Side Yard Landscaping Ideas -
The Inspiration Guide

Brainstorming Side Yard Design Ideas

When you’re brainstorming side yard design ideas, be sure to consider:

• The size and shape of the area – Is your side yard a narrow walkway or a bigger part of your outdoor space?

• How you plan to use the space – Is it just a place you’ll pass through to get to your back yard or do you want to use it as a patio space or maybe to grow vegetables?

• Maintenance requirements – How much time do you plan to spend on upkeep?

• The type of terrain – Is your side yard flat or there a slope?

Low Maintenance Side Yard Ideas

You don’t have to be an experienced gardener or landscaper to have a gorgeous side yard.

When it comes to creating a space that won’t require constant upkeep, you have several options.

Utilizing stone and other hardscape materials – such as a paved walkway or rock garden – is an excellent way to achieve a sophisticated effect. 

One of our other favorite low maintenance side yard ideas involves simply planting some fast-growing trees or hedges to frame the yard as a way to add lush greenery without the need for the extensive maintenance required of other types of plant life.

Creating a low-maintenance space that looks interesting and well-cared for is absolutely possible, especially with some simple, creative elements.

For example, installing an arbor is a fantastic way to make the most of your space.

An arbor is an archway designed for branches or vines to grow around the structure. They’re a surprisingly affordable way to make an outdoor space feel truly magical, and if you choose the right materials such as plastic, vinyl, or aluminum, they hardly require any upkeep!

Small Side Yard Ideas

The size and shape of your side yard are important when it comes to choosing a landscape design.

Although more space is sometimes nice to have, bigger isn’t always better. Smaller spaces provide opportunities to do more with less and create landscapes that are truly unique.

The trick with small side yards is to think vertically. You’re not just working with the space you have on the ground.

You can also add design features to the side of your home or adorn a nearby fence to draw the eye upward and add visual interest.

You can even string overhead lights above a small patio or walkway, or construct a small pergola and add hanging baskets.

Don’t let limited space stop you!

Here are 7 small side yard ideas to add charm and function to your landscaping:

1. A stepping-stone walkway – you can even DIY your own!

2. Small raised flower beds

3. A small wooden or metal entry gate

4. Trellises adorned with vines such as jasmine, sweet pea, honeysuckle, or wisteria

5. A vertical water feature

6. A small patio with a bistro table and chairs

7. Hanging baskets and/or overhead outdoor lighting

Side Yard Ideas Without Grass

While many side yards traditionally have grass, it isn’t a necessary element. You can use a number of materials and design elements to create a beautiful and functional space.

Depending on the size, shape, and layout of your side yard, grass isn’t always possible – or desired. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a unique, dynamic, and usable area to enjoy.

Some of the best ways to design a side yard without grass involve utilizing interesting textures and pops of color.

Adding a few statement pieces, prioritizing usability, and thinking of creative ways to add personal touches can breathe new life into your space. 

Here are 7 side yard ideas without grass that can transform your outdoor space:

1. Stone or concrete pavers for a textured look

2. Raised wooden flower beds

3. A rock garden

4. Colorful wood chips

5. A relaxing patio/seating area

6. A water feature, such as a pond or fountain

7. Fairy lights

Narrow Side Yard Ideas 

While a side yard can come in virtually any size or shape, they’re usually long and narrow.

While this type of shape can often be difficult to decorate and make usable, there are a number of narrow side yard ideas to help you make the most out of the space.

Stone walkways are even more desirable in narrow spaces, especially if they act as a separator for gardens and other interesting features.

Pergolas or arbors can also be a fun touch in narrow yards, especially if you use the structure as a way to divide the space from the connecting front or backyard.

If you want to have plants, but the space isn’t wide enough to accommodate flower or vegetable beds, consider adding a wall garden!

This is an elegant way to maximize the space and highlight the vertical intrigue of your yard.

You can also do this with other types of decor by adding shelving along the exterior of your house and filling the space with your favorite pieces.

Side Yard Patio Ideas

Adding a patio to your side yard can seriously transform how you use your outdoor space.

Installing patios or other hardscapes in your side yard can be a great way to conserve space in your front and back yards for grass, plants, play structures, and other features.

Alternatively, if you already have an existing deck or patio in your backyard, adding a secondary side yard patio gives you the chance to do something totally different.

For example, if you have a fire pit and a few Adirondack chairs on your back patio, you might want to use a new side patio for an outdoor dining table and chairs – you can even add a grill if you have the space!

Here are 5 side yard patio ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

1. A covered patio with a bar

2. A stamped-concrete patio walkway with metal arbors

3. A closed-in outdoor shower to complement a backyard pool

4. An outdoor fireplace with seating

5. A patio with a hot tub

Side Yard Garden Ideas

While front and backyard gardens can add color and beauty to your property, there are lots of situations that make a side yard garden ideal!

Perhaps you have small kids or pets that you want to keep away from your flowers, fruits, or veggie garden.

A side garden is perfect in this scenario, because it’s easy to close it in with a gate.

Or maybe you’ve just run out of space to add to your existing garden in your other outdoor spaces.