48 Great Backyard Landscaping Ideas for Your Outdoor Space

As a homeowner, having a beautiful and functional backyard is essential.

It’s the perfect place to relax, entertain guests, and spend quality time with family.

However, designing and creating a backyard that meets your needs and style can be challenging.

That’s why I’ve put together a list of 48 great backyard landscaping ideas that will inspire you to transform your outdoor space into a haven.

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From creating cozy seating areas to adding water features and lighting, these ideas will help you make the most of your backyard.

Whether you have a small or large space, there’s something for everyone.

So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and get ready to be inspired by these amazing backyard landscaping ideas.

1.Let Garden Pavers Do Double-Duty

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A few well-placed pavers are a simple backyard landscaping idea that you can DIY.

In this backyard, squares of flagstones separated by ribbons of turf serve two functions: A bold garden walkway and mini patios that can handle additional outdoor seating.

2.Add a Water Feature

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Water features, like a garden fountain or small waterfall, offer relaxing sounds while attracting backyard birds and other fascinating wildlife.

And if your backyard has drainage issues, a water feature could help solve the problem.

Here, the homeowners turned a low, damp spot into a landscaping focal point with a waterfall and stream.

3.Hide Eyesores Creatively

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It’s hard to believe, but the only view this backyard once had was of an old, oversized shed door falling off its hinges.

Instead of living with the eyesore, the owners removed the door and covered the opening with a series of vintage shutters.

They also added a pretty, weatherproof table that does double duty as a plant stand and an outdoor buffet for food and drinks when friends stop by for a backyard party.

4.Soften Your Deck

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Improve the view around your deck by surrounding it with planting beds to camouflage the leggy supports.

Here, a six-foot-wide flower border hides the deck’s underbelly and adds tons of color through the summer. 

Plus, ornamental grasses, sedum, black-eyed Susan, and other pretty perennials provide plenty of screening.

5.Elevate Your Lawn

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If you have a blank, flat backyard, consider giving it a dramatic makeover.

After the homeowners developed a more dynamic backyard landscape design centered on a two-level lawn, this previously drab space was given a new feel.

They also planted a living screen of lush tropical plants that provide a sense of enclosure and privacy to the space.

6.Make a Grand Entrance

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First impressions count.

That’s why it’s essential to pay special attention to your backyard’s entry.

Nothing ruins the view faster than a rusty gate or muddy path.

An oversized rose-covered arbor and stone patio create an elegant and welcoming doorway for family and friends in this gorgeous garden.

7.Create a Cozy Backyard Corner

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Get up close and personal with your plants by tucking in a small sitting area amid the beds.

Here, a cozy corner was created with an angled trellis and a pair of Adirondack chairs.

The tall trellis also does a good job hiding a utility pole on the nearby street.

8.Hang Curtains for Backyard Privacy

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Instant privacy!

That’s what you’ll get when you add curtains to your deck, patio, porch, or pergola.

On this colorful deck, weatherproof outdoor curtains were hung on the pergola to create privacy and add protection from the sun.

The curtains also help block the wind, so food and drinks don’t blow off the table.

9.Install a Reflection Pond

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Try this no-fail small backyard landscaping idea: Make long, narrow spaces look larger than they are by seeing some sky in a reflecting pool or pond.

The homeowners added a 6×4-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.

10.Add a Pergola

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When designing your backyard, remember that pergolas and arbors are often more effective when used as a stand-alone architectural element.

Here, for example, a pergola constructed of thick black timbers makes this small seating area look like an art installation.

Tight wire cables strung across the top of the pergola are strong enough to support heavy vines.

11.Sink Your Patio

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There’s something especially inviting about a sunken garden or patio.

Consider carving out a section to create a private retreat if you have a sloped backyard.

Here, the homeowners terraced their backyard hillside and added a brick patio below grade level.

A stacked stone wall keeps the hillside in place and provides extra seating.

12.Build an Outdoor Fireplace

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Extend the season for outdoor living by adding a fireplace to your backyard.

