It’s easy to forget about the side yard, allowing it to become a sad alley and spot for hiding unsightly air-conditioning units.
But even if calling what’s along with the side of your house “yard” is a stretch, there are plenty of things you can do not only to improve it but also to make it space you enjoy walking through or even spending time in.
Consider these 25 elements when embarking on your weekend landscaping projects.
1. Continuity.
Exterior Worlds Landscaping & Design
In this Texas backyard by Exterior Worlds, the entire landscape is a sculpture garden. Siting some of the sculptures on the side creates a journey of discovery and delight.
2. Gate.
Outdoor Lifestyles
Of course, a gate adds security and privacy. But it can also add a sense of an alluring mystery as to what’s behind it. If you’re going to put in the time to make the side yard a destination or a pleasing path to the backyard, create a sense of drama with a gate.
3. A stretch to courtyard size.
Dennis Mayer – Photographer
This path widens to patio size by extending all the way out to the fence boundary on one side and the house boundary on the other. Beautiful roses, a fountain, and seating make it an enticing destination.
4. Interesting path materials.
STAR Architecture
Most side yards don’t have much room to play with. But you can draw the eye down the length of the space with an interesting path — whether of crunchy gravel, stately brick, or a hopscotch-like arrangement of concrete pavers.
5. Architecture overhead.
Great Oaks Landscape Associates Inc.
Another way to draw the eye away from the sides is to draw it up. Arbors, pergolas, vines, lighting — all these features will have people looking up. Architecture overhead can enhance a narrow space by defining it. The journey through it is more compressed, so the drama of the backyard opening up at the end of the procession is all the greater.
6. Water.
JHLA | Jennifer Horn Landscape Architecture
The sound of a fountain is so pleasing, and tucking it around the side will have people wondering where the relaxing splashing noises are coming from. The other advantage to a trough-like this one by Jennifer Horn Landscape Architecture is that the sound can be enjoyed inside the house.
7. Contrasting sides.
Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture
Soft bamboo and corrugated metal are material opposites, making the journey interesting along this side yard path by Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture. The change in grade keeps the trees from taking over space.
Note: Though bamboo is beautiful, be sure to talk to your nursery or your landscaper about noninvasive clumping species and planting it responsibly. I have seen it jump over deep steel planters installed in the ground and take over backyards.
8. Low lighting.
DesignBlue, Inc.
Side yards often are places you want to get through as quickly as possible at night — they can be downright spooky. Illuminate the hard work you’ve done with landscape lighting to make it a safe and inviting journey after dark.
9. Overhead lighting.
Hansen Architects
Opt for string lights overhead for more outdoor ambiance.
10. Bar.
Landsystems Landscapes
This side yard by Landsystems Landscapes makes the most of where the backyard deck meets the side yard, with a bar placed along the side, and room for stools along it. Container gardens along the wall create a nice view from the deck toward the side yard.
11. Allee.
Cullman and Kravis
This is a fancy word for an evenly spaced line of trees. Some species can thrive in a tight space. You can also create just a single line of trees on one side if that’s all your space will allow.
12. Shade garden.
Leonard Design Associates
One challenge with side yards is that often they receive no direct sunlight. We have plenty of plant suggestions and shade garden ideas to get you started.
13. Checkerboard herb garden.
Schmechtig Landscapes
This garden by Schmechtig Landscapes has a checkerboard base, with squares of pavers, gravel, and planted herbs. You will need good sunlight to pull this off with most herbs.
14. Vertical garden.
Charles C Hugo Landscape Design
If you don’t have much space to plant on the ground, look up. Vertical gardens can hang from fences and the sides of buildings. This installation by Charles C Hugo Landscape Design is a more expert level installation, but there are plenty of ways to do it, including with WallyGro wall planters.
15. Kitchen garden.
Patrick Ahearn Architect
If you’re lucky enough to have a little extra room and good lighting, consider a small kitchen garden for herbs and veggies.
