41 Backyard Landscaping Ideas for Next-Level Outdoor Living

Whether you’re looking to host a cookout, spend more quality time with family, or simply relax and unwind, creating a backyard sanctuary can open up a world of possibilities. Landscape design costs between $500 and $14,000—quite the range due to the countless options for you to explore. Check out these backyard landscaping ideas to capitalize on the untapped potential in your outdoor space.

1. Social Fire Pit

Exchanging stories with friends and family around a fire is one of the best ways to socialize outdoors, so promote togetherness in your yard with an integrated hardscaped fire pit.  

To replicate this backyard landscaping idea, lay down pavers, and build up the fire pit using stone. Continue using the stone to create bench seating so you always have enough space for guests. Extend your fire pit season by using a gas fire pit insert  for instant warmth during chilly months.

2. Secluded Gazebo

A major benefit to installing a gazebo is always having a shady place to relax and take in the views, even when the sun is at its highest peak. What’s more, you can enjoy your backyard when it’s raining thanks to the gazebo’s roof. But the best part has to be the privacy that it offers, making it especially good for houses on corner lots without an expansive backyard. Installing a gazebo costs, on average, $5,700, though you can find some budget-friendly DIY options as well.

3. Sizzling Outdoor Kitchen

Take al fresco dining to a new level by adding an outdoor kitchen space to your backyard. Install weatherproof cabinets and countertops, and add a water line so you can have a sink and even an outdoor dishwasher. Keep melamine plates and weatherproof cookware in your cabinets so you don’t have to keep running back and forth between your indoor and outdoor cooking spaces. The cost to build an outdoor kitchen ranges from $1,000 to $52,000, so rest assured that you can tailor your design to your budget.  

4. Contained Fencing

Add privacy to your yard and elevate your landscape design by enclosing the space with a fence. Even though fencing tends to have a high upfront cost, the benefits it provides are sought after by potential buyers, increasing your resale value. There are many types of fences to choose from, each with its own longevity, price point, and style.

5. Natural Wildlife Habitat

If your idea of relaxation is being immersed in the wilderness, turn your backyard into a habitat for wildlife. Attract birds or butterflies to your home by giving them shelter and food in your yard. Add birdseed feeders, flowering plants, and shrubs that bear fruits to serve as food sources. And don’t forget water sources in the form of a pond complete with a waterfall, or a modest bird bath. 

6. Multi-Level Decking

If you don’t have an area that leads to your yard directly from your main floor, consider installing a multi-level deck. Having a deck that connects your main living space to your backyard will encourage you and your family to use your outdoor space more. 

A large upper deck can also provide views you can enjoy as the seasons change. While large, intricate decking may have a high upfront cost, it adds value to your home and provides a better layout for your backyard landscape design. 

7. Stone Retaining Wall

Contain sloped yards or steep drop-offs by building a stone retaining wall. Using large stone blocks for the wall material is natural-looking and visually appealing. Retaining walls are also practical by helping to mitigate moisture and control floods with a proper drainage system. If you choose to install a retaining wall, though, you should budget accordingly. The cost of a retaining wall can range from $3,000 to $9,000, depending on the size, materials, and location.

8. Breezy Pergola

A pergola provides a light and airy feel while defining your outdoor living space. Place a set of oversized cozy chairs with an outdoor table under the structure. Then, add a patio and walkway leading up to the pergola to create cohesion and an easy transition from other areas on your property. Plant climbing greenery up the beams for extra charm. 

9. Rock Waterfall

Another backyard landscaping idea is to incorporate rocks into the area by creating a tiered waterfall or a similar backyard water feature. Rocks are a low-maintenance material and can add tranquility when combined with a water feature. Integrate plants and stone statues into the waterfall to put your personal spin on the design.

10. Calming Hot Tub

Turn up the heat and add a hot tub to your backyard for a stress-relieving space that you can enjoy with friends and family all year round. Add lounge chairs next to the hot tub for maximum relaxation. 

11. Container Garden

If you have a small backyard but still enjoy gardening, consider a container garden. It’s a simple way to enjoy the benefits of fresh plants, even if your outdoor space is limited. Plus, containers are low-maintenance because you can move your potted plants as you please, and they are less susceptible to weeds.  

