25 Brilliant Backyard Ideas for Any Size Space
If you’re wondering how to decorate your backyard, I’ve learned a few practical tricks from years of working with an outdoor space with all its quirks. These simple, actionable ideas can help your yard feel functional, stylish, and perfectly pulled together.
When I first looked at my empty backyard, I thought creating an outdoor living area was going to be a dream come true. But I also realized that making a large yard feel cozy and functional all at the same time is a lot trickier than it looks.
The key isn’t just filling the space with furniture, it’s learning how to create definition within it.
Backyard Pool Designs
When we start talking about backyard design, so many people choose a water feature, and a swimming pool is at the top of the list. It’s so beautiful and functional.
What’s not to love? I know there are cost and upkeep concerns, but really, when has that ever stopped anyone from dreaming?
A swimpond is such a clever idea because it’s a natural swimming pool that also serves as a pond. It’s perfect when you want the look of one and the usefulness of the other.
If you have a backyard that is long and narrow, you are totally in luck. A slim lap pool not only gives you a spot to exercise but it also looks so luxurious, especially when it’s landscaped this well.
I mean, could there be a better example of this than a Bali villa backyard that is just filled with lush greenery? You have to take a look at the built in deck that’s tucked away in a green oasis.
And those stepping stones with their irregular shapes on that unique curly ground cover are just everything.
As you can see, even small backyards are not off limits for swimming pools. Actually, plunge pools are super popular because they don’t require as much upkeep.
They use less water, are faster to clean, and don’t cost as much to build from the start. But they still give you that same refreshing feeling you get from a regular pool.
It can also work the other way. You could surround a normal pool with plants and rocks. This creates that natural pond vibe without the things that usually come with it, like green water and a plant filtration system.
This is a perfect example of how to pull that off. The deck of the plunge pool gives you convenience and comfort, while all the green additions bring a beautiful piece of nature into the design.
Backyard Seating Ideas
Let’s just focus on the seating for a second. If you can make this everyday thing into something really special, you honestly won’t need much else. It will be your main feature, your decoration, and the entire vibe of the backyard itself.
Even if your seating has a simple structure and design, you can always rely on your decor to make a really striking look, like in this setup by The Fresh Exchange. A basic wooden bench gets an upgrade with a privacy screen.
That screen becomes a background for plants and a support for string lights. The rug with the pattern and the tray coffee table are such unusual touches that really grab your attention and dress up the natural wood.
Take this garden pod by Chris Nangle for example, it is just that special. It captures all of your attention and makes you want to sit back and take in the great outdoors from inside its cozy walls.
Daybeds are so popular right now in modern backyards, but the really high end ones can definitely stretch the budget. This is where your inner DIYer might start looking for some inspiration.
If you happen to have an old trampoline you’re not using sitting in the garage, it is time to get to work on a suspended trampoline bed.
A hammock in the backyard might sound a little bit like a cliché, but not when we are talking about really unusual designs. Trinity Hammocks are not just different in how they look; they also let a few people relax all at once.
The hassle free structure is another plus of a modern hammock. It can be put anywhere in the yard, and you don’t have to worry about trees or support posts.
Small Backyard Ideas
Small backyards are everywhere, and they each need their own unique design ideas that will meet their owners’ needs and wants. Just look at this sophisticated project.
Its soft and neutral color palette gets pops from graphite grey and royal blue, and that’s not even mentioning the bright green. And even with hardly any space, it feels so airy and not the least bit crowded.
In a tiny backyard, all you can really do is decorate. You can create a stylish seating spot using some accent throw pillows and a little stool or pouf that can also work as a coffee table.
Just make sure you find that perfect balance between furniture and decorations so you don’t overwhelm your small yard.
Growsgreen Landscape Design made the choice to focus on natural things like plants and fire. The fire is contained inside a square fire pit.
Even though the area is surrounded by growers, it has the feeling of a low maintenance design that is just right for a modern homeowner.
You can tell that Falling Waters Landscape, Inc. was so meticulous with how they approached this small backyard. It has everything a modern person could need, plus more.
The space is split between a wooden terrace that has a built in hot tub, surrounded by greenery, and a dining table. Every single inch of extra space is also planted with ornamental grasses and simple flowers.
Landscaped Backyard Ideas
Your backyard would feel like it was only half finished without a green landscape. It doesn’t need to be fancy or complex. Even a very simple landscape can bring so much to your yard just in terms of decor.