16. Trellises.
Santa Rita Landscaping, Inc.
The side of a house can be boring and lack architecture — we tend not to even put many windows on a wall that faces a fence or neighbor’s house. Trellises offer another way to stretch the garden upward and add architectural interest to the side of the house.
17. Garden shed.
SBaird Design
Sometimes there’s just no perfect spot for a shed to take up residence in the backyard. Tucking it to the side can help provide privacy from the street. This Japanese-style shed by S. Baird Design stands out along the side yard. Just be sure to check your local regulations regarding where you can place an outbuilding before you do this.
18. Potting station.
SITEDESIGN+STUDIOS
Potting benches can get a little messy. Keep your garden workstation tucked away to the side, where it’s both convenient and out of the way.
19. Focal point.
Peter A. Sellar – Architectural Photographer
What a difference a cheery sunflower makes. All eyes are on this one as people walk along the side of this house. Choose a striking feature that adds a special touch to your garden.
20. Curves.
If your side yard space has a little bit of width, you may have room to throw in a curve or two. This flagstone path is inviting and keeps the side yard from feeling like a glorified dog run.
21. Terraces.
AB design studio, inc.
A side slope can present a number of design challenges that are best dealt with during the site planning process. If you are planning on new construction, don’t let your side yard be an afterthought you plan on dealing with later — work with a landscape architect to terrace or otherwise make the best use of the space before you break ground.
22. Pond extension.
Lindsey Adams Construction Inc.
Koi enjoy room to swim around. Keep them in good shape by using side yard space to expand their habitat.
23. Tucked-away seating.
The Designory
One of the advantages of a side yard’s tight space is that it can be intimate. Extending the deck across the entire width of this side yard from The Designory allowed room for an outdoor sectional to feel natural out here.
24. Tall hedge.
Arrow. Land + Structures
Hedges not only soften property boundaries and add greenery, but they also provide privacy from neighbors.
25. Knot garden.
The Todd Group
Elaborate low hedges add lots of interest and geometry to this beautiful side yard. A bronze statue at the end provides a focal point along the path and is also enjoyed from the adjacent patio on the left.
Your turn: Have you embarked on a side-yard landscaping odyssey? Let us know what you did in the Comments. Even better, share some photos.
Source: houzz.com/magazine
Recommended:
6 Creative Bathroom Tile Ideas Bathroom Tile Ideas - Tile choices can be overwhelming. Not only are there seemingly endless options in terms of material, size, shape, and color, but they're also are numerous surfaces…
The 10 Most Popular Staircases of 2022 Aside from connecting the lower and upper floors, an elegant staircase can also take a home’s design to the next level. But there are countless ways to design this key…
19 Gorgeous Potting Benches to Inspire Your Garden Plans If you’d like to grow plants from seeds and cuttings, a potting bench could be a useful addition to your garden. Need some inspiration? Take a look at these appealing…
The 10 Most Popular Bedrooms So Far in 2022 A bedroom is among the most personal spaces in a home — it’s where you start your day and turn in for the night — so getting its comfort and…
14 Crazy Cool Hand-Painted Walls Painted Walls - An accent wall can add so much color and personality to a room. These creative homeowners featured in our series used their walls as a blank painting…
30 Sensational Study Room Decor Ideas at Home Study Room Decor - Whether you’re wondering how and where to squeeze a tiny study nook into your home, or you want ideas for an awkwardly shaped home office, look…
77 Gorgeous Garden Gates What exists behind a garden gateway can be an enticing enigma, yet often the gate itself has a charm all its own. This collection of garden gates covers the map--…
16 Beautifully Organised Office Shelving Ideas Organised Office Shelving Ideas - Who doesn’t love a beautifully organised shelf? If you want to get your home office into shape, take a look at these neat, calm spaces…
