Picture this hot summer days and warm evenings, a chilled glass of rose, comfy outdoor furniture, a trickling fountain, flickering gas lights, and great company. Come on over and I will share my 10 Ideas for Creating an Inviting, Serene Courtyard Oasis.

The former owners created the great bones of our courtyard. With a little bit of creativity and some smart purchases ,we made the available space our own. You can read my post My New Courtyard Design and Sources here. We have filled in a few gaps over the last three years, and we are pretty happy with where it is at now. If you are looking to fill in the gaps in your own backyard oasis the best time to purchase outdoor items as most are on sale.

10 Ideas for Creating an Inviting, Serene Courtyard Oasis

Create an Inviting Entry

Courtyards can often be ignored and serve as a pass though to the home. Why not make it more inviting?

This entry was empty when we purchased the home.Steve made the mirror years ago out of old ceiling tile. It resided in our former wine room. The sconces were thrifted years ago. The lighting fixture was created out of a wine bottle carrier and has a battery operated candle light.

When we purchased the house this little alcove was empty as well. We thought this space called out for a console table. We set this up as a drinks table when we are entertaining so guests can help themselves to a drink upon entering. The old hat rack was in the entry of our Chualar home. The zinc bowl filled withi succulents from Atrium Mercantile and the console is from Habitat Home and Garden. I picked up the vintage sombrero on eBay, the wine hotte if from Patine. All other decorative accessories are from our collection.

Diversify the Lighting

Accent lighting adds drama to an outdoor space by creating visual interest and ambiance. Luckily the former owners added charming porch lights, string lights, and gas lights (ambient lighting) at the fireplace. We added a remote control battery operated light in the entry to the courtyard, and another battery operated light above the dining table. We also have great inexpensive citronella lights that we use during mosquito season that I will link at the bottom of the post.

Create Inviting Individual “Rooms” Within the Space

The space is rather large (approximately 600 square feet) so there is plenty of room for dining, lounging, and relaxing at the end of the day.

We created an outdoor room for our dining space. This is the perfect spot for dining alfresco as soon as warmer weather hits (decked out with fete home linens and tableware) seats six comfortable, so this is where we dine most of the time. For more information you can read my post Seven Stylish Tips on How to Host an Outdoor Dinner Party here.

This area is our main outdoor living space. We added a few design elements to make the area more cozy, like the clock above the fireplace and the vintage planters on either side of the fireplace. We often have cocktails here

Indulge in Comfy Outdoor Furniture

Comfortable furniture is a must.

The lounge chairs are from Ballard Designs and no longer available. The fabulous umbrella are from Midtown Umbrellas. They are the best I have ever owned. You can read more about them in my post Elevate your Outdoor Space with these Chic Durable Umbrellas. The accent tables are from Frontgate (on sale here). Steve drilled holes in the metal tables and the great umbrella stands from Midtown formed a wider base.

This sofa was from Pottery Barn and now discontinued. I will link the pillows at the bottom of the post

This antique bench was on the office patio of our fixer upper, fortunately it works here as well. You can see how it was used in my post Before and After Backyard Transformation here. This bench resided on the balcony of our Chualar home.

Create a Focal Point

I asked Steve what he considered the focal point in our courtyard and he chose the fountain area. I completely agree unless it is a cooler evening and then I would choose the fireplace. I love the combination of the natural materials on the stone wall and the vintage fountain.

The former owners created this beautiful natural stone wall and fountain (that they sourced on a trip to France).

Add an Inviting Fire Feature

The fireplace creates a tranquil retreat on cool summer evenings, Here it is all decked out for a fall gathering. A fire pit would be a great option if you don’t have a built in fireplace.

Vary Plantings and Containers

Mix and match your planters and container gardens for interest. Plant with a vaviety of plants. We have citrus, camelias, and a japanese maple underplanted with annuals.

The planter in the foreground came from Lowe’s. The zinc planter in the background came from Patine. We had a beautiful espaliered apple tree that died in one of the frosts this year. We replanted it this year with a Japanese maple underplanted with potato vine, sage and I can’t remember the white plant.

My brother in law makes beautiful copper trellis’ that you can find on Etsy here. He can make them any size to accommodate your particular situation.

He custom made these trellises for me. The lemon trees are finally coming back to life with the new trellises.

This vintage galvanized planter came from Atelier de Campagne. I love mixing the old and new.

Add Vintage for Character

Colin had a piece of old wood left over from his counter that he wasn’t happy with the finish. Steve snagged it, we ordered a base from Etsy, and Steve added an edge. I love the more natural look of the top versus a modern version that would be more typical. The console table provided the perfect solution for adding some decorative elements, and extra serving when we have guests. We repurposed the mirror. The candlesticks were made by Steve from old balusters. I have linked similar at the bottom of the post.

This corner arrangement is a great place for a cup of coffee in the morning.

Design a (Serene) Water Feature

Some type of water feature creates an relaxed mood and sense of serenity. This is a relaxing spot in any season. I love the warm colors of the stone and how it compliments the house’s color coat and the surrounding landscape.

Make it an Extension of your Home

Here in Paso our weather normally permits at least eight months of outdoor enjoyment. We use our outdoor spaces almost year round. We have outdoor speakers and enjoy the natural environment as often as we can.

Combine the High and the Low

We always mix high and low furniture and accessories for a collected look. I think it creates a more relaxed and personal environment.

An antique bench that was gifted to us by my brother and sister in law years ago sits next to an inexpensive home depot table with a vintage architectural element on top.

SHOP MY COURTYARD

You might also enjoy my post Tips for Creating an Inviting Outdoor Living Space.

Thank you for reading 10 Ideas for Creating an Inviting, Serene Courtyard Oasis. From incorporating natural elements such as plants and water features, to adding comfortable seating and personal touches, there are endless possibilities for creating your own personal oasis. I would love to hear about your outdoor spaces.

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