This open-air living room can now be used almost all winter long once the family starts a roaring fire.

And, during the summer, when it’s too hot to light a fire, the fireplace acts as a gorgeous stage for a variety of blooming potted plants.

13.Make a Multipurpose Area

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The best backyard landscape design ideas are those that can have multiple uses.

Here, the family added an inviting stone and concrete patio below their deck.

One end of the patio has a seating area surrounding a fire pit. There’s additional seating next to an above-ground spa at the other end.

14.Grow Your Own Food

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A sunny backyard is perfect for creating a food garden as attractive as it is edible.

A series of raised beds were created from repurposed cobblestones in this narrow backyard. 

Gravel paths make maintenance and access to the beds a snap.

The galvanized water trough in the center of the garden is home to aquatic plants and offers a handy spot to fill an occasional watering can.

15.Replace Lawn with Flowers

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If you love flowers and hate to mow, get rid of the lawn in your backyard and divide the space into beds and borders.

Most of the lawn was removed and replaced with brick pathways that divide a quartet of small edges in this exuberant garden.

A smaller fifth bed with a sundial sits in the center.

A rose-covered arbor and bench act as a romantic focal point.

16.Place a Backyard Pavilion

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Do you have a wedding, graduation, or family reunion on the calendar?

If so, you might want to consider adding a pavilion to 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.

Once erected, the pavilion can be left in place, removing only the fabric when the season comes to a close.

17.Include a Stylish Shed

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A backyard garden shed is convenient for storing tools, equipment, and pots.

So why not build or buy a wooden shed that you can customize to meet your needs?

They can include a potting bench, a storage area, and even a spot for entertaining or relaxing.

Plus, you can paint them to complement your home.

A small shed with French doors becomes a garden focal point in this pretty backyard.

18.Fence In Your Yard

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When landscaping your backyard, don’t forget about keeping furry family members safe.

A sturdy, escape-proof fence with a latched gate is a good way to go.

Make sure the fence is tall enough to keep your dog from jumping over.

Here, a vinyl, chew-proof picket fence encloses the backyard and keeps the family pet confined when needed.

19.Raise Up Your Plants

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Give your favorite plants better view-blocking power by growing them in raised beds or berms.

You’ll be surprised by how much more secluded your yard feels when you mound the soil enough to add a foot or two to your plants’ height.

Plus, it puts medium-sized plants at eye level. Grow extra-tall perennials to create a living privacy screen quickly.

Test Garden Tip: Raised beds or berms are also a perfect solution if you struggle with rocky, clay, or otherwise poor soil.

20.Create a Room

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If you don’t want to work on making your entire yard a private paradise, take one corner and transform it into a secluded getaway.

A simple way to do this is to deliberately place a couple of trees to form a pocket.

Here, for example, two pine trees make a hammock feel tucked away.

A redbud tree just behind the hammock enhances the effect.

21.Add a Lattice Fence

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Do you feel a little claustrophobic at the thought of fencing your yard?

Try adding a lattice fence.

It’s an ideal way to achieve privacy and enclosure without closing off your yard too much.

Simple lattice panels are perfect for showcasing climbing roses or your favorite vines.

You may find that fencing with lattice is less expensive than building a traditional fence, so you can save money.

22.Layer Plantings

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Most people’s primary goal in creating a secluded yard is to block your neighbors’ views of your space.

But you can also make it an extra-secluded yard with our private landscaping idea of layering plantings to form pockets or a living wall where you can’t see your house or another part of the yard.

That way, you can feel like you’re getting away from it all without actually going anywhere.

23.Use a Hedge

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Enjoy a wall of green by planting a hedge.

Look for evergreen varieties such as the arborvitae shown here to provide year-round screening or try types that lose their leaves in winter but make up for it by putting on a show with attractive flowers or a blaze of fall color.

Test Garden Tip: While many plants are suitable as hedges, yours will be a cinch to care for if you select a variety adapted to your climate and matures at the height and width you want your hedge to be.

