How to Design a Resort-Style Backyard (Helpful Examples)

Imagine the feeling of unwinding at a luxurious resort. The experience is relaxing and guaranteed to leave you refreshed and rejuvenated.

But did you know you can recreate that sense of calm and indulgence in your own backyard? You can make your backyard mimic the resort vibe, where every corner feels like an escape from the daily grind.

A resort-style backyard helps you enjoy a personal retreat in your own home. It also offers a unique opportunity for those interested in luxury home exchange programs such as the HomeExchange Collection program. It makes your home more desirable to other luxury home exchangers, allowing you to offer it in exchange for palatial residences in the best locations across the world.

If you have a great backyard or you are making these upgrades, your home might be eligible for HomeExchange Collection

How do you design a resort-style backyard? Here are helpful backyard design ideas that can transform your backyard into a personal retreat:

1. Bring in lush, tropical landscaping

Resorts usually use tropical plants in their landscaping. Palm trees, bougainvillea, orchids, hibiscus, and other lush greenery and colorful blooms are used to give resort getaways natural beauty and create a relaxing atmosphere. 

For this reason, bringing lush, tropical landscaping into your backyard is one of the best ways to give the space resort vibes.  

Tropical landscapes are all about depth and layers. So, layer plants by mixing large-leaved plants with smaller plants and ornamental grasses. 

Having large and bold foliage as well as small plants will create an impressive and layered look, giving the backyard a lush, jungle-like vibe. Also, introduce climbers to fences or your pergola to create a beautiful canopy. You can also bring in lots of vibrant flowers to add pops of color and fragrance.

2. Create a focal point with a pool or water feature

Water is a main feature of resort retreats, so bringing water features into your backyard can give the space a resort vibe.

Install a sparkling pool or a tranquil koi pond to create focal points and provide a touch of luxury. These features are visually stunning. And they are also relaxing. Imagine the calming feeling that comes from floating on a lounger, surrounded by the gentle ripples of the water.

If you don’t have the space or budget for a pool or pond, use smaller water features like fountains and waterfalls to add a serene ambiance.

3. Add comfortable, stylish lounging areas

A resort is all about comfort. And your backyard can offer that resort-style comfort with inviting lounging areas. Imagine sinking into plush outdoor furniture, the soft fabric cool against your skin, with a refreshing cocktail in hand as you chat with friends or simply enjoy the view.

Gazebos, pergolas, and arbors are perfect for creating an inviting outdoor living space. If your backyard is large, a free-standing gazebo in the landscape can be a beautiful decorative feature that also provides comfortable seating. 

This is something like an outdoor room as it provides a shaded spot for relaxation and entertaining. For smaller backyards, you may use a shady pergola attached to a wall that supports the structure.

Whatever outdoor structure you use to create your outdoor living area, bring in comfortable, weatherproof patio furniture and an outdoor table. Add outdoor pillows in different sizes and patterns, and ensure you have cozy blankets on hand to make the space feel more comfortable in those cozy evenings.

4. Add an outdoor kitchen and dining area 

Grilling and outdoor dining are usually experimental offerings of resorts. Therefore, adding an outdoor kitchen and dining area to your backyard is another way to transform the space into a resort retreat.

An outdoor dining area makes your backyard perfect for hosting guests. Picture yourself cooking on a built-in grill and then dining with your guests under the stars while surrounded by the serene ambiance of your resort-style backyard.

Add a grill, a countertop for food preparation, and a sink to make cleanup easy. Also, consider adding a bar counter with high stools for casual dining or entertaining.

5. Focus on lighting for a magical atmosphere

Resorts use lighting to enhance the ambiance and create an atmosphere that immerses guests in the experience. Proper lighting can help transform your outdoor area into a relaxing and luxurious retreat, much like a resort.

Soft lighting creates an inviting environment. Imagine an evening in the pool area, where gentle lights reflect off the water and cast an enchanting glow across the space. That's a perfect setting for winding down with a glass of wine.

Use different lighting options in your resort-style backyard. Illuminate walkways or garden paths with pathway lights. Hang string lights or fairy lights around trees and fences to create a slow, magical glow in the space. Add lanterns or tiki torches to seating areas for a truly tropical vibe. 

And, if you have a pool, include underwater lighting to turn your pool into a glowing, resort-like oasis in the evening.

6. Add personal touches for a unique, relaxing vibe

Personal elements can turn your outdoor space from a regular backyard into a true resort escape.

Elements you can use to add a unique, relaxing vibe to your backyard include:

Outdoor decor

Elements like tropical-inspired artwork and sculptures will add character to your backyard, transforming it from a simple garden into a luxurious retreat. 

For example, large painted murals of a tropical beach scene can create an immersive vibe that makes the space feel like an island paradise. Also, hand-carved sculptures made from natural materials like wood and stone can give the space an authentic tropical look.

Hammocks or swinging chairs

These swinging elements immediately evoke a sense of vacation relaxation. They provide a snug place to relax, allowing you to gently sway in the breeze as you enjoy a quiet time. You may hang a hammock in a shaded area between two trees and surround it with tropical plants to create the perfect place for unwinding. 

