You can draw inspiration from Japanese zen gardens without necessarily having to follow all the rules of Feng shui. The most important rule is simple: keep everything natural so it looks like an imitation of nature. There's no better way to get your head around the project than drawing up your own plans. If you're not exactly Leonardo de Vinci, the best thing to do is to put together a little collage using images from DIY or gardening brochures.

Here are our top tips to create an authentic-feeling Japanese garden on a back garden scale:

• Play around with perspective: plant a large shrub with big leaves at the front of a border and play around with lower, bushy plants towards the back.

• Find the perfect natural colour combinations: team up green or red foliage with wooden garden furniture and grey stones.

• Personalise your pergola: take inspiration from Buddhist temples and dot around statues or lanterns.

• Transform your garden pond into a river: build a small wooden bridge or create waterfall effects with stones and bamboo canes.

Another way to create your own peaceful zen garden is to replicate a postcard perfect scene. So dig out those old beach snaps or take inspiration from those sunny postcards you sent to your old colleagues. Think of your garden or balcony as your own beach resort. The idea here is to create your own little paradise that really feels cut off from the rest of the world. Don't have powers of teleportation? No problem. Here are a few garden design ideas to get you off the map and onto your own private beach:

• Cover the ground with sand or white, oval-shaped pebbles: as an extra bonus you won't have to mow the lawn every four days. More time for chilling out!

• Create a shaded area using oversized exotic plants: palm trees and bananas will be your best bets here. These plants will also work as a natural privacy screen.

• Repurpose pool furniture: deck chairs and sun loungers are perfect for taking a nap or reading a good book.

• Shape a relaxing environment: consider accessories like hanging wind chimes, rugs and outdoor floor cushions.

For anyone looking for a peaceful garden, there's good news — you don't have to turn everything upside down to get it. A few quick changes can quickly make a real impact. By concentrating on a smaller area, you can design a garden that works as an extension of your home. After all, why should your outdoor space be any less comfortable than your living room?

Check out our design ideas for cosying up outdoors:

• Keep out prying eyes with bamboo hedging or green walls.

• Make your outdoor space extra cosy with egg chairs, rugs, fairy lights and lanterns.

• Make use of side tables to set down candles, a cold drink or a hot tea.

And that's that! You now have all the design ideas you need to create your own perfect zen garden.