Creating a unique backyard landscape tailored to your preferences is an achievable goal. Learn how to make your own backyard landscape with our step-by-step guide that covers everything from planning to execution.
While you’re at it, you might also be interested in building a cheap backyard fence or hanging lights for a backyard party. Dive into our wealth of information to create a stunning outdoor space that reflects your personal style.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| – Planning is crucial for creating a functional and beautiful backyard landscape. |
| – Consider factors such as space, lighting, and soil quality when designing your landscape. |
| – Incorporating various elements such as plants, water features, and seating areas can add visual interest to your backyard. |
| – DIY landscaping projects can be rewarding, but may require research, time, and effort to execute properly. |
| – Consult with a professional landscaper for larger projects or if you lack experience in landscaping. |
Draw A Rough Sketch
The first step to building your own backyard landscape is to draw a rough sketch.
Drawing a rough sketch of your new landscape before you start construction is essential for planning and budgeting purposes, but it also helps you visualize what the finished product will look like.
A rough sketch can help you determine if there’s enough space for all the elements or whether certain plants or structures will clash with one another.
If you’re wondering about the cost of landscaping your backyard, our fully landscaping a backyard cost guide can help you plan and budget accordingly. From design to installation, we cover all the factors that contribute to the cost of a beautifully landscaped backyard.
Define The Spaces In Your Yard
Now that you’ve decided what style of yard you’d like, it’s time to figure out exactly how big each space will be. Here are some ways to do this:
- Sketch a quick drawing of the yard in its current state and note where different items currently sit.
- Use a grid system to help visualize the size of each space (you can use graph paper or even just draw lines straight down on paper).
- Modify a scale drawing to make sure it fits your yard’s dimensions (for example, if your house is 40 feet long by 20 feet wide, then multiply that number by 10 for an ideal backyard size).
Add Focal Points With Boulders And Plants
To create a focal point in your yard, consider adding boulders. Boulders can be used to create a path, seating area, or water feature.
To create a path into your garden, place the boulders closely together and use plants to fill in the gaps between them.
For example: rosemary plants are great for this use because they grow quickly and have beautiful leaves that smell amazing!
If you want to create a seating area outdoors then consider placing several large rocks next to each other and then planting small shrubs around them so that people can sit comfortably while enjoying their time outside with friends or family members.
Transforming a small backyard into an inviting outdoor space is easier than you might think. Our guide to making a small backyard look bigger offers practical tips on maximizing space and creating the illusion of a larger yard through design and layout.
Types of Plants for Your Backyard Landscape
| Shrubs and bushes | Perennials | Annuals |
|---|---|---|
| Boxwood | Coneflower | Marigold |
| Azalea | Daylily | Impatiens |
| Holly | Phlox | Petunia |
| Rose of Sharon | Yarrow | Zinnia |
| Hydrangea | Astilbe | Nasturtium |
Create A Water Feature
A water feature can be a great addition to your yard, especially if you want to create a focal point. However, before making any decisions about where to locate the feature and what kind of water feature you want, it’s important that you consider how much maintenance it will require.
For example, if your yard has limited space for installing an elaborate fountain or pond with fish swimming around in it (such as an outdoor spa), then these types of features might not be ideal for your landscape design plan.
Instead, consider buying a small tabletop fountain or even just having some rocks arranged in an artistic pattern around the edge of one corner of your backyard.
The next step is choosing how large each section should be and where exactly they should go within their designated area on paper first before actually starting any physical work on them because this way they won’t end up taking up more space than necessary once finished!
Create An Outdoor Kitchen Or Dining Area
It is also important to consider how you will use this space. If you plan on hosting large parties, it may be worth investing in a grill and sink that can accommodate multiple people.
This could also be a great place for an outdoor dining area. You might want to add some lighting as well, so that your guests don’t have difficulty seeing their food at night.
For those looking to create a modern and stylish outdoor oasis, our pro tips for creating a modern backyard are a must-read. From minimalism to natural materials, we cover the latest trends in modern backyard design
Incorporate Your Pool Into The Landscape
Incorporating your pool into the landscape is a great way to make sure it’s integrated into your yard, instead of just being a hole in the ground that happens to be filled with water.
You can use plants and other materials from around your backyard to create an area of interest around the pool that will help break up its shape and provide some privacy for when you’re relaxing in it.
If you’re worried about safety, don’t be—there are plenty of ways to keep yourself and others safe around a pool.
You’ll want to make sure that there is fencing all around the perimeter of where people can stand or walk near your pool so they don’t fall in accidentally (or intentionally).
It’s also important that this fencing be high enough so that small children cannot climb over it; if you have younger children who live with you or visit often, this may mean having multiple levels of fencing at different heights surrounding their play areas so they can safely run around outside without worrying about falling into any bodies of water on accident
Make It Low Maintenance
If you have a small yard, consider installing a fountain in the center of your personal paradise. Fountains are great because they add an element of intrigue and peace to any space. Plus, if you decide to get one, it will be something that you can enjoy long after your landscape is done!
While designing your landscape, try not to make too many hard edges between different sections (i.e., between grassy areas and flower beds). This will help give the garden more character and make it feel less like an assembly line of plants!
It’s important not to choose plants based solely on their aesthetic appeal; some may look pretty but require lots of maintenance which might not be worth the effort depending on how much time/money you have available each year for upkeep.”
Choose Native Plants That Thrive In Your Area
Native plants are more likely to survive and thrive in your yard because they’ve adapted to the local climate and soil. They’re also less likely to be harmful to native wildlife, as most introduced species can have negative impacts on local ecosystems.
