Backyard Landscaping Ideas

Backyard landscaping is different than the front landscape in that it is typically less formal and often is designed for specific functions.




Whether you wish to have just one or two unique garden places, or a large varietyof exciting areas, you can find out here how to attain them.

It's wonderful to have a backyard garden that has a special welcoming feel to you, your family and friends.

Many homeowners strive for this type of landscape, but don't know how to come up with backyard landscaping ideas that will create just that. Here you will find many possibilities to consider. I have divided them into the following sections:

• Entertaining/Family Area
• Recreational Areas
• Specialty Gardens
• Miscellaneous

Entertaining/Family Area

This area is normally located right outside back of the house for ease of access to kitchen.

This area might be a patio, deck, raised terrace, or simply a lawn area.

A nice planting layout should be included in a backyard patio landscaping design.

Please visit my page on patio designs for some ideas on how to create a nice patio.



Here are some things to think about:

Outdoor Furniture

There are many kinds of outdoor furniture to consider. One of the most popular is teak wood outdoor furniture. It is extremely beautiful and long lasting.

If you are looking for

Teak wood outdoor furniture works well in many kinds of landscapes. It lends itself to natural landscapes due to the beauty of the wood. Many beautiful outdoor garden benches are made of teak.

It looks beautiful on stone and pavers. And of course, teak outdoor furniture is very inviting when just set on lawn.

Another nice type of furniture is wicker outdoor furniture. This can be regular wicker or one of the newer synthetic types for low maintenance.


Outdoor Kitchen Island - there are numerous outdoor kitchen designs from the simplicity of a nice grill to the complexity of adding a sink, counters, refrigerator, and even an outdoor tv!

Outdoor Fireplace - this must be designed with safety in mind.

Pizza Oven - these are a lot of fun!

Patio Fire Pits - fire pits can be built in to the paving or they can be stand alone units. Some units are quite nice, and have the advantage of not taking up space in the hot weather when it won't be used.There are also units out now which provide a combination of fire and a water feature!

Hot Tubs - A great addition to your outdoor living space! It's best to locate a hot tub near the house for ease of winter use. In addition it should be well integrated into your landscape design.

Outdoor Pergola - Garden pergolas can create what seems to be an outdoor room. They can either be set alone or attached to the house or another structure. They can also provide much needed shade. A garden pergola can be a beautiful focal point in the landscape.

Outdoor Garden Rooms

Outdoor Living Rooms

If you'd like to see some more detailed photos of backyard landscaping projects I designed, please visit any of the following pages:

Backyard Design 1
This was a huge landscape design project which was completed in 2009. It included extensive perennial flower gardens, a beautiful bluestone staircase, stone retaining walls, numerous walkways and more.

Backyard Design 2
In these pictures you will see a paver walkway leading to a two level patio with outdoor kitchen, a lovely gazebo with stone columns, and landscaping.

Bcakyard Design 3
A dry laid, geometric bluestone patio and matching walkway were designed and installed. A landing porch with bluestone steps and stone risers allowed for a nice transition to the patio. There are also stone retaining walls.

Backyard Design 4
Looking for an extensive design? This landscape includes a swimming pool, natural bluestone steps and walkways, a lovely pond with multiple waterfalls, and a pergola structure with arbor! And lots of perennials and other landscape plants.

There are many types of recreational areas that can be incorporated into backyard landscaping ideas. These may be areas for sports, games, or play:

1. Lawn area - this can be a play area for children and may or nay not include a playset.
2. Tennis - Consider optimum orientation for sun positions, standard sizes, and material choices.
3. Croquet
4. Bacci
5. Swimming Pool

If you are looking for some special additions to your garden, such as outdoor garden ornaments, sculptures, fountains, etc., please visit some of my website recommendations at online garden stores.

Specialty Gardens

Here is a variety of ideas. These may be individual areas by themselves or they might be incorporated into the rest of your backyard landscaping.

• Perennial Garden - a perennial garden design for all season color.
• Vegetable Garden - these may be at ground level or you might create raised gardens for ease of use.
• Herb Garden - these are best placed near the kitchen for convenience
• Shade Garden - if you have a shady area on your property, why not make it attractive with interesting shade plants?
• Cutting Garden - a cutting garden can be a separate area or flowers can be incorporated into other planting beds.
• Butterfly Garden- this is a wonderful type of garden for both adults and children to enjoy.
• Rain Gardens - gardens which are designed to capture excess water runoff

This is a VIDEO of one of my backyard landscaping designs using old landscape brick for the walkway designs.

Miscellaneous

• Paths through woods - if you have woods on your property, consider enjoying them by creating paths with a bench here and there.
• Area for hammock - do you have a couple of closely located old trees? You are in luck....this is perfect place for a hammock!
• Quiet sitting area

Another of your backyard landscaping ideas, and often a practical one, would be to include an attractive shed. This can be placed in a corner. Sometimes it can be an attractive focal point too. If you are interested in a garden shed or kit, a site which has creative drag and drop design tools is Garden Sheds and Garden Kits

Here is a great garden video with beautiful gardens.



Glen is another landscape designer who has designed hundreds of beautiful residential gardens over the last three decades. You can see more of his work and videos at Glen-Hampton-gardens-designs.com

Do you have questions about landscaping your backyard? Whether it be hardscape design and materials, plantings, or anything else, just ask!

Click below to see what other visitors have asked.

heaven on earth, that would be the name 
MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT 93 ACRES 3 YEARS AGO. WE ARE JUST STARTING ON OUR HOME. WE WANT TO CREATE WONDERFUL PLACES TO WALK, SWIM AND PLAY WITH OUR 4 KIDS....

landscape around garden shed  Not rated yet
We have an old garden shed that we want to paint and do landscape around it. I need some ideas. I like to look at pictures for this idea.

ANSWER
Hi ...

Landscape Designs Ideas For Total Bliss  Not rated yet
Landscape Design Ideas for Total Bliss

If I could have a dream back yard it would be with a pergola going off my back door, followed by a winding walkway ...

Front Yard Landscaping Ideas  Not rated yet
Landscaping Ideas?

Sent in by Susan From Florida
Response by Susan from Landscape Design Advice

Confusing since we are both Susan!

To Susan from ...

Landscape Dreams  Not rated yet
As a landscape designer, I both design and see many landscapes. And yes, there are some that I say "I wish I had that".

I would like a medium size pond ...

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