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Backyard Landscaping Ideas for Any Size

Outdoor living space with gas fire pit, pergola with string lights, and red cushioned chairs. Patio with scenic view.

Are you looking for simple backyard landscaping ideas? Not all landscaping projects need to be extravagant. Sometimes the smallest addition to a yard can make all the difference. No matter the size of your yard, you can benefit from landscaping. In this article, you will learn about backyard landscaping ideas for any size, simple backyard landscaping ideas, how to create a cohesive backyard design, and backyard patio ideas. 

Simple Backyard Landscaping Ideas

Not everyone wants or has room for large landscaping features like gazebos or huge fountains, but everyone can benefit from plants, entertainment areas, and many other simple backyard landscaping ideas. Below are some simple backyard landscaping ideas to consider.

Plants

The simplest way to bring your backyard to life is to add color through the use of plants. Flowers can be planted in gardens, pots, and suspended from posts. Bushes and shrubs can give you privacy in addition to beautiful greenery. Lay grass seed wherever you find dead patches and cut your grass regularly. If you want something more low maintenance, you could consider grass alternatives like moss and clover. 

Gardens

There is more to gardens than vegetables and flowers. Although a vegetable garden or flower garden is a wonderful addition to any yard, they require consistent weeding and care. Mulching the garden can help prevent the growth of weeds, but if you want something truly low-maintenance, a rock garden could be just what you need. 

Rocks will not die if you forget to water them and they are less likely to become overcome with weeds. If you live somewhere where it gets cold, a rock garden will remain the same all year round while a plant garden will only last until the weather turns. You would still need to remove weeds every so often, but if you forget the only risk is temporary aesthetic damage. 

Fire Pits

Firepits are a simple backyard landscaping idea that everyone loves. Fire pits provide a place for entertainment and relaxation. There is nothing better than sitting out by the fire on a cool spring day or chatting around the fire with friends and family at a summer cookout. 

Lighting

If you want to enjoy your yard at night, you need to implement this simple backyard landscaping idea. You need outdoor lighting. Landscape lighting is much more than just making your yard visible at night. Good landscape lighting will highlight the best aspects of your yard while shying away from the aspects that are not as desirable. It creates ambiance so you can better enjoy your home.

Pathways

Connect significant landscaping features with paths. Paths do not need to take a lot of work. They can be as simple as stepping stones or as complicated as a mosaic. You can make paths out of stone, brick wood, and almost anything else you can think of. Consider using leftover materials from previous projects. Maybe you cut down a tree to make room for a seating area. Use the leftover wood to create a path through a garden or from the fire pit to your house. The choices are endless with pathways.

Patios

patios are one of the simple backyard landscaping ideas that, if you have room, you need. They provide an excellent entertainment area. A correctly installed brick patio is not likely to sprout weeds and will last a long time with minimal maintenance. 

Backyard Design

Although there are many simple backyard landscaping ideas, you only have so much space to implement them. If you are working with a small yard, you do not need to resign yourself to a mundane yard. You just need to carefully plan your space before you begin construction. Here are some backyard landscaping ideas for any size yard. 

Decide on Features

Create a list of the backyard features you can’t live without. You can add a few more to this list for now, but be prepared to cut them as you get farther into the backyard design process. 

Create a Rough Sketch

Decide how each area of your yard will function. Designate areas for relaxing, cooking, gardening, and/or anything else your heart desires. Each area needs adequate space to serve its function, but you might want to give special attention to a specific area. This area would become the focal point of your yard. Take some time to create a few rough sketches. They do not need to be good as long as you can understand what you have drawn. 

Layout

As you create the sketch you need to decide how you will layout and connect your areas. Pathways are a great way to connect areas. Popular path layouts are called the hub and the circuit. The hub layout connects out from the focal point of your yard into the other areas while the circuit layout connects all areas around the focal point. 

Measure Your Yard

Now that you have a rough idea of where you want to put features, you are going to need to measure your yard. Though you might think you have enough room from your rough sketch, you can not be sure until you measure your yard. With that information, you can create a more accurate backyard design plan.

Backyard Patio Ideas

A backyard patio is one of the most desired backyard landscaping ideas for any size yard. Patios off homeowner a great place for entertainment as well as a place to add other party-centered features. Below are backyard patio ideas to take your backyard party to the next level.

Seating

The success of a patio depends on how you decorate it. The seating arrangement is what makes a patio functional. A large table surrounded by comfortable chairs is welcoming. It says, “Let’s sit down and have a meal.” A swing bench on the outside edge of the patio could provide some relaxing fun. 

The Grill

Place a grill on your porch. This will allow you to cook and, with the addition of a table and chairs, eat outdoors.