12. Paver Walkway

Use interlocking low-maintenance pavers to make a path from your front yard to your backyard. Line the walkway with mulch, greenery, and hearty plants like hydrangeas for a pop of color. Integrating a paver walkway to other stone hardscaped areas of your yard, like a patio, can add visual appeal and increase the value of your home.

13. Mood Lighting

String up lights in your outdoor living space for a festive glow that makes a patio usable long into the night. Hang trendy globe lights, and place solar lanterns near outdoor furniture so you can entertain even when the sun goes down. 

14. Peaceful Rock Garden

Rock gardens can add variety and dimension to your yard. Compared to traditional gardens, they are lower maintenance and hold up well in harsh weather conditions. 

That’s right—gone are the days of covering plants at the first sign of frost. Instead, all you have to do is pick a variety of rock colors and sizes, and then plant some hearty shrubbery for a dash of green.

15. Pool Paradise

If you already have a swimming pool but it lacks flair, consider the ways you can elevate your backyard design by using it as a centerpiece. Add hardscaping around the border, then plant brightly colored flowers and lush shrubs around the side. Transforming your pool creates an inspiring area that encourages more use and summer fun.

16. Cozy Fireplace

Maximize the time you spend in your backyard by installing a built-in fireplace. Use stacked stone all the way up the wall to create a focal point and designated place for guests to gather. A wood fireplace has the added benefit of helping prevent bugs, giving you more opportunities for outdoor year-round fun.

17. Integrated Treehouse

A classic treehouse can provide lifelong memories and an area for kids to play that is immersed in nature. Pick a sturdy tree in your yard, and choose a treehouse design that has a covered roof so they can enjoy it even when it’s raining. Bonus points if you include your family in the planning and building process for an opportunity to bond. Building your own custom treehouse can be achieved in just under a week with an extra set of hands and a pile of lumber. You can also hire a treehouse builder to handle this backyard project if you’d rather not DIY.

18. Foundation Garden

There are many clever ways to keep your foundation safe from water damage, and the right backyard landscaping ideas can help. Surround your foundation with a gravel rock garden or permeable pavers to assist with natural drainage and keep too much moisture from pooling around your foundation ways.

19. Low-Maintenance Turf

Dreaming of a backyard that doesn't require hours of weekly mowing, weeding, and treating? Artificial turf sits near the top of the list of the best low-maintenance landscape ideas. Not only does it require less water, but it can frame the rest of your garden with a consistent burst of color without dying out in the winter. 

20. Add a Versatile Patio

One of the greatest perks of installing a patio is its endless list of uses. Designate a paved area for everything your backyard can offer. From rolling out the grill to designing a new flower container garden, design a patio that's ready for it all. Remember to consider how the patio pairs with your home's architecture and exterior colors.

21. Pair Classic Stonework

While we often think of all the lush and green elements of a landscape, stonework goes just as far to add style to your backyard landscape ideas. Line natural pavers beside all types of landscaping rocks. Rounded river rocks, as shown here, and delicate and colorful without pulling focus from the garden.

22. Upgrade Your Veggie Garden

You don't need acres of space to plant a veggie garden that impresses the pros. Support your tall plants and climbing vines with a flexible trellis. Surround the trellis with chicken wire if you are concerned about pests coming to munch on your tomatoes. Be sure to place your vegetables in well-draining soil or in planters that encourage drainage.

23. Design a Natural Pool Deck

While we typically picture concrete and tile surrounding a pool, wooden pool decks blend with the natural surroundings of a lush backyard. A custom wood pool deck costs more than other basic materials, such as concrete, but it offers a stunning look that can be re-painted and stained over the years.

24. Make the Most of Small Space

Don't be discouraged by a diminutive outdoor space. Ideas for small backyards are just as clever and stylish as those with rolling pastures. Separate your lounging area from your veggie and flower garden to create options, and use container gardens to alter the layout of the space whenever you need.

25. Think Vertically

If you're surrounded by fences, walls, or shrubs in your backyard, reimagine these structures as walls—the same way you would inside. Consider adding hanging planters or climbing plants around their structures to maximize how much natural color can fill your landscape.

26. Surround with Ivy

While there are some major ups and downs to growing ivy on your house, you can safely surround your landscape with ivy when placed correctly. Ivy on your fence, pergola, and trellis adds more shade and creates a cooling effect in an exposed backyard. This also works well when you're trying to maximize privacy in a small outback living space.

