14 Backyard Landscaping Ideas to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space

For homeowners looking to bring their backyard to life, landscaping is an easy way to add personality without completely changing your space. From small additions to larger projects, there are so many backyard landscaping ideas to choose from to make your space one of a kind.

What to Consider When Designing Your Backyard Landscaping

Although you may be ready to dive right into the world of backyard landscaping, it's important to keep a few things in mind before getting started.

• Clearly map out the size and shape of your yard, so you know which of your backyard layout ideas will realistically work in your space.
• Establish a budget so you can find features that fit within the parameters of what you want to spend.
• Research the cost of materials to understand what is and isn't possible within your budget.
• Understand the maintenance needs of your backyard design ideas, as some may add more work to your plate than expected.
• Factor in your area's climate to help you choose plants and greenery that will thrive in your backyard.

Once you've evaluated your space and budget, the fun begins. Here are some backyard landscaping ideas on how to beautify your space.

1. Create a Focal Point

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Consider adding a unique focal point to your backyard landscape ideas. Standout features like a rock garden, statue, tree, or bird bath that will catch your guests’ eye and set the tone for how they should feel in your space.

2. Add Tropical Plants for Backyard Resort Vibes

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If your climate allows, add some tropical greenery for a year-round vacation vibe. Plants like caladiums, elephant ears, and begonias can combine to create gorgeous garden beds throughout your backyard. Remember to consider your local climate and choose greenery that will thrive in your environment.

3. Use Tall Plants and Blooming Bushes for Natural Privacy

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If you value your privacy but don't want to invest in solutions like walls and screens, try adding tall greenery to your yard. Planting arborvitae trees or privet shrubs are two backyard privacy ideas that’ll create a natural barrier between you and your neighbors.

4. Add Texture with Hardscaping

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To give your backyard a more dynamic and interesting look, incorporate hardscaping elements such as gravel paths, stone patios, or stamped concrete. These elements add depth, texture, and contrast to your outdoor space and can also serve functional purposes like creating gathering areas or walkways.

5. Create an Outdoor Living Room

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Enjoy the outdoors in style by incorporating a backyard living room with rugs, furniture, or even a TV area that will make your yard the best of both worlds. All the comforts of home coupled with the fresh air will take your outdoor space to the next level.

6. Embrace the Elements With a Fire Pit or Water Feature

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Elemental focal points like a water feature or backyard fire pit offer instant visual appeal while creating spaces to gather and relax throughout the day. Just keep in mind the level of upkeep that may come with larger backyard landscaping ideas such as a koi pond, as well as the need for additional plumbing to run features like motorized fountains.

7. Define Spaces With Containers and Planters

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To combat hard-to-grow soil conditions, add visual appeal to your backyard, and even create distinct areas within your space, invest in planters that work with your outdoor style. From terracotta pots to rail-mounted planters, you can add a touch of green wherever you see fit through different planter ideas for your backyard.

8. Choose a Color Palette

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Keep your designs consistent with decorations that fall into an outdoor color palette. Try a light blue and white backyard color palette for a seaside look, or dark greens and browns for a more natural visual style.

9. Attract Pollinators with Wildflowers, Native Plants and Structural Elements

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By planting wildflowers and native plants, you can bring in pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds that will help your garden thrive while benefiting the environment. You can also add elements like birdhouses or bee houses to your design to improve your chances.

10. Create Shaded Areas With Plants and Arbors

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Make sure your guests have somewhere to get out of the hot sun by adding shaded areas. Planting trees creates natural shade, but you can also think outside the box and add an arbor covered in plant life for a hybrid between natural and man-made cover.

11. Incorporate Your Deck or Patio Into Your Landscape Design

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If you already have a deck, the look of its design will affect your space's overall appearance. (If you don't, consider building a deck to expand your landscaping options and level up your backyard.)

Backyard landscaping ideas with decks often incorporate natural-colored boards and deck shapes that complement their surroundings, or use on-deck elements such as planters to tie in the greenery of the landscaping with other areas of the backyard.

12. Use Vines and Climbing Plants to Create Vertical Interest

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Your yard's aesthetic goes beyond eye-level. Add lattices or trellises covered in climbing plants like ivy, clematis, or wisteria for a natural vertical statement piece to your yard.

13. Consider Grass and No-Mow Alternatives

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Your lawn is the base for your yard's overall look. Different types of grass have different growth patterns, preferred climates, fertilizer needs, and potential issues, so the type you choose can impact your yard’s maintenance time and overall vibe. You can also look into no-mow grass alternatives for backyards like clover, thyme, river rock, or even wood chips to create a unique look and cut down on upkeep.

14. Illuminate Your Backyard With Lighting

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Weave creative backyard lighting ideas into your design, such as railing lights, riser lights on your stairs, or even recessed lighting for a minimalist look that lets you enjoy your backyard at any time of day.

Get More Inspiration for Designing Your Backyard

• 11 Deck & Patio Landscaping Ideas 
• Backyard Patio Ideas and Inspiration
• 15 Pergola Design Ideas for Your Backyard