Camille’s Blog of the Week – Perk Up Your Side Yard
25 Ideas to Perk Up Your Side Yard
Ah, the side yard. It’s often a neglected and sad alley where you stick air-conditioning units. But even if calling what’s along the side of your house “yard” is a stretch, there are plenty of things you can do to not only improve it, but make it a space you enjoy walking through or even spending time in.
Consider these 25 elements when embarking on your weekend landscaping projects.
1. Continuity. In this Texas backyard belonging to art collectors, the entire landscape is a sculpture garden. Siting some of the sculptures on the side creates a journey of discovery and delight.
2. A gate. Of course, a gate adds security and privacy. But it can also add a sense of an alluring mystery as to what’s behind it. If you’re going to put in the time to make the side yard a destination or a pleasing path to the backyard, create a sense of drama with a gate.
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3. A stretch to courtyard size. This path widens out to patio size by extending all the way out to the fence boundary on one side and the house boundary on the other. Beautiful roses, a fountain and seating make it an enticing destination.
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4. Interesting path materials.Most side yards don’t have much room to play with. But you can draw the eye down the length of the space with an interesting path — whether of crunchy gravel, stately brick or a hopscotch-like arrangement of pavers. Here the mix of concrete squares and smooth stones creates an interesting juxtaposition of textures.
Here is a more elaborate side yard with an interesting path of circular pavers surrounded by stones.
5. Architecture overhead.Another way to draw the eye away from the sides is to draw it up. Arbors, pergolas, vines, lighting — all these features will have people looking up. Architecture overhead can enhance a narrow space by defining it. The journey through it is more compressed, so the drama of the backyard opening up at the end of the procession is all the greater.
Here’s a more extensive way to add architecture and greenery over a side yard.