5. Oasis

If you can manage it, create an oasis in your garden instead of a patio or deck. Make a water or plant feature the focus of your oasis, and build a path that circles the oasis. Create a quiet retreat by adding a hedge or shrub border to separate the area from the rest of the yard.

Remember that it can take several years for the plantings to mature, but if you’re patient, you can create a uniquely striking landscape around your home.