How to make the most of a side yard – landscape designers share 6 inspiring ideas for these often tricky spaces

Often, an 'out of sight, out of mind' mentality applies when it comes to our side yards. They tend to be long and thin, and sometimes shady, which can make things feel daunting when it comes to design.

However, there are ways to turn these unassuming areas into practical, pretty, and even playful zones, that complement the rest of your backyard ideas. A new seating spot, a handy storage space, or even an edible garden could all be a possibility.

For inspiration, I turned to landscaping professionals – all of who have experience in transforming these types of spaces. Below, you'll find plenty of gorgeous ideas, as well as expert insights on planting, materials, and more.

How to make the most of a side yard – beautiful and functional looks

As garden designer Annika Zetterman says, 'Consider any space of your garden as an opportunity, despite size and shape, to bring joy to yourself and to help wildlife.' If you've already perused our small garden ideas, you'll know that there are always stylish options to try.

Annika Zetterman

Annika Zetterman is one of Scandinavia's most influential garden designers. She creates captivating gardens with a love for the land, within the Nordics and beyond. Annika is the author of the bestselling book New Nordic Gardens, published by Thames & Hudson.

Create a tranquil seating area

Sacha McCrae, the founder of Living Gardens Landscape Design, notes how side yards are often forgotten and 'relegated to a utility area or pass-through for the maintenance gardeners'. However, she highlights how they can be several feet wide with overlooking windows, and that some simple changes can extend a home's square footage and create great views.

She explains that in the case above, there used to be a boring concrete paved area with raised brick planters, which made the space feel narrow. 'There was nowhere to sit and the overgrown shrubs felt imposing.

'We removed everything existing and created a flagstone path to a small seating area for morning coffee at the start of a busy day,' she says. 'A bubbling birdbath is now opposite the French doors, framed by red leaf Japanese maples. The sound of the water feature can be heard from inside when the doors are open.'

Sacha McCrae

Sacha McCrae is the founder and designer at Living Gardens Landscape Design, a boutique Orange County, California, garden design company. Living Gardens creates welcoming outdoor rooms that are beautiful and functional, incorporating natural materials and lush, drought-tolerant plant palettes.

Utilize the narrow space with a putting green

'This side yard reimagines a traditionally overlooked space into an interactive and playful putting green, proving that function and fun can coexist in landscape design,' says the Garden Studio Design team, based in Newport Beach, California. 'The use of artificial turf ensures a pristine, low-maintenance surface year-round, while organic border plantings soften the space and create a natural transition.'

Fancy trying it at home? To maximize the experience, the team suggests layering in ambient lighting for evening play. They also recommend selecting drought-tolerant greenery that complements the vibrant green of the turf without requiring excessive upkeep.

Elevate a pathway

A side yard often acts as an important pathway from A to B, but that doesn't mean it can't be beautifully designed, too. This design by Annika Zetterman is a perfect example, merging plenty of plants with sculptural shapes and interesting textures.

'Columns of Taxus shrubs stand tall, perfect for narrow spaces, whilst a delicate Acer palmatum changes color with the seasons, resonating with the house and walls with its earthy tones,' Annika says. 'The planting provides shelter for small wildlife year round.'

Nature Hills has a range of acers available, if you'd like one for your own space.

A carpet of solid green Pachysandra terminalis accentuates the hard landscaping, and looks as though it would hold the path and carry people across, Annika continues. She also highlights how the wooden path balances the heavy structures with its light appearance. 'Looking deeper, a circular sheet of Corten steel is recessed under the path, as a fictive water well, lit at night.

'All details combined make this narrow garden a rich space, a place to be enjoyed and explored over and over again.'

We love this side yard from Garden Studio Design, too. 'A cobblestone path softens the transition, while layered greenery and climbing roses add life to the space,' they explain.

'The pergola provides structure to the entry while also serving as an architectural accent that elevates the home’s curb appeal. Thoughtful details – like built-in seating, statement planters, and warm wood tones – make this space feel like an extension of the home rather than just a pass-through.'

Get growing with raised beds

If you're interested in an easy-care vegetable garden, a sunny side yard with a little more space could be just the right spot.

'Side yards with ample sunlight offer the perfect opportunity for an edible garden – great for the culinary chef looking for fresh, homegrown ingredients just steps away,' says the Garden Studio Design team.

Commenting on the design shown above, they explain how raised treated pine boxes provide a dedicated space for growing herbs, vegetables, and seasonal produce, while the gravel path keeps the area low-maintenance and accessible.

'If space and sunlight allow, we also recommend planting espaliered fruit trees to add height and dimension to the space, especially when the garden boxes are being seasonally overturned.'

Fast Growing Trees has a wide variety of fruit trees available to buy.

Consider installing an outdoor shower

'Located just off the primary bedroom and bathroom of the residence, this side yard was transformed into a functional and serene retreat through the installation of this bespoke outdoor shower,' says the Garden Design Studio team. 'It is a perfect demonstration of how even narrow spaces can serve a purpose beyond just circulation.

'The light-hued gravel and limestone pavers provide a natural yet refined foundation, ensuring proper drainage from overspray while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. The vertical wood slat fencing adds warmth and privacy (with the same wood stain used as the structure of the shower to create cohesiveness throughout the space), while dense greenery softens the edges and enhances the sense of seclusion.'

Looking to recreate something similar? The team highly recommends layering evergreen plantings for year-round lushness, as demonstrated above. They also suggest integrating materials that weather beautifully over time, like aged brass and natural stone, to 'create a space that feels both intentional and timeless'.

Keep practical items neatly out of sight

Particularly narrow side yards may not be suitable for seating. However, they can still be incredibly useful.

Consider using yours to tuck away some well-organized storage, such as a tall log store or a chest for outdoor games. Alternatively, they can make a perfect spot for a potting bench – along with bags of compost and tools.

Speaking of compost, your side yard could be the ideal place for a wormery. You could also add a rain barrel, attached to the guttering of your house – a great way to garden more sustainably.

FAQs

How should you choose plants for your side yard?

Sacha McCrae says a limited plant palette is essential in a small space to not overwhelm it. 'Keep it simple,' she adds.

Of course, the best options are ones that work with your hardiness zone and the soil type and sunlight available in the space, otherwise you'll risk fighting a losing battle trying to keep them happy and healthy. Our list of plants for shade is a good place to start if your side yard doesn't get much sun.

Always remember to check the eventual sizes of plants, too, which is particularly important where space is at a premium. Vertical gardening ideas, such as utilizing climbing plants, can complement narrow areas well.

How can you make a side yard low-maintenance?

Landscaping with gravel is a good option for easy-care side yards: it helps with drainage, doesn't need mowing like a lawn, looks good, and can enhance garden security, too, due to its crunch underfoot.

Consider combining it with drought-tolerant landscaping ideas for a stress-free space.

Once you've given your side yard a glow-up, don't let your front yard landscaping ideas fall short! Our list of expert ideas has plenty to inspire you.