Planning
Before deciding how to design a backyard, you need to carefully consider its layout and determine what will be important to the owners of the site: practicality or comfort, easy appeal or magnificent design.
It is also necessary to take into account:
- illumination of this segment;
- prevailing wind direction;
- number of inhabitants of the house and their wishes:
- the need to use the backyard in winter.
The backyard space also plays an important role; in a small area you will have to give up unnecessary and bulky parts.
However, in any space you need to clearly understand what you want to get in the end.
New landscape design items for 2022
In the modern design of the area near the fence, conifers are often used: thujas (both low- and medium-growing varieties), juniper, cypress trees, and dwarf spruce trees.
When arranging a yard in a village, traditional deciduous shrubs are often chosen: lilac, jasmine, hawthorn, viburnum. They are good both in single plantings and as a hedge.
Backyard Filling
As you can see in the photo of the backyard, you can arrange:
- large or small recreation area;
- children's playground;
- plant a garden and vegetable garden;
- install outbuildings.
Each family plans the composition and allocated area of each segment independently, but so that trees and buildings do not obscure neighboring areas, and unpleasant odors do not spoil relations with neighbors.
After identifying all future zones, it will be necessary to provide water or electricity to them. The backyard design must take into account all the needs of individual areas, as well as the level of groundwater and soil composition.
And yet, most owners of a private house arrange an area in their backyard for comfortable relaxation.
Design of a private house courtyard with photos of functional areas of modern courtyards
Everyone loves order in the house and understands why it is needed. With the territory of the yard, everything is the same: each zone performs its own function.
Summer kitchen and dining room
A summer garden kitchen was once a very popular and necessary building in rural areas. But even today it has not lost its meaning:
- in the hot summer it is much easier to cook outdoors;
- modern summer buildings require the presence of a stove or barbecue, which allows you to prepare especially tasty dishes;
- the dining room, located nearby, gathers all guests close to the source of the aroma of delicious food in the fresh air;
- even in rainy weather it is pleasant to gather in the summer dining room overlooking the beautiful garden.
A stove is an optional element of a summer kitchen, but its installation will significantly diversify the household menu
The summer dining room can be open or closed
The summer kitchen can be located away from the main building or organized on the terrace of the house
Those who like to lie down after dinner will love the comfortable bed in the summer dining room
Improvement of a recreation area in the courtyard of a private house
The recreation area includes benches, upholstered furniture, swings, gazebos, and open areas.
Related article:
In our review we will find out how to construct a garden bench with a backrest with your own hands . Drawings and detailed photos will allow you to make the best design.
Gazebos in the courtyard of a private house with photo examples
A gazebo is chosen according to preferences: some people don’t like open buildings, while others find it cramped in closed spaces.
A compromise could be a gazebo with partial protection from sunlight
Textiles make any gazebo more comfortable
Small gazebos can be hidden in the bushes. Roses, wisteria, virgin grapes, morning glory, white dogwood, and viburnum Buldenezh are suitable for this.
Round gazebos do not take up much space; they are well placed in front of a pond
Advice! If there are always a lot of guests, or the family is very large, then the gazebo is made taking into account the number of seats required.
Related article:
You can make elegant gazebos from a variety of materials: simple and beautiful . The photos that you will find in this review demonstrate the best ideas and design solutions.
Open areas
Open areas do not require a canopy or roof; they are placed either in the shade of trees or in bright sun.
Since there is no canopy, pillows are used instead of upholstered furniture: if it starts to rain, they are simply brought into the house
You can install a fountain in the center of the open area. The Moorish style looks mysterious in an oriental way
The open area can be paved with sandstone, brick, tree cuttings, pebbles or simply cemented. In the photo there is a plastic board in the courtyard of a private house
When it gets dark, guests like to go out into the fresh air. Lanterns hung by the owner will make the atmosphere even more pleasant
It is not necessary to make complex designs: a bench or two sun loungers look just as good
The carpet makes the environment cozy. You can buy it on sale or secondhand - even if it gets wet by rain, it won’t be a problem
Play area and swimming pool
The word “child” is usually associated with the phrase “play area”, but not everyone has children. It's not just a children's play area - adults also love ball games, tennis, and sports equipment. If space allows, why not set aside a corner for physical relaxation?
Children's complexes consist of a slide, a climbing wall, a house, ladders, and ropes. Such designs can be made with your own hands
Well, where would we be without a sandbox?
A tennis court takes up little space and is also easy to make with your own hands
Such complexes are used not only by children, but also by adults.
