Need backyard landscaping ideas for creating a space you love to hang out in?
It’s all about choosing the right plants, hardscaping, and other landscape design elements.
And if yourbackyard has drainage issues, a water feature could help solve the problem.
Credit: Mike Jensen
They also planted a living screen oflush tropical plantsthat provide asense of enclosure and privacy to the space.
Make a Grand Entrance
First impressions count.
That’s why it’s essential to pay special attention to your backyard’s entry.
Credit: Dan Piassick
Nothing ruins the view faster than a rusty gate or muddy path.
An oversizedrose-covered arborand stone patio create an elegant and welcoming doorway for family and friends in this gorgeous garden.
Here, a cozy corner was created with anangled trellisand apair of Adirondack chairs.
Credit: Mike Jensen
The tall trellis also does a good job hiding a utility pole on the nearby street.
Hang Curtains for Backyard Privacy
Instant privacy!
The curtains also help block the wind, so food and drinks don’t blow off the table.
Credit: Edmund Barr
The homeowners added a 6x4-foot stone water feature that doubles as a seating area in this slender landscape.
They also used a black pond liner that reflects the clouds overhead.
Tight wire cables strung across the top of the pergola arestrong enough to support heavy vines.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Sink Your Patio
There’s something especially inviting about a sunken garden or patio.
Consider carving out a section to create a private retreat if you have asloped backyard.
Here, the homeowners terraced their backyard hillside and added a brick patio below grade level.
Credit: Chipper R. Hatter
Astacked stone wallkeeps the hillside in place and provides extra seating.
Build an Outdoor Fireplace
Extend the season for outdoor living byadding a fireplace to your backyard.
This open-airliving roomcan now be used almost all winter long once the family starts a roaring fire.
Credit: Laurie Black
Make a Multipurpose Area
The best backyard landscape design ideas are those that can have multiple uses.
Here, the family added aninviting stone and concrete patiobelow their deck.
One end of the patio has a seating area surrounding a fire pit.
Credit: Bob Stefko
There’s additional seating next to anabove-ground spaat the other end.
A smaller fifth bed with a sundial sits in the center.
A rose-covered arbor and bench act as a romantic focal point.
Credit: Erica George
If so, you might want toconsider adding a pavilionto your backyard.
Available at many garden centers and home stores, pavilions are easy to install.
They’ll quickly transform a backyard into a romantic hideaway or crowd-pleasing entertainment area.
Credit: Andreas Trauttmansdorff
Include a Stylish Shed
A backyardgarden shedis convenient for storing tools, equipment, and pots.
So why notbuild or buy a wooden shedthat you might customize to meet your needs?
They can include apotting bench, a storage area, and even a spot for entertaining or relaxing.
Credit: John Granen
Plus, you could paint them to complement your home.
A small shed with French doors becomes a garden focal point in this pretty backyard.
A sturdy, escape-proof fence with a latched gate is a good way to go.
Credit: Bob Stefko
see to it the fence is tall enough to keep your dog from jumping over.
Here, a vinyl, chew-proofpicket fence encloses the backyardand keeps the family pet confined when needed.
Credit: Alise O’Brien
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Credit: Robert Cardillo
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Alison Miksch
Credit: Lynn Karlin
