I’m obsessed with my backyard. It’s where I spend all my time when the weather is nice! But I’ve been on a mission to make it feel less boring and more like a real outdoor room.
If you’re like me and looking for some inspiration, I’ve gathered some amazing backyard ideas. These concepts will totally transform your space, whether it’s big or small!
Outdoor Seating Nooks
Let’s talk about the most important part: seating. Honestly, if you can make this one thing feel special, you don’t need much else. It becomes the decor, the feature, and the whole vibe of the backyard.
This garden pod from Chris Nangle, for example, is so special. It just grabs all the attention and makes you want to curl up inside its cozy, protective walls.
A hammock is kind of a backyard cliche, right? But not when we’re talking about these incredible designs. Trinity Hammocks look totally different and let a few people relax at the same time.
I love that the structure is completely hassle free. You can put it anywhere, no trees or supporting posts needed.
Daybeds are super popular in modern backyards, but wow, the high end ones can be expensive. This is where you can get your DIY on.
If you have an old unused trampoline hanging around, it’s time to get creative with a suspended trampoline bed.
Even if your seating is pretty basic, you can always count on decor to create a stunning look. I love this arrangement by The Fresh Exchange.
A simple wooden bench gets a major upgrade with a privacy screen. That screen becomes a backdrop for plants and a support for string lights. The patterned rug and tray coffee table are such cool accents that dress up the natural wood.
Backyard Pool Ideas
When thinking about backyard design, so many people opt for a water feature like a swimming pool. It’s beautiful and functional, so what’s not to love? Sure, there are cost and maintenance issues, but that’s never stopped anyone, right?
A swimpond is a really cool idea. It’s a natural swimming pool that also works as a pond. This is perfect when you want to combine the pretty aesthetic of one and the function of the other.
You can also go the other way. Take a regular pool and surround it with plants and rocks. This gives you that natural pond vibe without the usual green water or plant filter system.
This is a perfect example of how to do it. A plunge pool deck offers convenience, while all the green inclusions bring in a piece of nature.
As you can see, small backyards are not immune to swimming pools. In fact, plunge pools are actually really popular because they’re lower maintenance.
They use less water, are faster to clean, and don’t cost as much to build in the first place. But they still give you that same refreshing feeling as regular pools.
If your yard is long and narrow, you’re in luck. A narrow lap pool is great for a workout and looks so luxurious, especially when it’s landscaped well.
Is there a better example for it than a Bali villa backyard just lush with greenery? Take note of that built in deck, all hidden in a green oasis! I also love the irregular stepping stones on that peculiar curly ground cover.
Ideas for Small Backyards
Small backyards are so common, and they all need clever design solutions to fit what the owners want and need.
Take a look at this sophisticated space. Its soft, neutral color scheme is punched up with graphite grey and royal blue, not to mention that bright green. And even with barely any space, it feels airy, not cramped at all.
You can tell Falling Waters Landscape, Inc. was incredibly detailed in their approach to this small backyard. It has everything a modern person requires, and then some.
The space is split between a wooden terrace with a built in hot tub (surrounded by vegetation!) and a dining table. Every single inch of free space is also planted with ornamental grasses and modest flowers.
Growsgreen Landscape Design decided to focus on natural elements like plants and fire. The fire is nicely contained in a square fire pit.
Even though the area is surrounded by growers, it seems like a low maintenance design, which is just right for a modern homeowner.
In a really tiny backyard, your best bet is to decorate. Put together a stylish seating spot using accent throw pillows and a small stool or pouf that can work as a coffee table. Just try to find the right balance between furniture and decor so you don’t overwhelm your small yard.
Backyard Movie Theaters
Some people love using their backyards as the ultimate playground for their kids. Others set them up for their favorite activities, and one of those is watching movies.
All you really need for the ultimate home cinema night is a projector, a screen, and a few old theater chairs. Oh, and don’t forget the popcorn!
A white canvas will do the job if you need a screen, but a specialized screen will probably give you better picture quality.
