Backyard Landscaping Secrets: 6 Pro Tips for a Beautiful Outdoor Space

Whether your backyard is a blank slate or filled with furniture, there are likely spots needing a landscaping touch-up. These easy-to-implement secrets boost beauty and usability.

Secret No. 1: Hide Your Problems

Backyards often hide garbage cans, compost piles, hoses, and AC units. Turn these eyesores into assets. "The number one thing: hide your problems," says landscape designer Jon Carloftis. Define problems broadly—privacy issues? Plant beefy evergreens. Garbage cans? Screen with trellis. AC unit? Hide behind a trimmed hedge.

Get ideas for creating privacy in your yard.

Secret No. 2: Create Focal Points

A big blank yard feels overwhelming. Create focal points: plant a showstopper tree at the property's end. A four-season tree (like multistem redbud) gives the eye a destination and makes a small space feel larger. Redbud offers spring flowers, summer heart-shaped leaves, fall color, and winter gray bark structure.

Secret No. 3: Create Outdoor Rooms

Envision rooms: cooking, relaxing, play, retreat. No patio/deck? Start by grouping furniture where you'll use it most—table and chairs near the back door, hammock in a corner. "Start with a little area," Carloftis says. Try arrangements before committing to expensive hardscape.

See a landscape with great garden rooms.

Secret No. 4: Craft Corners

Mark outdoor room corners with plants: a shrub at each patio corner, flowers at a sitting area entrance. Adds definition, color, and can evolve into larger beds and borders.

Secret No. 5: Address the Specifics

Focal points, screening, and outdoor rooms reveal other needs. A deck spot may need sun protection → build an arbor. As kids grow, replace playscape with raised beds. Your backyard is ever-changing—tailor it to your family's evolving needs.

Secret No. 6: Add Vegetables

Carloftis advocates a vegetable garden—even a tiny one—in every backyard. "Everybody needs connection with earth. Growing and eating something is basic, wonderful, fulfilling." Start small: container tomatoes and basil by the kitchen door, or a raised bed kids help plan. "You learn life lessons from growing even one vegetable."

Plan a vegetable garden! Short on space? Grow vegetables in containers.

Easy Ideas for Landscape Design