Backyard Landscape Ideas

Before you head to your local The Home Depot Garden Center to buy plants, patio furniture or landscaping supplies, you need to have a plan. You don't need to be a professional landscape designer to develop landscape designideas. An easy way to develop a landscape plan is to sketch it down on paper.

• Measure the backyard area you want to landscape and transfer the basic dimensions to graph paper.
• In one corner of the paper, mark the direction north. This will help you remember the type of sunlight that parts of the landscape get during the day.
• Mark the position of fixed features such as buildings, trees, driveways, yard entrances, hardscapes and irrigation systems.
• Sketch in areas you want to add to your landscape. Include large features like water features or hardscapes you want to add. Roughly sketch in new garden beds or areas in which you want new trees or shrubs.
• Add in the details. Color in trees, shrubs and garden beds, as well as patio areas. This will help bring the landscape plan to life. Sketch in the details of the paver stones or brick. These details will help you envision the overall picture.
• Make a list. Now that you have a plan of your landscape, you can get all the tools and supplies for landscaping your backyard.

Create a memorable walkway through your backyard with a simple path. Not only will a path guide a visitor through your backyard, you can use paths to divide large areas into several smaller, more easily managed sections. This will help create the illusion of a larger space and add architectural interest. You can use a variety of materials: pavers, crushed rock, bricks, stone or a more affordable option, mulch.

A water feature can foster relaxation and peace in your landscape. A simple water feature, such as a fountain, will attract different kinds of birds and pollinators to your garden. It’s also a good way to add an attractive focal point to your yard.

If you’ve been looking for a way to hide an air conditioning unit or an electric meter, this is a great opportunity to use a privacy screen. A screen can be a built structure or a series of planted trees or shrubs. A strategically placed trellis screen or a row of evergreen hedges can hide less attractive areas in your landscape.

If you have a deck or large, sharp-edged structures in your backyard, add perennial garden beds or native plants to soften the edges. Tall perennials such as ornamental grass, sedum, lavender or black-eyed Susan will add a soft, natural screen around a deck or retaining wall.

First impressions are lasting impressions. An easy way to set the tone and feel for your entire backyard garden is with an entryway. Nothing welcomes a guest to your outdoor space like a gate or an arbor. A gate or arbor is not just a functional outdoor doorway – it can also be an artistic statement.

A fire pit can transform your back patio design into an extension of your living space. There are many ways to incorporate a fire pit into your landscape design. You can have a stationary pit built from pavers or stone or a prefabricated metal fire pit that’s mobile. Fire pits are a perfect addition for any outdoor living space.

Create a shady resting spot in your landscape with a pergola. Pergolas add architectural interest while also providing cooling shade. If building a pergola is not in your plans or budget, consider getting a pavilion instead. Pavilions are easy to install and will quickly transform a backyard into a crowd-pleasing entertainment area. Best of all, pavilions are mobile and can be placed anywhere in your landscape without much effort.

Create a seating area on a patio or among your flower beds. Patio furniture is available in many styles and colors. Create several seating areas in your landscape so you have ample opportunity to take a seat and admire the view.

Landscape lighting can extend a living space physically as well as visually. When you add light to a dark backyard, it visually pushes the boundaries of a house and highlights the beautiful areas of your landscape. Not only does landscape lighting offer additional security and visual appeal, it allows you to use your backyard long after the sun goes down.

Grow your own vegetables and flowers. Raised garden beds are a practical and attractive way to add to your landscape design. Delineate the garden borders with edging, stone, pavers or a decorative fence for a strong visual impact. Trellises and obelisks are a great way to add hardscapes to your garden that are functional as well as beautiful.

Transform your outdoor space with a deck. Whether a raised deck or a floating deck, this outdoor structure will provide a comfortable place to relax and can even extend your entertaining space from inside to outside.

You may only need to power wash and refinish your deck for an upgraded look.

As you transform your landscape, an outdoor shed becomes a welcome backyard addition. In addition to storing tools, sheds help protect investments in big items such as riding mowers, trimmers, snow blowers and leaf blowers.

Check zoning regulations, building codes or homeowner association rules for adding a shed to your property. Then check out our guide on types of sheds to find one that’s right for you.