Gardens have now been branded the 'fifth room' with people taking more time to design and curate their outdoor spaces to become functional rooms. As well as a spot for dining and entertaining, they have become workspaces, living rooms and most recently, wellness hubs. The rich and famous are transforming their gardens into 'spa-dens', featuring everything from hot tubs and ice baths through to meditation decks and saunas. And here's why they could be on to something…
Harder-working homes
The coronavirus pandemic forced us inside our homes for longer than we care to recall, but it did make many of us adapt our surroundings to make our humble abodes work a little harder. A bedroom became an office, a living room had a daily reshuffle to make way for yoga, and you best believe that my tiny London kitchen was the greatest cocktail bar come 5 pm. While lockdown may seem like a bizarre, distant memory, its impact on our properties remains. Many of us still work from home, and more people than ever are choosing to exercise at their own address. But how about a spa day in your own garden?
© Getty ImagesA health and happiness boost
As is often the way, the A-listers are paving the way when it comes to new home design trends and swathes of stars are adding wellness elements to their gardens, taking healthy living to a whole new level. So, what benefits can this have, according to the pros?
Wellness expert and certified sound healer, Shalin Balasuriya, who is also co-founder of Spa Ceylon, explains: "For a long time, wellness was something external - a spa, a retreat, a break you took when things got overwhelming. What's changing now is the understanding that real well-being comes from consistency, not intensity."
Gardens are the perfect place for this, points out Shalin: "They introduce fresh air, natural light, greenery, and a sense of openness - all of which help regulate the nervous system and create space to reset."
© Getty ImagesHe continues: "While it may look like a design trend on the surface, it’s actually a reflection of a deeper change. People want to feel better, not just occasionally, but every single day."
© Getty Images"While it may look like a design trend on the surface, it’s actually a reflection of a deeper change. People want to feel better, not just occasionally, but every single day."
The Beckhams
© Photo: InstagramDavid and Victoria Beckham have an incredible estate in the Cotswolds, the type that could rival Soho House itself, complete with a manmade lake, a luxury safari BBQ tent and a fully fledged gym. Outside, they have their own spa circuit with a hot tub, ice bath, swimming pool and a £20,000 Estonian sauna from Iglucraft, which can accommodate five people. As a former athlete, it is not surprising that David likes to look after his health, and regular visits to his outdoor spa will make a huge difference, according to Shalin. "What makes these features powerful is accessibility. When they’re part of your home, they become part of your routine. And that's where the real benefit comes in - through regular, consistent use."
"What makes these features powerful is accessibility. When they’re part of your home, they become part of your routine."
Jennifer Aniston
Friends actress Jennifer Aniston has designed her $21 million Bel-Air mansion with wellness in mind, too. The star explained all to Vanity Fair: "I've basically incorporated all of the healing modalities in order to create a calm environment in the chaos of the wonderful industry and the world at large. "And that zen continues outside with a Japanese-style tiered garden with calming zones.
Her bathroom has an indoor-outdoor concept with bi-folding doors allowing the star to bathe with no fourth wall, and for Shalin, it is the ultimate wellness decision. "In Jennifer Aniston’s home, one of the most defining elements is the way her bathroom opens out towards greenery, alongside the use of natural stone and a freestanding marble bath. That connection between indoor space and nature is significant, it shifts the experience from something contained to something immersive."
© InstagramKris Jenner
The Kardashians/Jenners have the most incredible property portfolio, but it’s momager Kris Jenner that really steals the show with her hotel-worthy outdoor pool. As well as a tranquil turquoise pool, the feature has a special raised area for sitting and relaxing and the most amazing poolhouse we’ve ever seen. It is decked out like a dining/living room, making it the perfect place for quiet contemplation and a healthy drink after a dip. There are loungers to one side of the pool for snoozing and the whole area is surrounded by trees, creating a calming cocoon for Kris.
Ice, ice, baby
Actress Gemma Atkinson, Body Coach Joe Wicks and presenter Emma Willis are all big fans of cold therapy, choosing to have their very own ice baths in their back gardens. Taking the plunge is very on trend, but it’s not just a fad - it's backed by science. Eva Katrín Sigurðardóttir is a medical doctor and Certified Wim Hof Method instructor at Hvammsvík, and she’s told Best Quality Designer Handbag : "Cold water therapy has grown exponentially in popularity over the past few years with a committed, consistent practice including the breathing technique and cold exposure having proven to help you unlock a host of benefits. As a result, an increase in energy, improved sleep quality, reduced stress levels, heightened focus and determination, increased willpower and even a stronger immune system have all been scientifically proven as benefits of the Wim Hof Method."
© InstagramHow you can create your own wellness garden
Without forking out for a costly hot tub or craning a sauna into your garden, there are small changes you can make to your outdoor space a zen-like haven, like adding a simple water feature or setting up a comfy chair in a sun-trap corner.
© Getty ImagesFor landscape gardener, Steve Williams, the key to a tranquil space is in the plants. He's been a qualified gardener for nine years, been involved with award-winning projects and even appeared on BBC2's Your Garden Made Perfect, and he has told Best Quality Designer Handbag that "even a small space can become a sanctuary." For Steve, the more plants the better. "Get some multistem trees to create an immersive canopy and fill the rest with plants. It's not about being an expert gardener, it's about being playful, learning to look after your own space and reconnecting with a wilder way," he says. Specifically, he recommends "fruit trees like dwarf apples, plums, pears to give structure and tough perennials that are low maintenance."