Mark Tessier designed this dynamic little backyard with so much skill and taste. The small strips of grass and succulents are a beautiful and modern alternative to a big lawn.
Also, the wood and concrete touches make this backyard look even more interesting.
In this particular backyard, the designers chose a green wall and added a few steps covered in grass right in the middle of the space. It creates such a dramatic visual foundation for the vertical garden.
On the sides, trellises make the greenery feel even bigger, drowning out the white walls of the backyard. The only thing that makes this paradise feel a little more down to earth and functional is the white dining table.
Landscape designers will often build vertically to make things more exciting or to get the most out of the space. Bringing in a mound or two is one way to add some freshness to your backyard design.
This is also a way to get out of mowing the lawn all the time. Just let those mounds sit there in your yard and grow out. You can use them for seating or as back rests anytime you want to do some reading or just enjoy being outside.
Eldridge London used a different take on vertical landscaping in their project. They created multi level wooden pots all around it. The steel slide with a little sand box at the bottom is such a thoughtful touch for kids.
This kind of landscape really maximizes the space and lets even smaller areas have tons and tons of greenery. Just remember, when you can’t build out wide, you have to go up.
Backyard Cinema Designs
Some people really love using their backyards to create the ultimate playground for their children. Others set them up for their own favorite pastimes, and watching movies is a big one.
Everything you need for the best home cinema night is a projector, a screen, and a few old theater chairs. Oh, and you can’t forget the popcorn!
If you have ever dreamed of having your own drive in cinema, you might not be that far off from making it happen. A couple of old car chairs like these would probably be the biggest part of your budget.
You would probably also need to have enough room for such large seats. Another idea to borrow from this backyard is the screen flanked by corrugated metal. What a great look!
A white canvas should get the job done if you’re looking for a screen, but a specialized screen would probably give you better picture quality.
And if you are not able to get your hands on those theater seats, there is no rule that says you can’t just sit on the floor and lean against a pile of comfy cushions.
Backyard Style Ideas
When you’re thinking about outdoor design, there are so many styles you can pick from. You could go with an ultra modern minimal look with concrete surfaces and perfectly manicured planter pots, or a good old traditional style with lots of wooden furniture.
The Japanese style is not only beautiful, but it also doesn’t need a lot of maintenance. A bamboo fence and furniture give this backyard a really exotic touch.
And the gravel or white sand serves as an attractive ground cover that you don’t have to water or replant.
The traditional style is always an option. It feels so homey and inviting, and it’s easy to achieve. This house has a kitchen counter with decoration and a few bar stools, a wooden dining table, and a white pergola that has a seating area and privacy curtains.
That is really all you need for having guests over, cooking a family dinner, or just getting some fresh air. Even though it looks pretty conventional, I suggest you take a look at that kitchen counter decor.
One of the great things about the modern style is that it usually involves a lot of smooth surfaces, which also don’t require much maintenance. It looks fantastic in monochromatic colors that are simple to coordinate.
And it also calls for minimal furniture and decorations. Greenery always looks great, no matter the style. Here, the green beds and potted trees frame the backyard and bring some life to the cold, monochromatic design.
Just like with interior design, mixing styles in your backyard can lead to some great results. You don’t need to stick with just one look if you don’t want to or can’t afford it. In my experience, eclectic designs are usually the best anyway.
In this modern backyard, I get a subtle hint of Oriental style from the low roofs and statues. But the main focus of the layout is a big, modern coffee table that looks so unexpected and very impressive.
Designer Backyard Ideas
Splitting up the space between seating, cooking, and green areas isn’t easy, especially if you have a small backyard, but it needs to fit your needs and what you want. And you can always find creative compromises.
A combination of concrete and wood is just perfect for a modern backyard. Concrete is simple to mold into just about anything, from a wall to a fire pit. It is stylish and holds up pretty well.
Both old and polished wood look great with it. The polished wood, though, brings a more luxurious feel to the whole structure.
Besides the layout, you also have to pick out the right materials for your design. Wood is cheap and warm, but it doesn’t wear as well and needs to be refinished regularly to keep it from rotting.
But it looks so beautiful next to rich greenery. Also, when you compare it to other materials, wood is still pretty versatile and relatively inexpensive.
While wood gives a welcoming feeling in the backyard, stone tiles create a modern and sleek look. They are perfect for your flooring and decking, and they go really well with wood.