And if you can’t find any theater seats, there’s no rule saying you can’t just sit on the floor leaning on a pile of cushions.
If you’ve ever dreamed of a car cinema, you might not be that far from making it happen. A few old car chairs like these would probably be the biggest part of the budget.
You’d also probably need enough space for such big seats. Another idea to steal from this backyard is the screen flanked by corrugated metal. What a cool look!
Landscaped Backyard Ideas
Your backyard would feel half empty without a green landscape. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Even a simple landscape brings a lot to your yard in terms of decor.
Mark Tessier designed this dynamic small backyard with so much taste. Small strips of grass and succulents create a beautiful modern alternative to a lawn. Plus, the wood and concrete inclusions make this backyard look even more interesting.
Landscape designers often go vertical to make things more interesting or to maximize space. Adding a mound or two is one way to inject some freshness into your backyard design.
This is also a way out of constant lawn mowing. Just let those mounds sit there and grow out. You can use them as seats or back rests whenever you want to catch up on some reading.
Eldridge London took another approach to vertical landscaping, creating multi level wooden pots. A steel slide with a small sand box at the end is a really thoughtful addition for kids.
This type of landscape maximizes space and lets even small areas have tons of greenery. Remember, when you can’t spread wide, you have to go up.
In this backyard, the designers used a green wall and added a few grass covered steps to the middle of the area. It creates such a dramatic visual base for the vertical garden.
At the sides, trellises amplify the greenery and drown out the white backyard walls. Only the white dining table makes this paradise feel a bit more earthly and functional.
Backyard Style Concepts
When you’re thinking about outdoor design, there are so many styles to pick from. You could go with ultra modern minimal concrete surfaces and perfectly manicured planter pots, or a good old traditional aesthetic with lots of wooden furniture.
Japanese style is not only beautiful, but it also requires little maintenance. A bamboo fence and furniture add an exotic touch. And gravel or white sand make for an attractive ground cover you don’t have to water or replant.
One benefit of the modern style is that it means a lot of smooth surfaces, which also require little maintenance. It looks great in monochromatic colors that are easy to put together. And it calls for minimal furniture and decorations.
Greenery looks amazing in any style. Here, the green beds and potted trees outline the backyard, bringing life to the cold monochromatic design.
Just like with interiors, mixing up styles in your backyard design can give you great results. You don’t have to stick to one aesthetic if you don’t want to. In my experience, eclectic designs are the best anyway.
In this modern backyard, I sense a faint hint of Oriental style in the low roofs and statues. But the focus of the layout is a big modern coffee table that looks very unexpected and super impressive.
Traditional style is always an option. It’s homey and inviting, and it’s easy to pull off. This house has a decorated kitchen counter and a few bar stools, a wooden dining table, and a white pergola with a seating area and privacy curtains.
That’s all you really need for having guests, cooking family dinner, or just enjoying some fresh air. Even though it looks pretty conservative, I suggest you take note of that kitchen counter decor.
Backyard Garden Designs
If you want to make the most of your land, a compromise between a backyard and a garden is more than possible. All you have to do is decide what you can live without.
Since a garden needs space for more than just a few plants, your outdoor kitchen and pool might have to compete for being the only feature. On the other hand, you could go with a minimal garden design and try to fit them both.
Another masterpiece from Foras Studio shows how you can combine a garden and a backyard. The green lawn is outlined with green hydrangea bushes and other smaller plants growing separately in a wooden container.
Thankfully, there is a loft terrace with a BBQ and a dining area right above the garden. But even without it, this design would be totally sufficient for having guests and dining under the sky.
A garden doesn’t have to be big to be impressive. Design Line Builds’ modern waterless garden, encased in a white elevated platform, makes a strong case for minimalism.
Surrounded by a wooden fence, the area is divided by levels. The upper one holds soil for planting, while the lower level is covered with stone tiles whose seams are planted with moss.
If you’re determined to make this marriage between a backyard and a garden work, planter pots can help where there’s no soil in sight.
Arranging a few differently sized pots with your favorite plants and trees can create the illusion of a lush garden.
