Build.com for Pros: Backyard Design Ideas

When used correctly, the backyard can be a true extension of a home's living space. Maximize the functionality of any backyard by establishing what's lacking in the day-to-day lifestyle of the homeowner in the first place and utilizing backyard design ideas fill that need. With so many backyard design ideas available, it's easy to come up with a solution that will make the most of a narrow patio or an expansive outdoor retreat.

Backyard Design Ideas for Every Size Yard

Before you can make use of the outdoor space, you have to first understand how the homeowner plans to use the area. Outdoor living areas, dining areas, kitchens, pools, fire pits, and gardens are among the most popular options for backyard design ideas because they are so functional.

Outdoor Lounge or Living Areas

Just being outside can be relaxing. Taking in all that Vitamin D is more comfortable with an outdoor lounge or living area in place. To create a successful outdoor seating area, determine how many people will frequently be using the space and make sure to have enough seating to accommodate that number of people comfortably. Screened-in lanais, outdoor decks, and extended patios are all areas that can serve as an outdoor living area.

Outdoor Kitchens

If the homeowner has a passion for grilling, give them an outdoor space worthy of a great chef. Take a grill, smoker, pizza oven or outdoor stovetop and make it an integrated piece with countertops, a prep sink, and cabinetry surrounding it. You can even incorporate an outdoor refrigerator or warming drawer into the mix.

Dining Spaces

An outdoor kitchen is often used in tandem with a large, outdoor dining room. Meals go from fired on the grill to presented in front of loved ones in a matter of steps when you select outdoor dining tables and chairs for a deck or patio. This is an especially popular choice for anyone that hosts frequent dinner parties or just wants to be outside after a long day at work.

Casual Bar & Entertaining Space

The homeowner doesn't have to be an avid cook to enjoy an outdoor entertaining area. Add an outdoor bar complete with a prep sink and surround it with a bar-height countertop and bar stools to make it a comfortable place for friends and family to visit as you serve up drinks and classic snacks.

Setting the Foundation for the Outdoor Room

Before you can begin an outdoor room design, you must decide where the room will be, how large it will be, and the initial structure that will support the room. Among the most popular options are:

• Concrete Patios

• Wood or Composite Wood Decks

• Brick or Paver Patios 

• Balcony

The foundation of the room itself can be a decorative part of the overall design. Enhance the visual appeal of the space by considering stylish backyard patio paver design ideas, such as arranging the pavers in a herringbone or other captivating pattern. There are many different paved patio ideas available, making it easy to find the inspiration needed for a patio shape or pattern that helps to navigate the layout of the backyard naturally.

Other Hardscapes to Consider

All of the hard, structural items located around a backyard are considered to be the hardscapes. Popular hardscapes include everything from hardscape walls defining the edge of a property to elegant marble hardscapes that double as a fountain or decorative accent. Stone hardscapes can also be featured in the form of a formal outdoor fireplace.

As you begin to start designing, consider using the raw edges of materials to create textured hardscapes that will lend added depth and dimension to the design. Stacked stone walls and smooth marble tiles provide different textures that can work separately or together. Take the outdoor structures to an elevated level by adding an arbor or pergola over an outdoor seating or dining area.

Backyard Landscaping Design Ideas

All the hard furnishings and hardscape materials used to enhance a backyard need to be softened by adding plenty of natural plants. Beginning the backyard garden designs with a trip to the local nursery and research about which types of plants thrive in your USDA Hardiness Zone.

Feature a combination of high and low plants. As you start to plan out the backyard landscape design, make sure to include a combination of evergreen plants with plants that bloom at various times of the year. This will ensure there's always a pop of color somewhere in the garden. Some plants can be planted directly in the ground while others should be placed in pots for some variation.

Backyard garden designs can even be functional when you create an outdoor garden stocked with herbs, vegetables, and fruit trees that thrive in your climate. This can range from a simple pot filled with your favorite cooking herbs to an extensive garden complete with raised beds and drip irrigation systems. There's no better way to get fresh food than by growing it directly in the backyard.

Select Durable Outdoor Furnishings

Exposure to the elements can be hard on furniture. Make your backyard design ideas a lasting reality by making sure the items selected will hold up to many years of use. Choose top-quality outdoor furniture assembled with marine-grade hardware. Teak and cedar are natural materials that hold up to moisture while avoiding damage by pests.

Of course, there are synthetic materials designed for outdoor use as well, such as a man-made poly wood made from recycled water bottles. Making your backyard design ideas a reality starts with selecting patio furniture in keeping with the style and goals of the space.

With so many different backyard design ideas available, it really is possible to find one that suits the needs of every homeowner. Before settling on your garden paving ideas, establish the natural layout and flow pattern throughout the backyard and create walkways and sitting areas designed to work naturally with the layout. With the right combination of furniture, plants, and structures in place the outdoor area will become a relaxing retreat that's a true extension of the home.