How to create a luxury resort style backyard

Luxury resorts are designed to create experiences that make you never want to leave, so that you will keep coming back. Go one better by creating luxury resort in your very own backyard. That way you get to soak up holiday vibes all year round and don’t ever have to leave. Creating a luxury resort-style backyard is an exciting and rewarding project. It adds value to your home, and you gain beautiful and relaxing outdoor space for you and your guests to enjoy. Design principles are critical to the success of your landscaping project. In this article we will explore the principles of interaction, physical space, and integration.

When it comes to designing a luxury resort style backyard garden, these three principles are especially important. A tropical garden is all about creating a lush, vibrant environment that feels like a cohesive and natural whole. By using these design principles, you can create a backyard resort garden that feels like a true oasis. We’ll also provide guidance for you to design a beautiful and functional tropical resort style backyard garden in any climate.

Start planning and designing your own luxury resort-style backyard today, and begin enjoying your own private oasis in no time!

Understanding the design principles of interaction, physical space, and integration

Interaction refers to the way in which different elements in a garden work together to create a cohesive and functional space. This can include:

the way plants interact with each other,
how different garden features interact with the surrounding environment, and
the way people interact with the garden.

Physical space, on the other hand, refers to the actual dimensions and layout of the garden. This includes the size and shape of the garden, as well as the placement of different features within it. The physical space of a garden can have a big impact on how people interact with it, and on how well the garden functions as a whole.

Integration is the final piece of the puzzle. This refers to the way in which you bring different elements of the garden together to create a unified and cohesive whole. Integration is what makes a garden feel complete and well-designed, rather than a collection of disparate features.

So, how do you put these principles into practice? We cover that next! But first, before you begin designing, it’s important to assess your available space and budget. Consider the size of your yard, the existing features, and how much you are willing to spend on your outdoor oasis.

Interaction – Design for experiences

A luxury resort-style backyard is a backyard designed with the features and amenities found in luxury resorts. It’s a space that will be an oasis of relaxation and comfort in your own home. The perfect place for spending time with family and friends or just to escape the stresses of everyday life.

Think about how you like to use these spaces. What is it about water, outdoor dining and gardens that will want to make you never want to leave? It’s what you do and how you feel in the space that is just as important, if not more important than how it looks.

All luxury resorts have:

at least one swimming pool and/or water feature,
outdoor bar and dining area, and
garden areas.

At a minimum your design should include include:

lush vegetation,
water features,
outdoor dining areas,
walkways and paths, and
private cabana or daybed.

Inspiration for your resort style backyard features

Browse our gallery of pools, hot tubs, water features, and outdoor dining and bar areas for inspiration. Think about how the different zones link to each other visually and structurally. Take note of ideas that appeal to you and will work in your backyard. A resort style pool will most likely be the centerpiece of your design. Given that, make sure you have enough space and budget to create the pool area of your dreams. Plunge pools need not be a compromise if you have a small backyard. If cleverly designed they can still give you the luxury resort feel you are looking for. Be inspired by private villa designs rather than the full resort pool.

sun lounges on shelf of infinity pool overlooking ocean

plunge infinity pool and daybed on timber deck.

backyard swimming pool and spa with poolside cabana and sun lounges in tropical landscaping.

Next will be your outdoor dining area and outdoor living room. These can be combined if you are short on space. All you need is some comfortable lounge chairs and an outdoor table. If you have lots of room and are designing a space for outdoor entertainment, consider installing an outdoor kitchen. This can include all the usual kitchen features like a double oven, center island, dishwasher. Being outdoors you can even add a wood-fired pizza oven or grill. Outdoor bars are a fun and convenient addition to any luxury resort-style backyard. Who doesn’t enjoy a refreshing drink while lounging by the pool?

outdoor living area beside pool at back of home

outdoor kitchen with timber and rattan bar stools

Now that you have decided on the essentials, it’s time to have some fun. You can start choosing all the other functional and decorative elements to include in your design. We’ve researched the top luxury resorts around the world to bring you the best backyard resort ideas.

outdoor fire pit and chairs beside pool — Fire pits or fireplaces create a cozy and romantic atmosphere in the evenings.

outdoor cinema above pool at resort — Enjoy family movie nights in your outdoor cinema

outdoor bath with timber slat privacy screen in tropical setting — Soak under the stars in your luxurious outdoor bath

Features of a Luxury Resort-Style Backyard

Other important features include:

an outdoor spa or hot tub,
outdoor yoga or fitness area,
fire pit or outdoor fireplace,
outdoor bar or bar cart,
outdoor shower or bath tub
water activities, and
sustainability features.

Comfortable seating areas in a tropical resort style backyard garden are important for creating a relaxing and inviting environment. Seating areas can be range from benches and chairs to hammocks and swings. When selecting seating for a garden, it is important to consider the size and scale of the space, as well as the overall style of the garden. Natural materials like wood and wicker can be used to create a cohesive look with the other elements of the garden.

Private cabanas are a luxurious addition to any resort-style backyard. They offer guests a private space to relax and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors while still enjoying the comforts of a five-star resort. Day beds and sun loungers are other great ways to furnish your backyard retreat.