27. Add a Koi Pond

Maintaining a koi pond is less of a simple backyard landscaping idea and more of a hobby that—happily—can become your entire personality. That being said, it can be incredibly rewarding to balance these delicate backyard ecosystems that can add a stunning focal point to your backyard design.

28. Expand with a Trellis

Show off your childhood enthusiasm for The Secret Garden by adding a trellis to your backyard. Place it at the start of a stone walkway or at the entrance of a flower garden. It is also a wonderful place to grow climbing plants that flower and add vibrant color to your yard. Consider pairing a trellis with a wooden fence or adding a gate when enclosing a section of your property. 

29. Mimic an English Garden

Did you know that gardens have styles just like the varieties of interior design? If you're a fan of gardens dense with Boxwoods and bursting with color, consider designing an English-style garden. Create hidden places to read, rest, and explore with small garden paths and surprise patches of flowers.

30. Embrace Rose Gardening

Caring for rose bushes may come with the unfair reputation of being particularly difficult, but it can be learned. The trick comes down to buying the right roses for your area, testing your soil, and making sure to follow each variety's watering and pruning instructions. At the end of the day, however, properly planted roses will flourish with very little fuss, especially when you give them enough room to flourish.

31. Install Safety Lighting

Backyard design and exterior landscape lighting go hand in hand. Lighting is not just about adorable twinkling lights—though those are fabulous. Safety landscape lighting illuminates pathways, poolscapes, and the area you pass through at night to take out the trash. Not only does it highlight your lovely landscape, but it prevents you from taking a spill as well.

32. Maximize Shade

When thinking big picture about your landscape, remember to balance how much sun and shade fill your backyard. Some plants require full sun to thrive while others do best in the shadows. Adding shady plants can also cut down on how often you need to water your lawn and how many hours you can lounge without worrying about getting a sunburn.

33. Build a Freestanding Greenhouse

Imagine having extra space for your quickly growing family of houseplants. Greenhouses can either attach to your home or stand separately. There are even DIY greenhouse options. Greenhouse kits include everything you need—minus a few common tools—to get your plant sanctuary up and running.

34. Frame Your Hosting Space

Whether you have a tiny backyard or a large garden with nooks and crannies, consider wrapping your backyard hosting space in shrubs, flowers, and trees. Surrounding your dining area with plants offers privacy and provides a chance to wow your guests with your gardening skills.

35. Keep it Simple

Just like any room in your house, backyard landscaping ideas come down to ambiance–but, you don’t need a lot of it to pull off a look. Consider the vibe you want to convey on a warm summer evening with friends. Hang eclectic lanterns and light candles—be sure to keep them on a fire-safe surface. Allow your ivy and climbing plants to grow freely to create more privacy.

36. Line the Way

If you're designing your landscape from scratch, begin by exploring ideas that create a natural flow in your backyard. Point the way around your home with a stone walkway that leads to a gate or fence. Reflect the curve of the path in the garden on either side of the pathway.

37. Edging with Brick

Garden edging is the secret to a clean transition between your flower beds and your grass turf. And while there are many ways to pull off this look, edging with brick creates a sharp contrast while providing a strong enough barrier to protect against erosion. Edging with brick stylistically blends with everything from a stone to a grass patio. 

38. Encourage the Birds

You know you've created a healthy backyard ecosystem when you're the bird hotspot in town. Encourage bird visitors by adding water features such as bird baths and fountains. Include areas for birds to burrow and nest—particularly by caring for your trees—and by growing native plants that birds will love.

39. Add a Gravel Path

Even the wildest gardens can use a bit of basic structure. If you don't want to worry about installing permanent concrete or pavers, lay a gravel path yourself to offer space to meander through your free-growing backyard. The path will also allow you to access new areas of your garden for everyday care.

40. Frame a Kitchen

As you plan or restructure your outdoor BBQ area, consider how it's framed in regard to the rest of your yard. Frame your outdoor kitchen with a retaining wall, container plants, or both to ensure that the cooking area blends seamlessly into the lawn. The barrier is an excellent place to add outdoor lighting.

41. Get Whimsical

Backyard landscape ideas should also showcase your unique style. Hang lights that frame your seating area and encourage conversation late into the evening. Keep in mind that you don't need a large budget to create a playful landscape lighting plan, especially if you want to alter the design for each season.