Wooden complexes are strong and durable
When installing a swimming pool on a property, they immediately assess their desire to care for it. Without this, the water will quickly become dirty and bloom. There are specific requirements for pool care in winter.
An indoor pool becomes an outdoor pool in a simple way
Mini pools do not allow swimming, but are great for cooling on a hot day
The pool can be quite small, the main thing is that there is a water drainage system and a covering that protects the water from blooming in the sun.
Garden
Not everyone has the desire to plant a garden: caring for seedlings, spraying trees, pruning, treating, harvesting and processing them require time and effort. But is it really bad when plump apples and pears are at hand, bright orange sea buckthorn hangs in juicy clusters, a beautiful dogwood with its fire berries decorates the plot? There are many different shrubs and trees that, in addition to bearing fruits in summer and autumn, decorate the garden with wonderful flowers in spring.
Beautiful sweet and sour Japanese quince looks fabulous in spring
The berries will not spoil, but will decorate the space along the fence
Chinese cherry is delicious and beautiful
Barberry serves as both a decoration and a spice.
Grandparents' vegetable garden is a thing of the past: why exhaust yourself weeding paths if they can be cultivated once and for all?
Paved paths will eliminate annoying weeds
Do you agree that it looks much better this way?
If the direction of the site allows you to place the beds from north to south diagonally, then it’s even more interesting
Recommendation! It is not necessary to pave paths between the beds; the lawn will exclude any weed.
Dinner Zone
The backyard of a private home is perfect for creating an outdoor dining area. Firstly, such an area is protected from the winds by at least one wall of the house (and if you’re lucky, then three at once), and, secondly, you won’t have to walk far with plates and pots.
For a small family, it will be enough to install just a table and a couple of comfortable chairs; for people who are accustomed to hosting large feasts, they will have to create a full-fledged area. This could be an attached terrace or Mediterranean patio, a free-standing gazebo or a canopy over a large table.
In any case, electricity will have to be installed here in order to be able to enjoy intimate conversations after sunset.
For coziness and convenience, there is a barbecue area or a summer kitchen nearby, which makes the work of the home cook easier and diversifies the menu with supplies fried over an open fire.
Do-it-yourself courtyard design for a private house with photo examples
Today there are many ready-made landscape design projects for the courtyard of a private house with photos and instructions for creation. They come not only from desires, but also from financial capabilities. People often try to decorate their garden with whatever they can get their hands on: yes, parrots made from tires look funny, but where in a Japanese or English garden can you find wheels? You need to remember that the main thing is to stick to the chosen style, and not get upset at everything that you come across on the Internet.
How to decorate your yard with flower beds and flower beds with your own hands
It is not difficult to create flower beds. Here are some recommendations:
- Consider the layering of plants.
- The flowerbed should have plants that bloom at different times.
- Plants are selected strictly for the climate zone.
- The soil must meet the requirements of the crops.
You should not mix all kinds of paints in one place. A canvas made of one type of flower looks nicer
A flowerbed in a flowerpot is easy to create, but it requires proper care
A vertical flower garden is created from hanging plants
You can choose plants in the same colors
How to decorate the yard of a private house with curly trimmed bushes with photos of cutting ideas
Decorating the yard of a private house with topiary bushes with your own hands requires the ability to work with garden shears and pruning shears. If you don’t have such skills, then you should study all the nuances of the work before giving the plants a hairdresser’s execution.
There is a brush cutter for leveling plants
This is truly magical work!
Topiary art is easy to master
Thuja of this shape takes 2-3 years to complete
Do-it-yourself decoration of the yard of a private house in winter with photos of options
How to decorate the area near your house in winter? Photos of examples of winter country courtyards will serve as a hint for this.
Miscanthus is charming in winter
New Year's toys can decorate not only the Christmas tree
Plants with red stems look beautiful against the background of white snow
Remember that love for your home begins with the yard - let it become fabulously beautiful!
Rest corner
A place where you can relax serenely in the sun or, conversely, hide from it under a light roof, is considered an almost impossible dream for many of our compatriots. But you can bring it to life with just a few moves. For this you will need:
- lawn;
- a pair of armchairs or sun loungers;
- beach umbrella or canopy.
Instead of a lawn that will need to be maintained, you can install a dense floor made of tiles, wood or pebbles. A hanging chair or hammock can play the role of sun loungers.
Water
The luxury of coolness on a hot day or the calmness of water will be provided by a variety of reservoirs. To do this, it is not at all necessary to install huge ponds with fountains or pools for a dozen people.
