Complete Backyard Landscaping Ideas

Planning

• Begin your backyard landscape by brainstorming ideas with your family. Think about how you want to use the space, what features you would enjoy most and what things are most important to you. Don't rule out any ideas during this step. Even if you don't end up using them, they'll help you think outside the box.

  Once you have some good ideas on paper, sketch several possible plans for your backyard. Regardless of the size of your space, divide it into sections according to how you want to use it. A few examples include garden, recreation and entertaining. Once you decide on a final plan for your backyard, begin dividing the work into manageable tasks.

Deck or Patio

• A deck often serves as an entranceway into the backyard. More than likely, you'll do most of your cooking and entertaining on the deck, so give it the attention it deserves. If you don't have a deck, consider taking on a simple design as a do-it-yourself project. Or, pour a concrete slab and frame it with a pergola. Create a patio or deck that suits your needs and your budget (see Resources).

Recreation

• Space to play is one of the most important factors in any backyard. Choose some activities your family enjoys doing together, and plan room to accommodate them. Make space for a pool, swingset, badminton net, horseshoe court or whatever else you need to help make the backyard a haven for the whole family. Keep an eye out for a good spot for a hammock, as no backyard is quite complete without one.

Gardens

• A vegetable garden can be an enjoyable and practical way to take advantage of space in your backyard. Or, if you have plenty of trees, a quiet shade garden may suit your style better. Include a fountain and a stone bench and you'll have a perfect place to relax after a long day. If nothing else, plan to work in flowers to give your landscape some color. Flowers that attract butterflies are especially nice around a deck or kitchen window.

Dividers

• Once you have the basics laid out for your backyard, use trees, shrubs or other landscaping features to keep spaces separate. For example, a few strategically placed flowering trees can help keep the trampoline out of plain view of the shade garden, creating a better atmosphere for both.