Landscaping can start with a dull outdoor space and turn it into an eye-pleasing oasis with planning and some elbow grease.
Let our experts show you how easy it can be to create an outdoor space, sure to become the favorite spot in your home. In this article, discover the 15 best landscaping techniques to transform any outdoor space from drab to absolutely fab.
Best Landscaping Ideas To Transform Your Outdoor Space
Say goodbye to your drab outdoor space and hello to a fabulous outdoor oasis with these clever landscaping ideas sure to transform your outdoor living into a favorite place to be.
From simple DIY projects to more extensive yard work, we have you covered with our list of the best landscaping techniques:
1. Add a Garden Path
Creating an aesthetically pleasing garden path is a practical solution for breaking up areas of your yard and offering unique new pathways that complement your home and outdoor living areas.
You can make pathways from anything that matches the features of your home and living spaces to enhance the beauty of your landscaping design, such as:
- Stepping stones
- Gravel
- Cedar chips
- Patio stones
You can plant flowers along the edges of your pathways, add shrubs, place lawn ornaments, add a bench along the garden path, or plant grass for a clean, uncluttered landscaping look.
2. Plant a Flower Bed
Flowers are an easy way to brighten up a dull landscape and add color to your yard space. Whether you are into the vintage look or you prefer a more modern landscape, there are several types of DIY flower bed ideas to create a splash of landscaping color, such as:
Tree Stump Flower Beds
Old tree stumps are difficult to remove from your yard and even harder to cover up. Why not turn them into beautiful flower beds that showcase your yard? The possibilities for adding color to your old tree stumps are endless.
You can add spike plants to the centers of your tree stumps, with vibrant colored flowers surrounding them, fill your old tree stumps with ferns or green plants, or add solid blooms of seasonal flowers to brighten your yard space.
Built-In Deck Boxes
Built-in deck boxes are another excellent way to add color to your landscaping. Deck boxes are ideal for busy people who lack time for extensive gardening. Garden boxes are easy to maintain and keep weed free while adding color to your landscaping design.
Build a Stone Wall Flower Bed
Adding a stone wall flower bed to your outdoor living space is a budget-friendly way to add beauty to any landscape. Experiment with different flowers and colors to match your decor.
3. Add Shrubs and Greenery to Landscaping
Another easy landscaping technique to add beauty to your outdoor space is planting shrubs or greenery in your yard. Shrubs are simple to care for and usually only require fertilizing and pruning a few times yearly, depending on the plant. Some ideal shrubs may include:
- Cedar trees
- Boxwood hedges
- The Anglo-Japanese yew
- Juniper bushes
4. Low-Maintenance Gravel
Building an outdoor gathering spot by spreading a load of gravel on the ground and adding lawn furniture and lighted garden spikes is another easy way to create usable outdoor space. A truckload of gravel is also budget-friendly. So, you won’t break the bank with this clever landscaping technique.
You can also use leftover gravel for other landscaping purposes, such as the following ideas:
- To make garden pathways
- As edging around flowerbeds
- As an alternative to much in gardens
5. Build a Wooden Deck
This landscaping idea will require a carpenter to complete the job. Adding a wooden deck to your home is an excellent way to incorporate more outdoor space for your landscaping and a fantastic outdoor entertainment hub.
The deck size may vary depending on your house design and yard space. A wooden deck provides the perfect setting for:
- Backyard barbeques
- Outdoor gatherings
- Dinner parties
6. Add Privacy Screens
Adding privacy screens to your landscaping is ideal for creating budget-friendly outdoor spaces.
Stylish privacy scenes also add seclusion and peacefulness to your landscaping and give you a quiet space to sit and read a book, sunbathe, or have a discrete coffee date without neighbors sneaking a peak.
Some DIY ideas for privacy screens to add to your landscaping may include the following suggestions:
- Old tin roof panels
- Lattice
- Antique doors
7. Add a Covered Patio
Spending time outdoors is always nice, especially when escaping the sun under a covered patio. Whether spending the day reading, sipping on a beverage, or having a nap by the pool, a covered patio adds to the ambiance of a peaceful setting.
Covered patios provide an escape from the sunshine and help preserve the life of your outdoor furnishings. There are various types of covered patios you can install, such as:
- Wooden pergolas
- A roof trellis
- A raised porch
- An awning
8. Create Eye-Pleasing Backdrops
Backdrops are ideal for covering up unsightly neighborhood messes or to provide privacy for small yards or porches.
Backdrops come in a variety of styles. So have some fun shopping for one that matches the aesthetics of your home. Some common types of backdrops may include the following ideas:
- Roll down privacy screens
- Flower falls
- Macrame hanging backdrops
9. Beach Sand and a Fire Pit
Who says you must spend a fortune adding a beautiful seating area to your landscaping? Pouring beach sand on the ground in a circular shape and placing a firepit in the center with some wooden lawn chairs surrounding it is the perfect solution for entertaining evening guests.
Check with city bylaws to ensure a firepit is legal in your area, and get ready to enjoy endless bonfires in your new backyard oasis. Make memories with friends and family around the fire pit, roasting marshmallows, having sing-a-longs, or just chatting with good friends.
10. Add a Fish Pond
A fishpond is a desirable addition to the outdoor aesthetics of a large yard. You can spruce up the area by planting flowers and other plants around it and adding several types of fish, such as trout or goldfish.
Depending on the size of the fishpond, you can also add a dock with two chairs seated on it to gaze at the pond. A fishpond promotes peace and relaxation outdoors and gives your yard a feeling of being in the country or by the beach.
11. Add a Fence or Cedar Hedge
There are plenty of options for adding a fence to your landscaping, such as a wooden fence, a chain-link fence, or a cedar hedge.
Adding a fence to your landscaping adds to the beauty of your yard and offers several benefits to your landscaping, such as the following advantages:
- It provides privacy and shade
- Keeps pets and children in the yard
- Breaks up properties
12. Add Soft Lighting
Soft lighting is the perfect addition to your landscaping. Lights add character to your outdoor spaces and allow you to entertain in the evenings after the sun goes down.
You can use lighting for many purposes around your yard, from lighting up your entrance ways hanging lights around your patio to lighting up your pool area. There are several attractive outdoor lighting choices, such as the following items:
- Solar string lights
- Patio lanterns
- Spotlights and floodlights
- Garden lights
13. Create a Kids Corner
Creating a corner of the yard entirely for the kids is an excellent way to keep them out of the rest of your yard space.
Make the kid’s zone inviting for children with fun things to entertain the kids, such as the following items:
- A swing set
- A trampoline
- A sandbox
- A kiddies pool
When the children are happy in their area of the yard, you can work on landscaping your gardens and seating areas without having to trip over toys along the way.
14. Lay Artificial Grass
Artificial grass is fantastic for landscaping and provides several benefits to your landscaping, such as the following advantages:
- Illuminates the need for cutting and trimming the grass
- Provides a clean area for placing patio furniture
- It is low-maintenance and allows more time for other yard projects
15. Add a Water Fountain
The sound of running water always adds to the peacefulness of any backyard setting. Adding a water fountain to your outdoor oasis is a great way to be close to water without installing more expensive items, such as a swimming pool or a pond.
Several water fountains are on the market, so shop for the best one to suit your home decor.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, there are numerous fun and exciting ways to spruce up your outdoor space with landscaping techniques. Whether you build a relaxing garden path or a vibrant flower bed, a beautifully landscaped outdoor space brings warmth and comfort to any home.
With careful planning and creativity, you can quickly transform your outside area into a stunning paradise for yourself, your family, and your friends.