Hot tub or spa

No resort experience is complete without a luxurious spa or hot tub. Therefore, a spa or hot tub can elevate your backyard into a true retreat. Not only do these elements add elegance, but they also provide relaxation. 

After a long day, you can step into warm, bubbling water or a soothing heat room to unwind, soak, and de-stress. Place your hot tub or spa in a secluded area in your backyard. To make the hot tub or spa feel like your own personal sanctuary, add sheer curtains or bamboo screens that can be pulled around the space for extra privacy when desired.

If you are interested in a home swap, a well-designed spa will increase your home appeal within luxury home exchange communities. For example, Home Exchange Collection members get exclusive discounts on luxury services like in-home massages. When you install a spa in your backyard, your home will become more desirable for members who may want to enjoy these premium perks in grand style. 

Learn more about HomeExchange Collection exclusive offers.

Fire pit

A fire pit adds a luxurious touch to a backyard. Importantly, it can make your outdoor space the perfect place to gather with family or friends on cooler nights. 

You can all sit around the crackling fire and enjoy cozy warmth as the night passes. For your resort-style backyard, add a gas fire pit to your patio or other defined sitting area and surround it with comfortable outdoor furniture.

Outdoor shower

This is a luxurious and refreshing feature in an outdoor space. After a soothing heat massage or some sweat-breaking activity, rinsing off under the open sky is not just rejuvenating. But it also offers a sense of freedom. For that true retreat experience, install the shower in a secluded, private corner of your backyard and have lush tropical foliage around.

Takeaway: Transform your backyard into a luxurious resort retreat

With the useful tips above and a little planning, you can transform your backyard into an outdoor oasis that offers comfort, luxury, and a sense of escape.

Adding a resort-style backyard to your luxury house will make your home more desirable to home exchangers. When you have a luxurious getaway in your home, you increase the likelihood of finding equally stunning homes to exchange for your home for your getaway experiences.

HomeExchange Collection has a verified list of luxury homeowners across the world interested in home exchanges. This makes it easier to find high-end luxury homes in some of the choicest places in the world that you can exchange for your home for a luxurious vacation experience.

FAQs

See concise answers to the most frequently asked questions about transforming your backyard into a resort-like space: 

What is a resort-style outdoor space?

A resort-style outdoor space is an area outside a house designed with lush landscaping, water features, and comfortable seating to create a serene, inviting atmosphere that feels like a vacation destination. 

What features add the most value to a backyard?

Water features (especially a pool), well-designed landscaping, and a lounging area with comfortable seating add the most value to a backyard.

How much does it cost to create a backyard oasis?

The cost of creating a backyard oasis varies greatly, depending on the features you choose to add. A simple design will cost a few thousand dollars, but a full-scale renovation with a pool, custom landscaping, outdoor kitchen, and more can cost up to $50,000 or more.

What are the most budget-friendly backyard landscaping options?

Budget-friendly backyard landscaping options include installing a simple stone pathway, planting native plants, and using simple outdoor furniture. 

What are the easiest low-maintenance landscaping ideas?

Landscaping ideas that make your backyard easy to maintain include using:

• Hardscaping elements like gravel or stone that require little to no upkeep once laid.
• Native plants that are adapted to your region’s climate and, therefore, more resilient and require less care.
• Drought-resistant plants that don’t need frequent watering.
• Ground covers like clover and creeping thyme that require less water and mowing.
• Mulch around plants to reduce the need for constant weeding and watering. 

How can I soften the look of hard landscaping?

Greenery, such as potted plants, climbing vines, and shrubs, can soften the hard edges of walls, patios, or pathways. You may also add cushions and outdoor pillows to seating areas to create a soft, inviting, cozy feel.

Should outdoor structures match my home's architectural style?

It’s not necessary for outdoor structures to match your home’s style exactly. However, ensuring that outdoor structures complement your home’s architectural style helps maintain a cohesive overall aesthetic, and this can enhance the space. 

How can I enhance the appearance of my outdoor space at night?

Proper lighting can enhance the appearance of your outdoor space at night. Consider using pendant lights to highlight key features such as sculptures or water features. String lights and lanterns can also add a magical glow to the space after dark.

Is renovating a backyard a worthwhile investment?

Creating a resort-style backyard is worth it. First, it gives you a priceless resort-like getaway experience right in your home. Secondly, it increases your home’s potential in home exchanges. Your home will become more desirable to potential home exchangers, increasing your likelihood of finding some of the most luxurious homes in the best locations across the world for home exchanges.

How can I give my backyard a tropical feel?

To create a tropical feel in your backyard, consider adding water features (like a small pond and fountains), natural materials (like stone and wood), lush greenery (like palms and ferns), and colorful blooms (like bougainvillea).

Which tropical plants complement each other well?

Tropical plants that complement each other well include palm trees, hibiscus, bird of paradise, and flowering vines like bougainvillea or passionflower. Having large dramatic leaves, small plants, and vibrant blooms in a resort-style space creates a balanced, lush look and perfectly balances greenery with pops of colors.