A tiny pond made from a regular car tire or a store-bought version of an unusual shape will do. And instead of a frame pool, you can expand a small inflatable element.
A unique waterfall can be made from jugs mounted on one of the walls, or simply let a small stream flow over vertically installed stones.
Fire Pit Ideas for Small Yards
What's great about fire pits is that they come in a variety of styles and sizes, and you're sure to find the right one for your yard. If you can't find one that suits you, build your own using rock patio ideas for inspiration.
When choosing a fire pit, consider the size. It should fit proportionally into the space. This will allow you to easily move around your patio while it's burning, and it should also be large to provide enough heat during the colder months.
Think about what fuel it will burn on. Some fire pits are made for wood, while others use propane gas. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and the type you choose will depend entirely on your preferences.
Dry stream
If you don’t really want to deal with water, you can make a dry stream.
For this you will need:
- sand;
- geotextiles;
- stones.
To add additional comfort, such a creation can be decorated with a decorative bridge, herbs, and flowers.
landscaping
Plants will give you beauty and a feeling of unity with nature. It can be:
- flower beds laid out at the entrance to the zone or framing it along the perimeter;
- fast-growing vines that create green walls and fill the air with oxygen and the soul with peace;
- flowers and trees in flowerpots, tubs, flowerpots or boxes;
- ornamental or fruit shrubs.
Paths
The exit to the backyard is equipped with paths. They can also divide the entire territory into functional zones. To create cozy paths use:
- special tiles;
- gravel;
- brick;
- tree.
To add additional attractiveness, the paths are equipped with borders of flowers, shrubs, stones, and decorative fences.
Choosing a style for arranging a site
When choosing a style, it is best to start from the style decision of the house. For a house made of timber or a log house, a country-style environment is suitable. French Provence is also good for wooden buildings.
The only difference is in the shades: country is characterized by warm shades: yellow-brown wood, bright cheerful colors of flowers, Provence - cold shades of sun-bleached wood, bleached by sea winds, and a flower garden in pink and lilac tones.
For a brick house or a house covered with stone or decorative plaster, the Mediterranean style is suitable. In it, the usual plants of the middle zone are replaced by southern ones, and an abundance of roses and exotics predominates. Clay pots and wrought iron furniture with an abundance of colorful pillows complete the look.
A modern environment is suitable for a house with panoramic windows. Minimalism and simplicity are emphasized by quality materials: porcelain tiles in neutral tones, light-colored garden furniture, a perfect lawn surrounded by a few shrubs. Nothing superfluous, nothing flashy.
Lighting
A beautiful backyard cannot be imagined without good lighting. In this case, the light source can be:
- traditional solar-powered garden lanterns framing paths and the perimeter of the allocated area;
- LED strips creating exquisite twilight;
- cheerful New Year's garlands that create a festive mood;
- garden sconces;
- ordinary chandeliers.
By the way, you can create lampshades for chandeliers yourself using branches, twine, and fabric. Or find an old vintage lamp in the attic.
Furniture and decor
Backyard furnishings don't have to be expensive and high-end. Of course, wrought iron or wicker furniture will add additional charm and show the family's wealth, but the average patio will look great with homemade items from construction pallets or leftover boards.
Ordinary inexpensive plastic furniture will also work well.
There are also no restrictions on the use of decorative elements. The main thing is that there are not too many of them. Decoration elements can be purchased at gardening stores or created with your own hands from wood, plaster, tires, old shoes and household items.
Arches and pergolas will elegantly border the entrance to the backyard, and curtains attached to them will add lightness and airiness to the area or create an atmosphere of complete privacy.
Creating a cozy backyard will not require Herculean efforts, especially since planning and selecting the necessary accessories can be done in the winter, bringing together all household members and revealing the talents of each family member.
Backyard Seating Ideas
Too often, a small backyard turns into a mud pit. Don't be upset if your yard looks like this. It's hard to maintain a healthy lawn when it's tiny. The solution is to remove all dry and dying grass and lay down a deck. Since your yard is small, this would be a good idea for the area.
Expect to cover most of the space with decking that can accommodate the entire outdoor living space. You can turn it into an outdoor dining area. Or create a fire pit and arrange a sofa or seating area around it in an L or U shape, creating an ideal space for entertaining.
For a natural feel, make your decking out of wood. However, if you're looking for a low-maintenance option (and wood tends to age), consider using a composite material. It's a little more expensive to install, but with long-term maintenance you'll save a ton of money. It also comes in a variety of colors, so you can customize the look of your decking to suit your tastes.
