Often overlooked, the side yard holds untapped potential for extending your living space or adding a bit of fun to your yard. Transforming this narrow strip can revitalize how you enjoy your outdoor space, whether you're aiming for relaxation, play, or a bit of both.
Here are some creative ideas to turn your side yard into a charming and functional patio or outdoor oasis.
Patio Expansion
If you find your current patio too cramped, consider expanding it into the side yard. This not only gives you more space to relax and host but also enhances the overall appeal and usability of your backyard.
A well-designed patio extension can include various seating options, from cozy lounge chairs to a full outdoor dining set, offering additional space to unwind and enjoy the outdoors.
And expanding the patio into the side yard is actually easier than it might sound!
A hardscape professional can easily extend your existing patio surface by laying down matching pavers, ensuring a seamless transition between the old and new sections. It’s a relatively simple process that can drastically increase the total size of your patio, provide ample room for additional furnishings, and bring some your backyard living around the corner, enhancing your home’s sense of welcome.
To improve the ambiance further, outdoor lighting can be installed to bring a warm glow well into evening hours. Or, to add an extra dose of nature and privacy, place planters filled with evergreens, flowering plants, or lush seasonal greenery around the perimeter.
Personal Retreat
Speaking of privacy, imagine a mini-retreat right in your side yard. With your expanded outdoor space, one part of your yard could be transformed into a tranquil escape—perhaps complete with an outdoor chaise, a soothing fountain, and a privacy fence to create a secluded haven. It’s the perfect spot for morning coffee or your evening night cap.
Here are some items to consider in an outdoor space intentionally designed as a personal retreat:
Comfortable Seating: Place very plush lounge chairs under the shade of a tree or pergola.
Soothing Water Feature: Install a small fountain in the center of the area, or off to one side. The sound of flowing water provides a calming atmosphere and masks external noises.
Lush Plantings: Think landscape design! Surround your upgraded side yard space with tall grasses, flowering shrubs, and a mix of perennials to create a spa-like environment.
Privacy Fence: Construct a high privacy fence using natural wood or decorative panels. This creates a welcome sense of seclusion in the side yard.
Personal Touches: Add accessories like soft outdoor cushions, a small side table for books and drinks, and subtle outdoor lighting for evening relaxation.
Remember, the secret to elegant side yard living is to bring the indoors out! So think like you would inside the house, and include homey touches in your personal retreat.
Game & Sports Corner
If your side yard is relatively flat, it might be perfect for a play zone.
Consider installing a jungle gym or a sandbox for the little ones. For older family members or friends, games like horseshoes, bags, or lawn bowling can provide hours of entertainment—even if space is limited. Keeping such lawn games on hand, or setting space up specifically for these activities, ads both functionality and fun to your outdoor space, making your side yard a lively hub for gatherings.
A popular example of this is a bocce ball court. This game court is relatively easy to install, requires minimal maintenance, and can fit into relatively narrow spaces, making it ideal for a side yard. The court's surface can be created using crushed stone or fine gravel, bordered with wooden beams to keep everything in place.
Bonus Tip: Make the Most of Every Inch
Turning a side yard into a functional space allows you to keep the main areas of your backyard open for larger gatherings—or simply enjoying the view.
Here are some ideas to make the most of these often underutilized areas:
Vertical Gardening: Utilize vertical space by installing trellises or garden panels where you can grow climbing plants or hang potted herbs and flowers. This not only saves ground space but also adds more green, organic beauty to the space.
Multi-functional Furniture: If your side yard space is limited, invest in furniture that can serve multiple purposes. For instance, benches with built-in storage can provide seating while hiding garden tools or outdoor games. Foldable or stackable furniture can also be a great option, offering flexibility when the space is needed for other activities.
Defined Areas: Divide the side yard into distinct areas for different activities, such as a small seating area for relaxation, a narrow path lined with fragrant plants for a walkway, and a corner for a mini vegetable or flower garden. Organization makes the space feel larger and more structured.
Slimline Storage Solutions: Consider slim sheds or storage solutions that fit snugly against a fence or wall, minimizing the footprint they occupy. These can be used to store bicycles, gardening tools, and other outdoor essentials, keeping them out of sight and orderly.
Mirrors and Lighting: Strategically placed mirrors can make a small space appear larger, and they add an interesting visual element—especially outdoors, where they’re less expected. Combine this with good lighting to make the space usable at all times of the day and create a cozy ambiance during the evening.
Pathways and Paving: Design pathways that encourage flow from your main outdoor living space into the side yard. This can make the side yard feel more integral to the overall outdoor design, rather than an afterthought. For visual continuity, use pathway materials that complement the rest of your yard.
Your side yard doesn’t have to be a forgotten space. With a little creativity and planning, it can be transformed into an exciting extension of your home.
Need more inspiration and someone to take the lead? Contact us today to learn more about our products and schedule a consultation to let us help you achieve your backyard goals.
For more inspiration, check out our gallery of our work, read more on the blog, or catch up with us on Instagram.
