Successful backyard design adds to the comfort and use of your outdoor space and home. With proper planning you can manage your available space to its best space use.
I’ve lived in cities where the only available space was container gardens or windows. I rented and had to work out a system where you get a landlords permission to do any backyard activity and I’ve been blessed with unlimited space in a rural setting. All situations have challenges and steps to make the best use of any space available.
So even if you live in a city or town you will be able to find a way to use some of the space available to you even if it’s a windowsill, patio, balcony or rooftop.
One step in backyard or garden design is to simplify your work. You want a beautiful garden and living space but setting up an easy design with multiple uses for each space will give you more time to enjoy the yard and family activities.
So as a starting point consider these questions to help you design the perfect backyard oasis.
1. Uses for the yard. Is it mainly relaxation where a garden, patio or swimming area will be a focal point?
2. Ages that will use the yard. And will these ages be changing in a few years. This will determine if a backyard area is childproofed, if a pool is a useful option or if outdoor buildings such as a workshop or potting shed would be handy.
3. Is the size of your available space a major consideration? Will each area need to serve a variety of uses to encompass everyone’s needs? Is your available space limited to a porch or small space by a garage? Small spaces create challenges but make beautiful hideaways.
4. How to blend the new design in with your home and any design elements currently in place.
5. And most important is the amount of money and time you are willing to devote to planning a design for your living space.
Backyard Oasis is offering a contest from March 16th to 23rd to help you with backyard design. Just place a comment below this article on what area of your yard you would like to have a fresh new look for. Three selected ideas will have a design made for their yard. The designs will be made with cost effective plans.
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I would like information or a design for a small patio area. I have about a 2 1/2 foot by 6 to 8 foot area available. I might have room for some hanging planters
We love lush tropical landscaping. We have a beautiful new house in Houston with a small backyard. We would like to create a “Balinese” feel to our backyard which is (long and narrow) and to have an oasis that our two teenage daughters can enjoy with friends.
I grew up in the country and miss gardening an being outdoors. I have a small balcony that overlooks a hill, so the view is nice but there is no yard space available. The nearest park in 3 blocks away.
If I could make a small mini garden area I would be thrilled. The balcony has a 6 sliding door that leads to a balcony that is 4 foot by 8 or 9 foot. Sun is bright during the day
I have a space near the garage that I would like to make a raised bed garden in. The soil is worthless – all rock and clay.
I want to raise enough vegetables for two. My wife wants some flowers.
My backyard is 70 feet long and 20 feet wide. We have 2 side yards that run along side the house. I have always wanted a backyard that was fun for entertaining, having a nice summer dinner, and to be able to enjoy some quiet reading time. I want some grass, a vegetable garden, and some color. We have a hot tub, but no pool.