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14 Zen Garden Ideas to Help You Unwind

By Yelena Moroz Alpert
Published on 07/09/23
Zen garden with a circular gate

Grant Sukchindasathien / Sara Bendrick

When designing your own Zen garden, also known as Japanese rock gardens, consider not only how all the elements harmonize but how the space can lend itself to contemplation.

"Traditionally, Zen gardens would contain some very specific elements such as rocks, sand, water, plants, and bridges but modern interpretations can go beyond tradition and focus on the intention of each element," says Melissa Reavis, professional landscape architect and residential studio director at Hollander Design. "A Zen garden should bring a sense of harmony and oneness with nature. Each element in the garden should be placed with the intention to evoke a deeper meaning."

You'll also want to create a sense of transition, which can help your mind warm up to the idea that the space is one for peaceful activities. That way an entrance—whether it is a bridge, an archway, or even a stone path through a hedge—can prime you for leaving the busy world behind, allowing you to slow down.

Here, 14 Zen garden ideas to inspire a design that will let you unwind, mediate, and take a break from it all.

Meet the Expert

Melissa Reavis is a professional landscape architect and residential studio director at Hollander Design, with offices in New York and Chicago.

  • 01 of 14

    Make It Into a Zen Living Room

    Two teak chairs next to a pond, surrounded by gravel

    Jessica Sample / Benner Landscape Design

    Landscape designer Patricia Benner of Benner Landscape Design in Los Angeles, create a Zen nook with a pebble “rug” and a grey koi water pond that is accented by field-grown olives, succulents, and a lavender variety that needs little to no water.

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  • 02 of 14

    Design a Labyrinth

    Labyrinth in a zen garden

    Charles Mayer / Hollander Design

    Few things are as meditative as walking through a labyrinth. You can make one by planting shrubbery or even caving out a path in the grass, like this Hollander Design layout.

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  • 03 of 14

    Put Down Gravel

    Zen garden back yard with fountain

    Marie Buck / Molly Wood

    The crunch of gravel underfoot sounds meditative, but it also creates a neutral blanket that makes the Zen garden easy on the eyes. Garden designer Molly Wood took the serene palette further by incorporating beige lounge chairs next to three-tiered water fountain.

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  • 04 of 14

    Build a Floating Deck

    Corner of a zen garden with deck and little sculpture

    Grant Sukchindasathien / Sara Bendrick

    To designate a Zen garden space on an existing lawn, add a few floating decks, as they work like platforms for anything from meditation to yoga. Landscape designer Sara Bendrick added tall grasses to soften the look of the planks.

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  • 05 of 14

    Incorporate a Peaceful Color Palette

    Lavender in gravel garden with rock seating and purple pillows

    Clive Nichols / Getty Images

    Gravel and stone certainly add organic elements, but you can also give your peaceful garden some personality by planting soft-hued plants like lavender and Russian sage. Accentuate the rest of the space with amethyst pillows.

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  • 06 of 14

    Bring in a Large Rock

    Backyard with stone sitting bench in zen garden

    Charles Mayer / Hollander Design

    One of the reasons Zen gardens often have large stones is because a rock is an emblem for timelessness, a symbol of eternity. Use it as a spot for meditation and reflection, like in this courtyard enclave by Hollander Design.

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  • 07 of 14

    Install a Bamboo Water Feature

    Bamboo water feature and stone lantern in Japanese garden

    LeeYiuTung / Getty Images

    Japanese gardens often have a tipping bamboo water feature. The trickling sound of water plays a role in Zen garden design as it works as a guide for spiritual cleansing.

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  • 08 of 14

    Decorate With a Buddha Sculpture

    Golden Buddha in a zen garden with path

    Charles Mayer / Hollander Design

    As Zen gardens originated in Buddhist monasteries, it is only apt to include a Buddha sculpture in your space. A symbol of enlightenment, it is also a reminder to see oneself more clearly and give your ego a break.