24.Look for Interesting Materials

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Use an unexpected element to screen the view into your yard and enhance the overall effect.

For example, build a fence from out-of-the-ordinary materials or decorate a wall with architectural detailing.

The plexiglass used here stops the neighbors from peering in but allows light to pass through.

It also shows off textures on the other side.

25.Mix It Up

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No rule says you have to stick with one strategy for creating privacy.

So keep your landscape exciting by incorporating several types of screens.

For example, this patio uses an attractive fence and a low hedge.

A large tree casts shade and blocks the view of the patio from above.

26.Climb the Walls

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Vines are like the Swiss Army knife of the gardening world—there are so many ways you can use them. 

Plant a flowering vine like this fast-growing morning glory to cover a fence, dress up a wall, or beautify a pergola to create a colorful living screen.

27.Use Containers

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Big, bold container gardens are ideal for creating privacy, especially if you have a small space like a deck or patio.

Plus, you can find containers and plants to fit any landscape style.

Here, large metal containers hold majestic palms for a modern look.

28.Hide Behind Structures

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Let structures on your property create privacy for you.

For example, tuck an outdoor living space beside your garage so the walls block neighbors’ views.

Or site a patio or deck where it’s shielded from view by your home.

29.Plant a Tree

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A single tree can be an effective way to block a view. 

Plant a fast-growing tree to shade your space from the sun and the neighbors’ view in just a few years.

Here, a golden locust (Robinia ‘Frisia’) does double duty: It shields the yard from view and creates a focal point in this garden.

For year-round greenery, consider adding evergreen trees to your yard.

30.Decorate a Fence

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Let’s be honest: Fences can look s little ho-hum. Luckily, they’re easy to dress up with the right plants in front of them.

Here, a border of easy-care annuals, perennials, and shrubs soften a fence’s appearance.

And extra-tall perennials that rise above the fence to provide additional screening

31.Punctuate Your Yard

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Many homeowners plant trees and shrubs only around the perimeter of the landscape or as a foundation planting close to the house.

A helpful private landscaping idea is to grow them throughout the yard so you screen your space more effectively.

Test Garden Tip: Use columnar varieties if you have a small yard; they grow tall, but most columnar selections stay less than 10 feet wide.

32.Keep It Simple

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You don’t have to run a fence the entire length or perimeter of your yard. Instead, put a panel or two just where you need it.

It’s a great way to save money and add to your home’s curb appeal.

Test Garden Tip: To make a panel or two of fencing in your yard look more like a design feature, add a coat of paint to make them stand out, and use them to support an espaliered shrub or small tree, or an eye-catching climbing rose.

33.Muffle Sounds

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Privacy extends beyond your sense of sight. Install an outdoor fountain, stream, or other water feature to muffle annoying sounds.

Or look for plants, such as quaking aspen and many types of ornamental grasses, that rustle softly in the breeze.

34.Create Swaths of Color

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One easy landscape idea that’s simple to implement is to grow big swaths of the same plant for bold interest.

Here, for example, this planting bed offers a bold burst of chartreuse from a mass of golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’).

It’s contrasted (in color and texture) by a planting of blue fescue (Festuca ‘Elijah Blue’).

35.Repeat Colors and Textures

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Planting one of everything gives your garden a hodgepodge look. Avoid that by reusing the same colors, shapes, or plant varieties all around your landscape.

Here’s a perfect example: To the left of the deck, golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’) echoes the color of golden sweet flag (Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’).

The sweet flag amplifies the texture of the blue fescue (Festuca ‘Elijah Blue’), which plays off the silvery-blue color of a potted false cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Baby Blue’).

The shape of the false cypress, in turn, is a repeat of the Japanese maple next to the deck.

36.Make Plants Do Double Duty

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If your yard has limited space, it’s important to make the most of it!

One easy landscape idea that makes the best use of plants is to take advantage of those that serve more than one purpose.

This espaliered apple tree, for example, offers privacy from the neighbor on the other side, provides an attractive backdrop for the curve in a path, and, in autumn, gives a harvest of delicious apples.

