Intimacy seems to be more and more crowded out of modern lives. Our new homes with so many gadgets, our constant interruptions by hand-held devices–how and where does one find intimate moments, not on public display? I hope to supply a few answers to this dilemma. 
A sprawling lawn has its’ appeal; however, a large modern multi-story home with an equally expansive lawn is not usually what most knowledgeable on the subject would call an intimate setting. A sizable house scrunched up on a small city lot where you look out your window into someone’s living room or onto their patio offers little opportunity for any private spots either.
Sitting in front of the tv, computer or smart phone is stealing the moments on the porch, the backyard bench and the walk in the woods from ourselves and our families. The lack of a secluded spot for personal meditation or private time with those we love is something we need to create room for if we are going to remain sane in an insane world.
The frayed spirits after a long day at work and a long arduous commute to and from beg for secluded moments, the kind that declutter and refresh the mind, the kind that can nurture personal relationships with spouse, children or friends, can be brought back if we are willing to put forth some effort. For many, landscaping and alterations to the yard are the enablers to solve this all-to-common problem of lack of being able to have private time.
We have identified a situation pleading for a solution. Here are some ideas for creating more intimate spots at your place. Trees, shrubs, hedges, fences, structures, bermed or sunken spots, planters and decorations.
Greenery veritably lowers stress (and blood pressure) and sounds of water have been proven to relax a person. Water features help with improving concentration and creativity as well. Finding a way to add water plus a lot more greenery is a big step towards our goal of creating spaces for more intimate moments.
Structures can be implemented for creating privacy. Back in the “dark ages” before there were back seats in automobiles–there was “out behind the barn”. Without meaning to create any graphic images that might be inappropriate for a general audience, let’s just say that walls and fences and gazebos and other outdoor structures can assist us in creating a more intimate spot.
Carefully located large trees can either frame a home or a scene, or they can block the view. Blocking has two meanings. We can block out with greenery things we don’t want to look at. And we can situate large trees so others can’t easily see we do in our own yards. Some have carried this concept to the extreme of the house not being visible from the street. (Sure cuts down on salesmen and trick-or-treaters! Might also keep keep the whole world from seeing your home on Google “street view”. Under the branches of large trees one can even obtain a measure of privacy from drones and others means of those wanting to look in where they have no business looking.)
Berms are used by developers of prime or golf course properties to screen noises as well as the eyeballs that drive past. A sunken garden inside a planted berm can double the impacts of the efforts of moving some dirt about. I imagine sitting around an outdoor fire, inside a retaining wall or a planted berm. Would be a cozy location to escape to for either meditation or social purposes.
Large containers of greenery, garden ornamentation, panels on coasters that can be moved about the patio or deck, those are additional ideas for ways to create a simple little intimate spot.
What can you do to enclose some spaces from the eyes of others at your place? There are more than a few options. We have touched on some of them. Creating spots for private moments out of the view of others will help make your home, yard, gardens feel more like a paradise.
The author is a landscaper. Visit www.rockcastles.net