Side yard landscaping often proves challenging because of the shape. Side yards are usually narrow and can end up becoming a gathering place for trash cans and other unsightly things homeowners don’t want sitting in front of their houses. They are often out of sight and out of mind.
However, leaving the side yard unmaintained and unkempt is a big mistake. Especially in small yards, there’s precious outdoor square footage in side yards that could be put to good use! Consider making the most of your side yard landscaping with our ideas for a beautiful landscape on all sides of the home!
Choose Shade Tolerant Perennials
Side yards are often shaded by the house on one side and maybe a fence on the other. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t be home to gorgeous blooms.
Choose shade-loving varieties of perennials to fill a small flower bed along the fence or under the eaves. If the side yard is especially narrow, consider shade tolerant vines that can be trained using wire or trellises. Plants that bloom well in the shade include columbines and begonias, but there are more options here.
Pave the Way
Since the side yard connects the front yard to the back, it often becomes a natural walkway. Enhance this idea and give people a place to walk with a beautifully constructed pathway. A big advantage of this is that people can attend backyard gatherings without having to walk through the house.
For the walkway itself, consider stepping stones, flagstones, pavers, or bricks. All are popular low-maintenance choices but each lends its own character to the look. Not sure which to choose? Look at existing finishes on the exterior of the home and in the landscape to find a complimentary material.
Try Vertical Gardening
Side yards are sometimes quite narrow, making it difficult to plant a garden…unless it’s a vertical garden!
Hang gardening containers along the side of the house or the fence and plant shade tolerant herbs, vegetables, or flowers in the pots. A freestanding structure built for vertical gardening is also a great choice. With this method, it’s possible to grow an entire garden in a narrow space!
Consider Lighting
Side yards are often the darkest area of the yard, and they benefit from additional lighting. Consider adding lighting to the side yard to prevent trips and falls and make the space more welcoming.
Properly placed lighting also enhances focal points and leads visitors to their destination, i.e. the backyard for evening entertaining. Plus, it keeps the side yard landscaping and overall landscaping designs cohesive. When side yards, front yard, and backyard all complement one another, the yard takes on an upscale and professional quality that elevates the entire property.
Make Space for Hobbies
Think outside the box with unusual side yard landscaping ideas. For example, instead of growing a garden, why not use the space for hobbies?
For example:
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- A putting green for golfers
- A potting bench for gardeners
- A horseshoe pit or area to play corn hole with friends
Hide the Shed and Unsightly Yard Tools
Every homeowner, from avid gardeners to bare-minimum landscapers, requires a few yard tools to keep up the landscaping. Keeping them close at hand but out of sight in the side yard is a perfect option for many people. To keep things tidy and tools protected from the elements, consider a small shed.
Create a Relaxing Garden Retreat
Whereas the backyard is usually large enough for kids or pets to play, the side yard is often more of a little nook. It can be a great place to set up comfortable patio furniture for those who would like to enjoy reading or sipping a lemonade outdoors.
Plant a few large blooming shrubs or flowers to offer privacy and perk up the space.
Go Low Maintenance with Rocks
For those who don’t want extra work with their side yards, rocks are an excellent choice. They are low maintenance, affordable to install, and last a long time.
To get started, clear the ground of weeds and debris. Then, lay landscaping fabric in overlapping rows to cut down on the weeds and keep the rocks on top of the soil. Finally, put down a layer of pea gravel or other easy-to-walk-on rocks with a contrasting river rock border.
Plant in Containers
What if there isn’t enough space to plant garden beds? Homeowners can still add eye-catching pops of color by placing small containers of shade-loving plants at gates and along paths. Flowering annuals like impatiens are always popular, but don’t forget variegated plants.
A variegated plant is prized for its foliage, not its flowers. Their leaves come in striking patterns of green, purple, pink, white, and yellow. Coleus plants are a good example that come in a wide variety of patterns and colors and do well in a shaded side yard.
Consider choosing climbing plants like vines that will crawl up the wall or fence for added greenery.
Additional Entertaining Space
Some side yards might be large enough to use as additional outdoor entertaining space. Take care not to choose furniture that is too large or bulky. Those proportions will look off in a narrow side yard and could make the space feel even smaller.
Instead, opt for slim profiles and airy designs. Look to bistro tables and chairs or a long outdoor couch and leave space to walk around them.
Play Space
For those who would rather keep their backyards free of toys, the side yard can be a great alternative. Set up playground equipment, a sandbox, kiddie pool, or other play items in this out-of-the-way space. Another major perk to playing in the side yard? There’s usually some welcome shade.
Experiment with Style
Struggling to decide on a landscaping style? Side yards with a gate and the house to close them off from the backyard offer an opportunity to experiment with more than one landscaping style on the same property. Play it safe with a different color scheme or change up the style entirely.
Leave Some Breathing Room
Whatever the final design ends up being, make sure to leave a little space in the side yard landscaping. Since this is the only outdoor route connecting the front and back yard, it wouldn’t be wise to clutter it up too much.
Leave room to walk and move items like wheelbarrows or trash cans back and forth. Even fully landscaped yards require consistent maintenance. Mulch and gravel need fresh applications from time to time, storms create yard debris, and there’s usually work to be done at the end of the growing season.
Looking for a Custom Design for Your Side Yard?
Our landscaping professionals at Atlanta Turf & Tree have 35 years of combined experience turning Atlanta-area yards into works of living, lasting art. Contact our landscaping services experts to get going on your next project.