Backyard Layout Concepts
Another aspect of backyard design is, of course, the layout. You don’t want it to be random and awkward.
Foras Studio are pros when it comes to small backyard layouts. The designers skillfully use the available space to create landscapes that are impressive but low maintenance. See how they divide the floor space between a patio and a gravel covered mini garden with box hedges and small bushes.
When designing your backyard, it’s so important to visualize its future layout, no matter the available space. This will help you avoid a lot of design mistakes and keep it functional.
This backyard design by New Eco Landscape Design & Build shows a perfect layout for a small, narrow area. Green beds and soil patches are kept at the sides and out of the way. The seating areas are extremely functional and easy to access.
A backyard layout doesn’t have to be standard and boring. Take a look at this amazing design that uses curvy lines and different materials to zone out the seating areas and greenery.
Both the dynamic shapes and contrasting finishes make this the most unique backyard I’ve ever seen.
Key Backyard Design Elements
When you don’t have the budget or patience for a full pool, you can always go with an alternative water feature. Think about a fountain or a mini pond (no fish or plants required).
Bartholomew Landscaping went for a simple circular pool in their project. But it wouldn’t look the same if they hadn’t built it right into the steps, dividing them and bringing attention to this unusual accent.
Seating design is one of the biggest parts of backyard decor. I’ve seen hundreds of backyard seating ideas, and this is by far the best one. It combines the properties of a hammock and a daybed and looks so relaxing and unusual.
It also gives ground space to the plants underneath it. And those plants, in turn, create an illusion of a soft, live cushion that just beckons you to sit on it.
If there are no water features or other big design elements, you can always try a feature wall. It instantly creates a focus in the area and adds character to the design.
This one also works as a vertical garden. The colorful succulents create a beautiful picture that wouldn’t impress as much if it was just drawn on.
Sometimes, something as simple as lighting can transform your entire design. String lights are popular in both indoor and outdoor decor for this exact reason. They just make everything look better.
In the case of this gorgeous backyard by Karlsson Magnus, string lights only emphasize its beautiful trellises and vintage allure. But without them, it probably wouldn’t look the same.
Multi-Level Backyard Designs
Multi level backyard designs aren’t just for small areas. You can simply take advantage of the amount of free space and create a maze of nooks and outdoor spaces where you can relax and your children can play.
A cascading garden like the one from Fossey Arora Design is also just beautiful. The crawling plants give it a ‘hanging garden’ look. And the complex structure provides little pockets of space for hiding and lounging.
It’s also a good way to divide areas that have different purposes. The lower level can serve as a garden, and the mezzanine levels can be used as terraces and reading nooks.
New Eco Landscape Design & Build decided to lay the dining area with red brick and designed the mezzanine in a contrasting black grey in this small backyard. Though both areas are made for lounging, they could be quickly converted into different zones.
Designer Backyard Concepts
Dividing space between seating, cooking, and green areas is not easy, especially in a small backyard. But it has to accommodate your needs and wants. And creative compromises are always possible.
New Eco Landscape Design & Build divided this backyard into two parts. One is a serene green lawn canopied by two trees, and the other is a cooking and dining area. A perfect compromise for those who want to stretch their legs on the grass and also have some guests for a BBQ.
Besides layout, you have to choose the right materials for your design. Wood, although cheap and warm, doesn’t wear as well and needs regular refinishing to prevent rotting.
But it looks beautiful against the rich green. Also, compared to other materials, wood is still quite versatile and relatively cheap.
While wood creates a welcoming atmosphere, stone tiles make for a modern, sleek look. They are perfect for flooring and decking and go well with wood.
Contrasting materials can often bring an unparalleled dynamic to the outdoor design. So find the combinations that create the look you’re after.
The combination of concrete and wood is perfect for a modern backyard. Concrete is easy to mold into anything from a wall to a fire pit. It’s stylish and wears pretty well.
Both old and polished wood go well with it. The polished wood brings a more luxurious feel to the structure, though.