A backyard terrace can be a stunning addition to any outdoor space, but building one requires careful planning and execution. Our pro tips for building a backyard terrace cover everything from choosing the right materials to creating a level foundation for your new outdoor space
Plan For Privacy If You Want It
If you want to be able to enjoy the privacy of your home, you need to plan for it. There are many different options for creating a private space in your backyard. Here are some of the most popular choices:
Use plants that provide privacy. There are several plants that naturally grow tall and create privacy in their own way, like bamboo or holly trees.
If you’re looking for something more subtle, consider planting hedges around the perimeter of your yard or along fences and walls if they aren’t already there.
Use a fence or hedge as part of an existing barrier if possible but make sure it doesn’t hide any windows! Fences can also be used on their own as long as they’re tall enough and sturdy enough to block out unwanted eyesight (and noise).
It’s worth noting here that high fences may limit what views can be seen by people inside while they’re relaxing outside; this could also lead them away from improving their landscaping because they feel like nobody else would appreciate what they did anyway!
Make It Fun For Your Pets, Too
It’s important to make your backyard landscape fun for you and your pets. If you have a dog, include a place where they can run around and play.
This could be a small area with obstacles, like tires or large rocks placed around the perimeter of the yard.
You can also create an area for them to rest in by building a small deck or porch that they can sit on when they get tired of playing outside.
Make sure that the area is safe for your pet, though! You don’t want them getting hurt or running away from home after escaping through some unsafe opening in the fence surrounding their designated play space!
Protect The Environment While Landscaping
There are many things to consider when landscaping your backyard. One of the most important is protecting the environment while you do it.
Here are some tips:
Choose native plants that have adapted to your region’s climate and soil conditions, like oaks or cacti in the desert. This will ensure they grow well without requiring much water or fertilizer.
Avoid using pesticides on your lawn or garden because they can disrupt the balance of insects and other animals that live there (like bugs!).
Use recycled materials whenever possible wood pallets, old tires, bricks from a neighbor’s construction project to reduce waste and save money!
You can also use reclaimed items such as concrete slabs from old buildings for walkways or patios if you don’t want to use artificial materials like rubber mulch or plastic pavers (which can get hot).
If you’re building a patio with wood boards instead of stones/concrete pavers then choose hardwoods instead such as redwood because soft woods like pine aren’t durable enough for this kind of usage!
Landscaping your backyard can be a rewarding DIY project, but it can also be overwhelming without the right guidance. Our do-it-yourself backyard landscaping guide offers step-by-step instructions for creating a beautiful and functional outdoor space on your own, no matter your level of experience.
Tools and Materials for DIY Backyard Landscaping
| Basic gardening tools | Hardscaping materials | Garden decor |
|---|---|---|
| Shovel | Pavers | Garden statues |
| Hand trowel | Gravel | Fountains |
| Pruning shears | Mulch | Birdhouses |
| Rake | Bricks | Wind chimes |
| Garden hose | Landscape fabric | Outdoor lighting |
Conclusion
We hope these tips have inspired you to get out there and start creating your own backyard landscape.
The best part is that even if you’re not an experienced landscaper, nobody will know it! Just make sure to keep the environment in mind while planning your new space and remember that it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that can help you in creating a beautiful backyard landscape:
Creating a Professional Backyard Landscape (with pictures) – This article provides professional tips and tricks for creating a beautiful backyard landscape, including design elements, plant selection, and hardscape elements. The article is accompanied by pictures to give you visual inspiration.
How to Design Your Backyard Landscape – This video provides step-by-step instructions on designing your backyard landscape, including creating a plan, selecting plants, and incorporating hardscape elements. The video is informative and easy to follow along.
How much does it cost to fully landscape a backyard? – This article provides a detailed breakdown of the costs involved in landscaping a backyard, including materials, labor, and design fees.
How to put turf down in your backyard – This article offers step-by-step instructions on how to install turf in your backyard, including preparing the soil, laying the turf, and maintaining it.
How to build a backyard terrace – pro tips – If you want to create a functional and stylish terrace in your backyard, this article provides tips and guidelines on the design, construction, and materials needed.
FAQs
Q: How do I choose the right plants for my backyard landscape?
A: When selecting plants for your backyard, consider factors such as your climate, soil type, and the amount of sun or shade in the area. Choose plants that are appropriate for your local climate and can thrive in your soil type.
Q: How do I design a functional backyard landscape?
A: To design a functional backyard landscape, consider how you want to use the space and plan accordingly. Include hardscape elements such as paths, patios, and seating areas, and choose plants that are appropriate for their location and purpose.
Q: What are some easy and inexpensive ways to enhance my backyard landscape?
A: Simple ways to enhance your backyard landscape include adding a layer of mulch to your plant beds, creating a focal point with a sculpture or water feature, and incorporating lighting to highlight key elements of the landscape.
Q: How much does it cost to landscape a backyard?
A: The cost of landscaping a backyard varies depending on several factors such as the size of the area, the complexity of the design, and the materials used. It is recommended to get quotes from multiple contractors to compare prices and services.
Q: How do I maintain my backyard landscape?
A: To maintain your backyard landscape, make sure to water and fertilize your plants as needed, prune overgrown branches and shrubs, and clean up any debris. It is also important to regularly inspect your hardscape elements for any damage or needed repairs.
For 15 years, Hellen James has worked in the gardening industry as an expert and landscape designer. During her career, she has worked for a variety of businesses that specialize in landscaping and gardening from small firms to large corporations.