Using contrasting materials can often bring a dynamic to your outdoor design that you can’t get any other way. So, you should find the combinations that give you the look you are going for.
New Eco Landscape Design & Build split this backyard into two sections. One part is a peaceful green lawn with a canopy from two trees, and the other is a cooking and dining area.
It’s a perfect compromise for people who want to stretch their legs out on the grass but also have some guests over for a BBQ.
Backyard Layout Ideas
Another thing to think about with backyard design is, of course, the layout. You don’t want it to feel random and awkward.
When you are designing your backyard, it’s so important to visualize how it will be laid out in the future, no matter how much space you have. This will help you avoid a lot of design mistakes and keep it functional.
This backyard design by New Eco Landscape Design & Build is a perfect layout for a small and narrow space. The green beds and soil patches are kept off to the sides and out of the way. The seating areas are super functional and easy to get to.
A backyard layout doesn’t have to be standard or boring. You have to see this amazing design that uses curvy lines and different materials to create zones for seating areas and greenery.
Both the dynamic shapes and the contrasting finishes make this the most unique backyard I think I have ever seen.
Foras Studio are total professionals when it comes to layouts for small backyards. The designers are masters at using the space they have to create landscapes that are impressive but also low maintenance.
Look at how they divide the floor space between a patio and a mini garden covered in gravel with box hedges and small bushes and trees.
Backyard Garden Designs
If you’re wanting to get the most out of your land, a compromise between a backyard and a garden is definitely possible. All you really have to do is figure out what you can live without.
A garden needs space for more than just a few plants, so your outdoor kitchen and pool might have to battle it out for which one gets to be the only feature.
On the other hand, you could go with a minimal garden design and try to squeeze them both in.
A garden doesn’t need to be huge to be impressive. The modern waterless garden from Design Line Builds, which is encased in a white elevated platform, really makes a case for minimalism.
The area is surrounded by a wooden fence and is divided by levels. The upper level has soil for planting and growing, while the lower level is covered with stone tiles that have moss planted in their seams.
If you are really determined to make this marriage between a backyard and a garden work, planter pots can be a huge help, especially where there isn’t any soil.
Putting a few pots of different sizes with your favorite plants and trees can create the illusion of a lush garden.
Another masterpiece from Foras Studio shows you exactly how you can combine a garden and a backyard. The green lawn is outlined with green hydrangea bushes and other smaller plants that are growing separately in a wooden container.
Luckily, there’s a loft terrace right above the garden with a BBQ and a dining area. But even if it didn’t have that, this design would be more than enough for having guests and dining outside under the sky.
Multi-Level Backyard Ideas
Multi level backyard designs are not just for small spaces. You can just take advantage of the amount of free space you have and create a whole maze of nooks and outdoor areas where you can relax and your kids can play.
It is also a really good way to separate areas that have different purposes. The lower level can be used 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 in this small backyard with red brick and designed the mezzanine in a contrasting black grey. Even though both areas are meant for lounging, they could quickly be turned into different zones.
A cascading garden like the one designed by Fossey Arora Design is also just so beautiful. The crawling plants give it a look like a ‘hanging garden’.
And the complex structure gives you little pockets of space for hiding away and lounging.
Backyard Design Elements
Seating design is one of the most important parts of backyard decor. I have seen hundreds of backyard seating ideas, and this one is by far the best. It combines the features of a hammock and a daybed, and it looks so relaxing and really unusual.
It also leaves ground space for the plants below it. And those plants create an illusion of a soft, living cushion that looks like a cloud and just calls for you to sit on it.
If you don’t have any water features or other really impressive design elements, you can always try a feature wall. It immediately creates a focal point in the area and adds a lot of character to the design.
This one also works as a vertical garden. The colorful succulents make a beautiful picture that wouldn’t be as impressive if it were just drawn on.
Sometimes, something as simple as the lighting can totally transform your whole design. String lights are popular in both interior and outdoor decor for this exact reason. They just make everything look better.
In the case of this gorgeous backyard by Karlsson Magnus, the string lights really emphasize its beautiful trellises and vintage charm, but it probably wouldn’t look the same without them.
When you don’t have the budget or the patience for a full pool, you can always go for an alternative water feature, like a fountain or a mini pond without any fish or plants.
Bartholomew Landscaping chose a simple circular pool for their Gilston Road Chelsea landscape project. But it would not have looked the same if they hadn’t built it right into the steps, dividing them and drawing attention to this unusual accent.
