Choosing the right place

It is important that the lounge area is located in the right place: this determines whether nothing will interfere with your rest and whether it itself will not become a thorn in the landscape design.

There are certain requirements that will make it easier for you to choose a place to relax on your summer cottage:

  • Aesthetics. It is important to arrange the area in a beautiful place and take care in advance that those in it have a beautiful view. A lawn, an artificial pond, a multi-tiered flowerbed can be located nearby. But no sheds, manure heaps or other household details should be visible.
  • Sun protection. Few people will like to constantly be in a recreation area under the scorching sun. In summer, on the contrary, you want to hide from the heat in the shade – for this, either choose a shaded corner of the garden with fruit trees, or put up a canopy.

Advice! If the recreation area is planned to be used, including for sunbathing, leave part of the territory in the sun – do not close it with a canopy.

8 ideas on how to create shade on the site

  • Protection from rain. This is not relevant for every recreation area in the country, but if your climate involves frequent precipitation, think about a closed gazebo instead of a patio or a pergola without a roof.
  • Shelter. From curious neighbors, street noise and dust. This rule naturally assumes distance from the front entrance, road and fence. You can also fence yourself off artificially – for example, with a hedge or a decorative screen covered with vines.
  • Proximity to the house. The further the recreation area at the dacha is located from the main building, the more energy and time you will have to spend on trips there and back. Please note that you will need to take out snacks and drinks, bring in dirty dishes, etc.

lounge area with a hammock

The photo shows a lounge area with a hammock

rest area in a wooden house pergola in the garden simple recreation area at the dacha

Designers highlight 3 suitable places on a dacha plot for relaxing in the garden:

  • At the back of the house. It is especially convenient if this part contains the kitchen and has a separate entrance. The recreation area can be in the form of a veranda, terrace, patio or a slightly remote open or closed gazebo.
  • Under the trees, further from the house. You will have to go far to the kitchen or toilet, but you will get the coziest relaxation corner in the country.
  • Under the canopy in the opposite corner of the yard. Often the relaxation area is adjacent not to the house, but, for example, to the bathhouse. Usually the area next to it is larger and more open, there is no road or parking.

rest area by the fence rest area with a canopy

Determining the type

The placement of the rest area is also influenced by its type: an open rest area at the dacha requires one set of conditions, while a closed one requires completely different ones.

Terrace

It is often confused with a veranda, but both designs are suitable for relaxing in the garden. The main difference between a terrace and a veranda is that the first is located separately, and the second is an extension to the house.

The undeniable convenience of a veranda is its close location to the living space – to take out a blanket or food you do not have to walk around the entire site. But guests sitting on the terrace will not disturb those sleeping in the house, due to the distance from the bedroom windows.

A terrace usually consists of a wooden base, supporting pillars and a roof. Sometimes decorative railings are erected or lattice walls are made. If desired, the structure can be left completely open so that nothing interferes with your sunbathing.

veranda by the house veranda with pergola open terrace at the dacha

The photo shows the dining room at open terrace

Pergola

It is somewhat reminiscent of a terrace – a platform with supports and a roof located away from the house. The main difference is in the roof structure – in a pergola, its role is performed by a lattice, which can be left as is or climbing plants can be let along it.

In the first case, you will get a slight shading effect, but there will be no full protection from rain and sun. In the second, plants will create a natural roof over time and will hardly let in rays and precipitation.

Pergolas are usually made of wood, their stylish and modern appearance will be an excellent accent in landscape design.

rest area under the pergola pergola pergola

Gazebo

The classic design of a recreation area on a summer cottage plot involves the presence of a gazebo. They are of two types:

  • Open. It has practically no walls (at most, low railings), but is equipped with a roof. It is used only in the warm season, equipped with a table with benches, as well as a barbecue and barbecue nearby.
  • Closed. It looks like a full-fledged small house with walls, window and door openings. A closed type gazebo can be summer – uninsulated, glass; and winter – for example, a grill house with a fireplace or a potbelly stove for heating.

Gazebos are made from various materials, they come in all sizes and shapes. The economy class includes simple wooden ones, brick ones are more expensive, and forged ones are decorative.

semi-open gazebo for a summer house closed gazebo at a summer house open gazebo with a table

The photo shows a semi-open gazebo with a table

Patio

This type of recreation area can only be arranged at the back of the house. It usually looks like an open recreation area in the country, paved with stone or paving slabs.

