So much attention is given to curb appeal in front of the home and a friendly, relaxing space out back while side yards are often relegated to little more than storage. To fully make use of this space, don’t treat your side yard like a design afterthought. Here are five creative landscaping ideas for Brookville, NY, side yards.
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A Private Patio
Your backyard patio is great for entertaining, but a secluded spot to enjoy a book or your morning coffee can transform your backyard into public and private zones, just like your home has public and private zones. Because side yards are small, they can accommodate a bistro table and a few decorative items and not much else.
In fact, the side patio can have its own personality. Brick pavers set in a herringbone or basket weave pattern give this space old world charm. Add a tall privacy wall, a small fountain, and a comfortable lounge chair and you’ll have the perfect hideaway from the boisterous activity of the backyard.
Raised Bed Gardens
If a side yard receives enough natural sunlight, you can turn it into a raised bed garden where you can grow herbs and vegetables. This can be the ideal situation to teach kids the value of growing their own food. If your side yard is large enough, add a few fruit trees. If you have room (most homes have two side yards), how about a raised bed veggie garden on one side of the home and a pollinator garden on the other? Raised beds keep the gardens neat and tidy as well as offer a more convenient height.
A Game Area
Make use of a side yard as a game area where family and friends can enjoy bocce, outdoor bowling, shuffleboard, lawn darts, horseshoes, croquet, and other games suited for narrow spaces. Play areas including jungle gyms for the kids are perfect for side yards too.
One side yard can be devoted to group games, and the other to quieter activities: for example, consider a putting green.
A Sauna
Saunas are great for your health, but they can take up too much space in the backyard. A side yard sauna could be just the answer. Place the sauna on an attractive paver patio, add a bench outdoors where you can cool off next to a privacy fence, and enjoy relaxing in a spa-like atmosphere.
A Zen Garden
Soothe the soul after a hard day at work in your own private Japanese Zen garden. All you need is a gravel or sand area and a small rake; a boulder or two; a comfortable bench; a small water fountain; a flat, grassy area for meditating (or napping); privacy fencing; soft lighting; and monochromatic plantings. These elements fit into the tiniest side yard to transform it into a private oasis of tranquility.
Your side yard can become so much more than an afterthought where no one ever goes. It makes sense to always consider optimizing your landscape and look into how you can create beautiful, usable spaces. Our landscape designers and expert installers can help create amazing side yards that become destinations in their own right.
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