Unique Side Yard Landscaping Ideas for Your Home

As landscapers, we talk a lot about front yards and backyards—but what about side yards? Many people overlook the areas on either side of their house and think of them as nothing more than a pathway from the front yard to the backyard, but we believe they have much more potential.

Whether you have open grass or a narrow space between your house and a privacy fence, there are ways to make your side yard work for you. Read on for some of our favorite suggestions to make the side of your house a beautiful space that expands your area to work and play.

Children’s Playspace

A Bower & Branch plan with a climbing wall for kids 

No matter how oddly shaped your side yard might be, there’s someone who’ll appreciate that it: your kids. You can easily upgrade your unused side yard into a kid’s paradise with simple additions based on the layout. There are endless possibilities—think play castles, a sports area, a mess-allowed art nook, a hopscotch court…

We've seen our design team get extra creative with a great climbing wall in an unused side yard, which is an amazing way to build vertical space into a narrow area. If your space is very narrow, a great option is a mural-sized chalkboard with a sand box! Tailor your design to what the kids in your life love and your side yard will quickly become the most used outdoor space at your home.

A Bower & Branch plan with a chalkboard and sand pit in a narrow side yard

Garden Area

A Bower & Branch client with an updated side yard from their design plan 

Make your side yard work for you with a garden plot or two! You can add some great flowers to spruce up the area and add color. If you have enough sun, vegetable gardens are a fun option to produce something delicious to toss in tonight’s salad!

Raised beds and container gardening both make easy options to squeeze into spaces of almost any shape, all without needing to dig into the ground.  Just be sure to think about the light you get in your side yard before you plant any seedlings—those tomatoes won’t grow if a privacy fence leaves them in constant shade.

Add a potting bench to make tools easily accessible and for storage. 

Vertical Garden

 A Bower & Branch pan with a vertical garden sign for visual interest

What if your space is extremely narrow but you still love the look of greenery? Meet the vertical garden—a type of space-efficient gardening that can utilize any fence or wall that gets sunlight. You can create a flower trellis for vining plants to grow up to add some visual interest out your window, or even create a mounted herb garden!

There are many types of purchasable or easily DIYed planters that can turn a side yard fence into an area to grow strawberries, salad greens, and fresh herbs. Some mounted planters even come with irrigation built in to make these gardens simple and low maintenance. Choosing plants that will work with your sun/shade requirement and climate is key to selecting the right options!

Dog Run

A Bower & Branch plan with a dog run in a shaded side yard

If you’ve got a long side yard space to work with, that makes the perfect functional space for a dog run. Even if the space feels a little awkward for human use, your four-legged family members will appreciate the space to stretch their legs and get the zoomies out before an afternoon nap in the sun.

Think about using a hardy groundcover that can withstand heavy paw-traffic. If you like the look of grass, tall fescue is a sturdy option that will resist lawn burn from pet urine. You can also opt for long-lasting grass alternatives including artificial turf, pea gravel, and wood chips. You might also consider adding fences for free running, shade areas, and access to water after a good play session.

A dog run in a Bower & Branch client’s shaded side yard

Putting Green

A Bower & Branch plan with a putting green

If you’re struggling to find good narrow side yard ideas and you love a day out on the green, a side yard putting green might be the ideal option for you. All it takes is a stretch of natural or artificial turf and a hole to turn an awkwardly long and narrow side yard into a space to enjoy the outdoors and perfect your putt. Level up your putting green with uneven terrain, golf club storage, or a seating area to rest your feet after you get a few good strokes in.

Outdoor Shower

A Bower & Branch plan with an outdoor shower in the side yard

If you have room and good drainage, an outdoor shower is a great luxury for any house! Just make sure it's private enough before you start planning!

Seating Areas

A Bower & Branch plan with a great side yard seating area

We're always looking to maximize our client's outdoor living space and what better use of a side yard than adding an intimate, out of the way area to relax. A small seating area with string lights overhead, maybe a small fire pit - you can create more room for entertaining, relaxing and more.