37.Contrast Bold Colors

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One of the most basic, easy landscaping ideas is to create contrasts.

Also, consider color; when you pair rich burgundy-purple with chartreuse, the gold hues become brighter, and the purple tones become richer and darker.

Together, the colors are much more effective than when used alone.

38.Add a Few Whimsical Plants

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Enhance what plants do naturally.

Espalier is a perfect example of this.

Here, for example, a simple climbing rose goes from ordinary to extraordinary with careful training and pruning.

Don’t worry: It’s easier than it looks (it just takes some pruning once or twice a year) and makes a big impact.

39.Mix Materials

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You can easily add a level of interest to your yard by incorporating a variety of plants and hardscape materials.

Here, the natural feel of lawn and cut flagstones makes an eye-catching contrast against smooth Mexican beach pebbles and gravel.

The color of the flagstone mimics the beach pebbles and ties the two together; it’s an easy landscaping idea and a good example of using repetition.

40.Play with Geometry

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Take advantage of lines, shapes, and angles when reviewing your gardening ideas and laying out your yard to add drama and impact.

Here, a square patch of lush green groundcover stands out when lined with palm trees and edged in smooth beach pebbles.

This is an easy landscaping idea for the front of the house⁠, too; just run a walkway between the trees up to the front door.

41.Frame Your Garden with Hedges and Fences

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Add interest to your yard with structures.

For example, use low fences or hedges to divide spaces and give each space or room its unique identity.

Plus, the structures add interest all year long.

In this playful example, curvaceous boxwood hedges draw the eye into the garden and look attractive every day of the year.

42.Make the Most of Trees and Shrubs

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Trees and shrubs are some of the most critical players in a well-designed landscape.

It’s easy to use them to make an impact, especially if you select varieties that have colorful foliage.

Go a step further with some creative pruning.

Here, for example, sheared golden false cypress and columnar holly make for a delightful contrast against sheared purple barberry.

43.Place Garden Beds In Your Lawn

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It’s easy to plant all your beds and borders along the perimeter of your property, but adding an island bed that floats in your lawn is an easy landscaping idea for a good-looking yard.

Make island beds extra effective by adding height to the center. Plus, you need to walk around the planting to see what’s behind it, so it adds a bit of mystery.

44.Freshen Up Planting Beds With Containers

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If you have container gardens, chances are they’re on your porch, entryway, deck, patio, or balcony.

Too few gardeners consider mixing containers into their beds and borders.

Large, colorful glazed or plastic containers add a bright splash, even without blooms.

You can move them around to highlight different parts of your yard, plus it’s easy to change out container gardens each season to liven up a tired look.

45.Mix and Match Plant Textures

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Our eyes are attracted to color, and many gardeners stop there.

But an easy landscaping idea is to add another layer of interest to your garden by incorporating texture.

This landscaping idea features tidy mounds of blue fescue punctuated by an upright pyramid of Colorado blue spruce and dwarf black pine.

A potted variegated yucca repeats the texture of the grass and adds a new color.

46.Break Up Monotony With Boldly Shaped Plants

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Embrace plant shapes and use them in your landscape.

Tuck in a few tall, upright plants to draw the eye up and break up the monotony of repeated mounding shrubs and perennials.

 Design yards with weeping plants, too: They add excitement, visual energy, and a unique, graceful shape to your yard.

47.Plant Shades of Green

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Using a variety of shades of green helps add depth to your plantings.

Bright chartreuse greens (seen in these ‘Frisia’ honey locust trees) catch the eye and stand out in the landscape, especially compared to the darker, richer tones often found in evergreens.

Blue-greens add a softness and almost always harmonize well with other shades.

48.Frame a Dining Nook

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A few potted or climbing plants can go a long way to frame a small seating area.

With minimal plants, decor can do the rest of the work.

The all-weather rug transforms the stone patio beneath it, creating the feel of a small outdoor room, and the filigree metal table and chairs are accented by other metal decor and various objects made of natural materials in an attractive neutral palette.