Outdoor showers are another essential feature of a luxury resort-style backyard. They provide guests with a unique way to refresh and cool down after a day of outdoor activities. If you have a lot of backyard space, look into an emerging luxury trend: full bathrooms

An outdoor spa is a luxurious feature that allows guests to enjoy a relaxing massage while surrounded by the beauty of nature.

An outdoor yoga or fitness area is another great feature that allows guests to exercise and stay fit while enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.

Water sports are a great addition to a luxury resort-style backyard, especially if you have access to a beach or body of water. These can include activities such as kayaking, paddleboarding, which provide your family and guests with an exciting and memorable experience. If you don’t have access to for these sports, water play areas and waterslides can provide hours of fun for kids. Your pool builder should be able to advise on suitable options and different ways to achieve the features and look you are after.

Physical space – design for proportion

When planning and designing a tropical resort style backyard garden, it is important to consider the overall layout and flow of the space. A well-designed garden should have a clear focal point, as well as a sense of balance and proportion. The garden design should take advantage of natural light and shade, and create a sense of privacy and enclosure.

Luxury resorts never feel cramped or crowded. The element of space is integral to the luxury aesthetic. If you have a small backyard you’ll need to be disciplined about the number and size of features you include. This is so that you maintain proportion in your design. If you are finding this difficult then invest in a consultation with a landscape architect or landscape designer. It will be money well spent.

outdoor kitchen beside small pool with waterfall in resort style backyard — A well proportioned design for a small backyard that doesn’t allow the pool to dominate the space

When planning seating areas, it is important to consider the placement of the seating in relation to the other elements of the garden. Locate seating areas near water features, under trees, or in shaded areas to create a comfortable and inviting space. Use outdoor pillows and cushions to create a cozy and inviting environment.

Walkways and paths are an essential part of the landscaping design in a luxury resort-style backyard. They create easy access to different areas of the backyard and link different spaces. Line them with tropical plants and foliage to create a sense of unity with the surrounding environment.

Sustainability features are becoming increasingly important in landscaping design, and a luxury resort-style backyard is no exception. Incorporate features such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and native plant species to create an environmentally-friendly outdoor space that also saves on energy costs.

Integration – design for appearance

When designing a tropical resort style backyard garden it’s important to consider the overall look and feel you are trying to achieve. Creating a cohesive look in a tropical resort style backyard garden is essential for achieving a successful design. You can achieve cohesion by:

using complementary colors,
selecting plants that have similar growing habits,
incorporating natural materials like wood and stone.

The tropical resort style is characterized by its use of lush foliage and vibrant colors. This creates a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. First, group plants with similar growth habits together to create a cohesive look. Next use layers of plants with contrasting colors and textures to create visual interest.

timber flooring flows from indoor to outdoor environment.

Adding indoor plants helps to visually link the interior of your home to your garden design. On the exterior, your garden materials should complement the existing structures. Try to blend the indoor-outdoor transition by using the same or similar flooring materials. Luxury resorts often incorporate natural materials like wood and stone to add texture and interest.

To create a luxury resort feel in your backyard, choose quality materials and construction. Quality products built to last will ensure that your outdoor space is comfortable for as long as possible and add more value to your home. Try using weather resistant outdoor furniture, pavers and stylish accents to finish off the look. Investing in durable materials for your backyard can go a long way in creating an elegant atmosphere for years to come.

Luxury resorts are all about details, so don’t forget to integrate your technology. If connectivity is essential use WiFi extenders or a mesh to ensure coverage throughout your backyard. Integrate outdoor lighting, speakers and screens into your design so that you can enjoy your space day and night.

outdoor media projector screen beside pool in courtyard

backyard resort style pool setting at night with bar, outdoor dining and lighting and striped outdoor umbrellas

Use a natural material like wood or stone throughout your design to tie different elements of the garden together. Wood is ideal to create pathways, decking, and seating areas. Stone lends itself to retaining walls, water features, and accent pieces. By incorporating natural materials, you can create a garden that feels organic and harmonious.

Plant selection for a resort style backyard garden

Lush vegetation is an essential feature of a luxury resort-style backyard. It creates a tropical ambiance and provides guests with a sense of relaxation and tranquility. You can achieve this by planting palm trees, tropical flowers, and other exotic plants. To create a successful garden it is important to carefully select plants that are well-suited for your climate and soil type.

Resort style gardens almost always include palms as the tall trees in the landscape design. Those that have extensive lawn areas may also have large shade trees. Beach style resorts tend to stick to palms and mid-low level plants. Luxury resorts typically have a mass plantings of just a few varieties of plants, plus some feature plants in pots as focal points.

Tropical plants like hibiscus, bird of paradise, and plumeria are popular choices for their vibrant colors and lush foliage. Bamboo is also a popular choice for its versatility and unique texture. It’s a fast grower and is often used to provide a privacy screen. However, it is important to research the specific needs of each plant, as some may require more water or sunlight than others.

Our Tips to Create a Luxury Resort-Style Backyard

Incorporate the essential and important features discussed above to create a truly luxurious and relaxing outdoor space.

Hiring a professional landscaper or designer can help you bring your vision to life and ensure that the features are installed correctly and safely.

Adding personal touches and accessories to your luxury resort-style backyard can make it truly unique and reflect your personality. Add outdoor artwork, comfortable seating, and decorative lighting to enhance the overall ambiance.

For more inspiration, see our article on the latest resort-inspired backyard pool landscaping ideas.