The 10 Most Popular Dining Rooms So Far in 2022 Dining Room - If this latest batch of the most-saved dining room photos proves anything design-wise, it’s that traditional interiors never go out of style. From classic taupe wall colors…
The 10 Most Popular Bathrooms So Far in 2021 Bathrooms should, above all else, function well for our daily hygiene. But that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on style. And the following the most popular bathroom photos so…
50 Cool Outdoor Showers Ideas to Inspire You As days get longer and hotter, the idea of a refreshing shower outside sounds pretty good. If you think you’d like a cool outdoor shower someday, here are 50 stylish…
The 4 Most Popular Outdoor Design Ideas From Spring 2022 Beyond your residence strive. It's what welcomes you or site visitors when arriving home and also what defines your house from others on the street. It's also where you seek…
6 Ways to Cool Off Without Air Conditioning Cool Off Without Air Conditioning - Having an air conditioner is a near-must in climates where months-long heat waves are a summer season norm. And with that comes a just…
The 20 Most Popular Home Offices So Far in 2022 These days, most people get some work done from home, whether it’s handling business, finances, or a big event like a vacation or wedding. And setting up and decorating a…
12 Home Office Desks That Are Out of The Ordinary Whether you run a business from home or just use your desk for checking emails, your home office has the distinct advantage of being at home. So why stick with…
16 Bathroom Light Fixtures That Radiate Style If you’re looking for an easy way to give new life to your bathroom, consider swapping out your light fixture. A new light fixture has the ability to provide not…
The 20 Most Popular Decks So Far in 2022 Spring is a great time to improve a deck. And if you’re looking for inspiration, the following countdown of the most-popular decks far this year don’t disappoint. Pops of color,…
Top 40 3D Floor Plan Ideas Floor plans are the layout designs of a house drawn to scale. They illustrate the location of windows, walls, stairs, bathroom fixtures, room sizes, and furniture placement. Floor plans can…
15 Fun Organizing Ideas for Fashionistas It’s time for fall shopping, and you know what that means: Lookout, closet; there’s a whole lot of new stuff coming your way! Here are 15 creative organizing ideas ways…
Top 7 Winning Kitchens Color Palettes From Spring 2022 A lot enters into the design of a kitchen. A counterproductive idea for achieving a stylish space is to not overthink it. One method kitchen designers do that is by…
20 Outstanding Outdoor Living Rooms Outdoor Living Rooms - When I was growing up, “outdoor living” consisted of some aluminum folding chairs and a Weber grill. But with the advent of synthetic wicker, all-weather fabrics,…
How to Create the Perfect Study Room How to Create the Perfect Study Room - It’s September and to millions of us, that can only mean one thing – back to school (or college) with a bang.…
20 Outdoor Rooms With Entertaining Flair Summer offers a lot for us to celebrate: vacations, long days, warm nights, and visits with friends near and far. Outdoor entertaining, from lunch on the deck and happy hour…
5 Small Bathrooms That Stretch Design Imagination If there's one thing I've learned from bathroom designers, it's that successfully designing a tiny space often means shedding one's fears and inhibitions. Whether you're remodeling a compact guest bath…
The 10 Most Popular Patios So Far in 2022 The most-popular patio seating ideas in the past three months show that many homeowners were thinking about how to cozy up to their outdoor spaces for more year-round use. And…
24 Coffee Table Ideas to Give Your Living Room a Lift Coffee Table Ideas - Coffee and cake, crackers and cheese, books, and flowers. The coffee table is a vital piece of multi-purpose living room furniture that can hold and display…
Top 8 Beautiful Blue Powder Rooms From Spring 2022 With its air conditioning and also relaxing high qualities as well as organization with the large sea and skies, blue is a great color to include in the little room…
50 Picture-Perfect Powder Rooms in 2022 The powder room has long been a favorite space for designers to transform into a jewel box. Whether with bold wallpaper, an innovative sink, or sensational lighting, the designers of…