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  • 09 of 14

    Add Lights With Intention

    Zen garden at night with lighting

    @ladylandscape / Instagram

    Landscape designer Melanie Rekola of @ladylandscape allows the Zen garden shine, even at night, with strategically placed lights that play up the pond.

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  • 10 of 14

    Plant a Bamboo Privacy Fence

    Bamboo bench in a bamboo garden

    BasieB / Getty Images

    The rustling of bamboo plays up the senses, and can also work wonders as privacy fencing to keep out the noise (and nosy neighbors). Bonus: it is easy to maintain, so you can spend more time relaxing, not pruning.

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  • 11 of 14

    Create a Focal Point

    Circular gate into a zen garden

    Grant Sukchindasathien / Sara Bendrick

    A distinct entrance into a Zen garden not only creates a separation from the outside world, but also works as a focal point. For something unique, try circles and squares as part of the design, something Bendrick also incorporates in her work.

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  • 12 of 14

    Style a Stone Path

    Paver path in zen garden

    Renny Abraham Collection / Getty Images

    Combine small stone pavers with gravel. If you rake the gravel, it evokes rippling water, and the path can work as either a labyrinth or a way to a cozy meditative nook.

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  • 13 of 14

    Create a Zen Zone

    Buddha sculpture sitting in gravel next to a paved path

    John Keeble / Getty Images

    Even if your yard doesn't lend itself to an entire Zen garden, you can still create pockets of Zen by placing gravel and sculptures along the perimeter of your space.

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  • 14 of 14

    Add a Koi Pond

    Pond in a zen garden

    Sara Bendrick / Instagram

    Koi fish are auspicious symbols said to represent courage and perseverance. Invite these golden swimmer into your Zen garden by creating a pond, even better if you add lotus flowers, which represent enlightenment in Hinduism.

FAQ
  • How do you start a Zen garden?

    Finding a section of your backyard that already invokes a sense of calm—a space without much noise pollution or harsh afternoon light, recommends Melissa Reavis, professional landscape architect and residential studio director at Hollander Design, with offices in New York and Chicago. Then, consider your location as you gather the building blocks for the Zen garden design.

    Diana Cox, gardening consultant and founder of The GardeningTalk, recommends putting down pavers or gravel as the foundation, and then incorporating design touches such as a small statue or a lantern to create a focal point. “Achieve a sense of symmetry and balance by arranging an odd number of stone groupings,” Cox adds.

    "If you’re by the coast, choosing sand, seashells, and native coastal plants will bring you the most peace," Reavis says. "Anything that feels foreign to the native ecosystem will take you out of the moment and not allow you to connect with nature."

  • Are Zen gardens low-maintenance?

    If a Zen garden isn't low-maintenance, then it really isn't a Zen garden. While elements like gravel paths and bonsai trees do require some work, the act of raking and trimming should be a meditative experience that helps promote mindfulness and inner peace, Reavis notes.

    Cox suggests low-maintenance plant selections to keep your Zen garden serene. Bamboo, Japanese maples, Japanese cryptomeria, and Japanese arborvitae are excellent choices as they require minimal upkeep once established.

  • What is the best shape for a Zen garden?

    When it comes to the setup, a Zen garden can be anything you like, but fluid and sinuous lines tend to enhance the feeling of peace.
    As you're designing your Zen garden, also consider the energy flow of your backyard. According to feng shui principles, certain shapes relay particular chi. Note that anything too angular or perfectly rectilinear can give off a more structured demeanor, but can also give you a sense or order and balance. A circular Zen garden is all about harmony and unity.

    Perhaps the best shape for a Zen garden is one that is irregular. "A Zen garden is meant to reflect the natural world and the use of asymmetry helps reinforce that idea," Reavis says.

    No matter what shape you create, consider that how you arrange the design elements also plays a role. “The essence of a Zen garden lies not only in its shape but also in the intentional placement of rocks, plants, and elements that create a serene and balanced environment,” says Zahid Adnan, founder of The Plant Bible. “Consulting with a Feng Shui expert can provide further insight into optimizing the energy flow and enhancing the overall harmony of your Zen garden.”

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