12 Creative Ways to Use Yard Corners

We've been making corners work hard inside the house; it's time to maximize yard corners. Whether you have acres or a postage-stamp yard, deck, or small balcony, you'll find ideas to swipe for spring plans.

1. Tuck In an Outbuilding

This serene pavilion is well-sited in an Asian-inspired garden.

2. Create a Composition with a Sculpture

Draw the eye to the corner with a sculptural focal point surrounded by a border garden. A tree with sculptural form also serves as a corner focal point.

3. Add an Inviting Seating Area

An outdoor sectional sofa or corner bench marks the edge of an intimate outdoor living room. A fire pit adds chilly-evening bonus. This example adds a third side to seating. Emphasize with a pergola; lanterns or white lights cozy up the space at night.

4. Place an Ornamental Tree

A tree softens where two hard lines meet.

See 5 well-behaved patio trees

5. Light Up Said Tree at Night

Lighting the tree's sculptural form creates nighttime drama.

6. Install an Outdoor Fireplace

The corner provides an intimate space—more closed in and cozy than a fire pit in the middle of the yard.

7. Build a Small Pond

In a small yard, a pond in the back corner beckons visitors to outer edges.

8. Mix Materials

A wooden bench and concrete retaining wall's meeting spot emphasizes the corner in this geometric garden.

9. Wrap a Climbing Wall

Safety first: a local climbing gym composed this wall's setup, height limited potential falls, surface underneath is rubber.

Learn more about home climbing walls

10. Cut Into a Deck's Corner

Clever moves at the deck's end create more interesting sight lines and closer connection between built work and surrounding landscape.

11. Wrap a Deck Corner with Planters

Box planters add architecture and foliage to a deck. Placed right, they provide extra privacy and shade. Depending on plants, they add colorful flowers and fragrance.

12. Go Vertical with a Trellis

A vertical garden structure gives an entire corner privacy from neighbors. Extend plant life up the trellis with climbing vines like wisteria, ornamental sweet potato vines, and Chilean jasmine.

More ways with corners: Check out corners in the kitchen, home office, entryway, bedroom, and living room.