Trash Cans or Equipment Storage

A Bower & Branch plan with AC units covered on the side

Look, we all have garbage, and it can be a struggle to make sure your trash (or AC units, etc.) aren’t an eyesore. Use your side yard as a private nook to hide away garbage and recycling bins behind a privacy fence or strategically placed trees and plants. They’ll be close enough to the curb to easily wheel out on garbage day without being a constantly visible part of your landscaping. You can cover or hide your AC units or anything else that’s in your side yard through smart design.

Compost Area

A Bower & Branch plan with compost bins and containers

You can also use this as a composting area! Home composting can be surprisingly easy and low impact (and yes, that means it doesn’t have to stink). Whether you prefer an open-air compost pile or closed bins, this is an excellent spot to tuck them away. All the better if this area is close to any garden beds where you’ll want to spread that nutritious compost!

Pool or Hot Tub

A Bower & Branch plan with a pool

Okay, we know what you’re thinking—pools are big how would those fit into a side yard? Can I put a pool in my side yard? Well, it depends on the size of the pool and the size of your side yard, but we’ve seen it done. There are plenty of ways you can lounge in the water without needing to install a massive in-ground pool. Compact options include cocktail pools, stock tank pools, and plunge pools. All of these options have a small footprint in your yard but make a huge upgrade to your side patio ideas! 

If soaking in the warmth is more your style, a hot tub is calling your name. Above-ground installation and a relatively small size makes a hot tub an option even if you’re looking for small side yard ideas. This upgrade will also increase the hours of the day you’ll want to use your outdoor living spaces. What’s better than stargazing from the comfort of your hot tub?

Functional Landscaping Issues to Consider

If none of these ideas strike a chord with you or you’re just looking to keep things simple, there are still plenty of small side yard landscaping ideas that will make your side yard more livable and beautiful. Remember to consider things like:

An aerial look at a Bower & Branch plan with a curved side yard walkway

If your side yard is primarily used as a walkway, why not make it the best it can be? Begin by cleaning up any overgrown plants or clutter to ensure there’s a clear and comfortable path. You might consider widening the walkway for better access or adding interest with winding curves instead of a straight line, if you have room.

Enhancing the walkway with materials like gravel, mulch, or flagstones is a great way to increase its appeal while keeping things budget-friendly. For added charm, line the path with low-growing plants or lighting, giving your side yard a welcoming, illuminated feel in the evening.

The Light 

A Bower & Branch plan with raised garden beds in a side yard

Assess the light conditions in your side yard—this is a key factor in choosing the right plants and materials.

• Shade: For low-light areas, opt for shade-loving plants like ferns, hostas, or ivy, which can create a lush, green environment without the constant need for sunlight. Ground cover options such as moss or creeping Jenny can replace grass and thrive in shaded conditions, reducing maintenance time. Alternatively, if you’re aiming for a more minimalist approach, install concrete pavers or stepping stones for easy access.
• Full Sun: If your side yard enjoys full sun, you’re in luck. This opens up a wider range of side yard ideas, like planting sun-loving, low-maintenance plants such as lavender, ornamental grasses, or succulents. These not only withstand the heat but also add texture and color to the space without requiring constant care. For a more functional touch, consider raised garden beds or herb gardens—perfect for homeowners who enjoy cooking with fresh, home-grown ingredients.

Your side yard can also double as a private retreat if privacy is a concern. Install tall, narrow plants like arborvitae along the boundary to create a natural screen. You could also incorporate a fence or trellis, with climbing vines like clematis or wisteria for added privacy and visual interest.

Another important consideration is the drainage of your side yard. If your side yard tends to collect water, creating muddy conditions, consider adding a French drain or grading the area to encourage better water flow. Incorporating permeable pavers or gravel pathways can also help manage water runoff while keeping your walkway functional and dry.

By taking these functional landscaping aspects into account, you’ll be able to maximize the usability of your side yard, transforming it into an attractive and practical extension of your home.

 If you want someone to help you bring your ideas to life, we can help with our easy online landscape design process! Our design experts are pros at turning any side yard into a space that will become your new favorite outdoor feature.