Fire Pit

Put the fire pit on the patio. If you are low on room, you will need to choose between the table and the firepit. Roast hotdogs and make smores while you warm your feet. 

Hire a Landscaper

Although these simple backyard landscaping ideas can get you started on your dream backyard, a professional can make it a reality. The landscapers at Arbeen landscaping can work with you on your backyard landscaping ideas no matter the size of your yard.

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Kavita P.
2 weeks ago
I recently moved into a new home in Plainfield and was looking for a landscaping company that could bring my vision for a new walkway to life. Tyler at Arbeen Landscaping took the time to listen to what I wanted and did an incredible job turning that vision into reality. The finished walkway is beautiful and has made such a noticeable difference to the appearance of my home. Tyler was professional, reliable, and extremely communicative throughout the entire process. He was always on time, responsive, and made sure everything was completed to a high standard. His crew was also very kind, respectful, and professional while working on my property. I’m extremely happy with the finished product and the overall experience. I would highly recommend Arbeen Landscaping to anyone looking for quality work, great communication, and excellent customer service.
Britni M.
2 months ago
I had a great experience working with Arbeen Landscaping. Tyler was very polite and responsive when I reached out. I was able to get my job scheduled very quickly. I'm extremely happy with the unique design and high quality of work. They really took the time to consider my needs and design a space that works for my family. I would use this company again and recommend it to anyone that wants a unique and beautiful outdoor space.
Michelle W.
3 months ago
I don’t normally write reviews, but I felt compelled given how incredible our hardscape looks! Arbeen Landscaping did a wonderful job designing our backyard patio and front retaining wall. From the pillars, to the landscape lighting on our patio, the accents added make our patio look like a resort. Tyler truly transformed our backyard and his workmen truly wanted us to be happy with every detail at every step of the process. We now use our patio all the time for entertaining and have received so many compliments on it. The quality and craftsmanship is superb! After constructing our patio, we just had them back to tear out our old retaining wall in our front yard and install a new one to match the stone from our patio. Within the new wall, he also installed new accent lighting which adds so much to our curb appeal. We could not be happier with the outcome! A great landscaper that takes pride in their work is very hard to find these days. Tyler communicated well with us, was timely, and completed our projects to our full satisfaction. I have had many landscapers in the past 26 years of living in our home and I am very particular individual, however, I have never had a landscaper came close to the quality of work, expertise and attention to detail that Tyler provided. My husband and I are thrilled with his work and will always highly recommend Arbeen Landscaping. Thank you again Tyler!
Jim D.
3 months ago
Complete yard transformation!! We recently moved into a house and the backyard needed major TLC. After having a few companies come out for estimates I was very impressed with Tyler and his company. They provided a competitive quote and was very helpful when it came to the logistics of how to get this done. We decided to have them put seed down instead of sod and it turned out great! The work was done in 2 days and the guys were very professional and respectful. It took roughly 6 weeks for the grass to fully come in and now our yard is wonderful. The kids and dogs love playing out there and we couldn’t be happier. Thank you Arbeen!!
Dan H.
3 months ago
Called for a last minute installation of a Green privacy screen. They came that week and installed in 2 weeks. All pines were at least 6 to 8 feet. Big job done in 2 days. Highly recommend. Update on my review, I called 6 times with my landscaping leaning and turning brown, at first he said I'll be there next week, no call no show, I called again 2 weeks later, again same thing, I called 4 more times now sent to voicemail, still nothing. Disappointed.
Linda S.
4 months ago
Arbeen Landscaping is the Best!!!! Tyler offers a design service so that you can visualize your dream. He’s courteous and listens to what you have to say and offers additional ideas which perhaps you never thought about. He follows up when you call him and is always accommodating. You can’t go wrong with Arbeen Landscaping!
Steve S.
4 months ago
We have been using Arbeen Services for a number of years now after trying several different landscaping companies before them. This is the first time we’ve had a maintenance team that gives us a true sense of reliability and confidence. They have handled landscaping projects, hardscape construction, maintenance, tree planting, and landscape design for us, and we have been impressed with everything they’ve done. Tyler is attentive, honest, and reasonable, and it’s clear that he truly cares about the quality of the work and customer satisfaction. We are very happy that we found Arbeen Landscaping, and would highly recommend them.
kristine H.
4 months ago
We have been using Arbeen for 7 years and we have never been disappointed! They come on time clean up after they are done and all the guys are so kind!
Evelyn P.
7 months ago
The company has amazing service well recommended
Michelle P.
1 year ago
Mike Myszkowski at Arbeen is wonderful to work with to design your new landscaping or freshen up your existing landscaping. We have worked with him multiple times over the years and he delivers great customer service and we trust him with our design work!

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