Secluded Backyard Ideas

Water features

• Creating DIY water features and displays adds movement and depth to a backyard. Create DIY ponds and river using pond kits and liners purchased from you local home improvement store. Add man-made waterfalls over rocks, fountains, fish and frogs to complete the aquatic garden. Depending on how secluded your backyard is, bird baths, fountains and water features may attract animals looking to cool down, have a drink or take up residence, so it's best to survey your features frequently.

Lifestyle gardening

• Create a backyard that is a forest of function and eco-friendliness. Backyards that are secluded from wildlife and sticky-fingered neighbors work well as lifestyle gardening hubs for the serious gardener. Use DIY gardening skills to create a mini farm to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs. Create aesthetic appeal in the backyard garden by adding colorful, edible flowers such as nasturtiums, Swiss chard or purple cauliflower. If you are a more advanced DIY gardener, create you own greenhouse using a greenhouse kit purchased at a local home improvement store to grow great produce for your kitchen year round.

Multifunctional spaces

• Secluded backyards that are far from prying eyes and trespassing youth are perfect for creating multifunctional family spaces that combine recreation and fun with function. Divide your backyard into uniquely defined quadrants: one for storage; one for gardening; one for recreational activities such as swimming, tennis or basketball; and one for outdoor dining. While each quadrant should have a specified purpose, the overall decor and design theme of the backyard should be cohesive. For example, use the same type of pavers, outdoor lights, shrubbery or outdoor decorations to transfer a backyard theme throughout each functional area. The advantages in having a secluded backyard with a multifunctional family space is the peace of mind that your pool, storage and/or recreational and outdoor dining equipment are safe.