A small dining area with a table and chairs (it is appropriate to add an umbrella) is arranged on the territory, as well as a place for complete relaxation in the open air with sun loungers and a bar. You can decorate it with flowerpots, lights, and water sources.

patio in the garden with a fire pit patio with a stove at the dacha patio near the house

Green Room

A design innovation that involves one or more open areas with living walls. The rooms in the recreation area should be separated from each other and from the surrounding environment by fences. These can be bushes, trees, tall plants, or trellises entwined with vines.

The “floor” is grass, tiles or paving stones, the ceiling is the blue sky. There are no awnings in the recreation area, the maximum is separate umbrellas over sun loungers or a table. Therefore, garden furniture should be as practical as possible – not afraid of moisture, temperature fluctuations, scorching sun, insects.

Advice! Are you planning to arrange a recreation area for different purposes? Divide the rooms and equip each in its own way: a dining room, a playroom, a lounge. This could be a whole apartment in the open air.

green room in the garden garden landscaping rest area behind a hedge

The photo shows sun loungers behind a hedge

Area for active recreation

If you prefer sports to barbecues and get-togethers, adjust your recreation area to your habits. An active recreation area in the garden requires a sports ground: it can be separate (a football field, tennis court, volleyball or basketball platform), or universal – an area with goals, rings, nets.

Important! To make the area usable in winter as a skating rink or hockey rink, make a low fence and locate the area near the water supply.

For the little members of the family, you need a special playground with swings, climbing frames, slides, a sandbox and other entertainment.

sports ground at the dacha football field on the plot gym in the garden

The photo shows a gym on the site

We arrange a recreation area

The layout and furnishing of an outdoor recreation area depends primarily on its purpose.

If the main purpose of creating such a place for recreation is lunches and dinners, you will need a large table, chairs, armchairs or sofas.

A place for recreation that involves relaxation is equipped with comfortable sofas and sun loungers. For a living room-style recreation area, low wicker furniture with pillows and a coffee table with a fireplace in the middle is suitable.

dining area outside in the house dining area with an umbrella in the country rest area in the country with a sofa

A regular hammock will add coziness – it is inexpensive, but for some reason it is not used in every area. However, you can be sure that it will become a place of attraction for family members and guests and you will want to place at least one more.

Important! Keep in mind that for a hammock in the absence of trees, you will need two strong posts, which are recommended to be concreted into the ground before the construction of the site.

A swing as an additional element of the recreation area will appeal not only to children, but also to adults: especially wide ones can be used as a bench or a sun lounger.

Advice! In the green room, where the flooring is grass, you can put frameless furniture in a special outdoor fabric: a soft bean bag chair looks great in the yard and can become a favorite place for the whole family to relax.

hammock at the dacha

The photo shows a hammock on the terrace

hanging chairs on the veranda swing at the dacha

Beautifully decorated

Designing and decorating the recreation area at the dacha is an important step that will help you make the space original and unique. The following are used as decor:

  • Plants. A budget and beautiful option to add a festive mood. You can place them both inside in a flowerpot or plant them outside along the paths.
  • Lighting. Lanterns, garlands, candles will set a romantic tone for any gathering.

fencing of the recreation area modern recreation area at the dacha a place to relax at the dacha with a fireplace

  • Textiles. Pillows of different shapes, blankets, curtains will take the recreation area to a new level.
  • Reservoirs. Contemplating waterfalls and decorative ponds is calming, helps to relax.
  • Fireplaces. Organizing an open fire in the recreation area means adding at least 40% to the coziness.

decorative pond on the site

The photo shows an example of a decorative pond

stylish recreation area rustic style recreation area

A selection of budget options

The simplest recreation area that does not require investment is outdoor furniture. It is arranged directly on the ground, without making a flooring and a canopy.

An inexpensive covered terrace or gazebo is arranged from polycarbonate – this budget material is easy to process, protects from rain and sun, and is suitable for implementing an interesting design in a modern style.

a small corner for relaxing in the country pallet furniture for the country a table on the plot in the garden

If protection from rain is not so important, place the table under the grape vines – the plant creates a pleasant shade.

Tip! To avoid buying special furniture, make it yourself from pallets. Pallets can be found for free or bought inexpensively, and they are an excellent building material. Pallets are used to create sofas, armchairs, tables, bar counters, sun loungers and much more.

sofa and table made of pallets DIY cottage furniture