Backyard Ideas That Will Keep You Outside All Summer Long

If you are looking at a huge space behind your house, you should think about backyard ideas. The back is an extension of your home and deserves the same care and attention as any other part of the home. Your design will set the tone for all of your future outdoor spaces, so it’s important to plan accordingly. Before you can lay the foundation for the outdoor oasis of your dreams, you need to know what that dream is. Do you go modern or classic? Conjure up a luxurious spa of country living? Are you creating space for conversation or space to sit back and be alone? “Look at the big picture: the entire backyard, the entire front yard, or the entire lot, and visualize your goals,” says Tyler Banken, indoor/outdoor planting expert and landscape architect at Neverland, a plant resource.

How do I design my garden?
Designing a backyard can feel like a tall order, especially when you’re working with a large area. Luckily, it’s more than manageable once you have a solid plan. Banken explains that while it’s common to design a garden in phases (this is especially true for DIYers), it’s important to always know how each part will ultimately fit into the whole. “Having an overall plan for your space gives you something to work towards and also makes sure you’re not wasting time,” he says.