These 10 Backyard Design Ideas Will Make Your Outdoor Space Feel Bigger, Better, and More Relaxing

In need of an outdoor upgrade? These trending ideas will elevate your space and turn it into an oasis primed for relaxing, entertaining, everyday living—or all of the above.

01 of 10

Add a Dining Room

Credit: COURTESY OF JACOB SNAVELY; DESIGN BY TINA RAMCHANDANI

New York City-based designer Tina Ramchandani (@tinaramchandani) created this gorgeous space, noting a shift toward clients asking for backyard dining areas that feel just as elevated as their interiors. “People want the same level of comfort, beauty, and ease outdoors, which actually makes the whole design feel more holistic.”

To get started on your own, she says to think about anchoring your space. “A dining table is the obvious centerpiece, but what really makes it feel intentional is what surrounds it—lighting, greenery, and a sense of enclosure,” she says. “That could be a pergola, an oversize umbrella, or even strategically placed planters.” She adds that the seating shouldn’t be an afterthought: “If the chairs aren’t comfortable, no one is lingering for dessert, and that’s the whole poin

02 of 10

Bring in all the Pots

Credit: AIMÉE MAZZENGA, DESIGN BY PALOMA CONTRERAS

Container gardens are not new, no. But these days, people are craving a relaxed, European feel in their backyards, says Houston-based designer Paloma Contreras (@palomacontrerasdesign), who designed this space. So instead of bigger set-in-place containers, consider opting for a bunch of individual pots, which can be moved around and used as decor.

“Creating a container garden is now all about layering and balance,” Contreras says. “I start with a mix of heights and textures, something with structure, something softer, and something fuller.” Go with rosemary for that structure, add in some soft herbs like basil and cilantro, then fill it out with a maidenhair fern. Keep the look casual with clay pots or something with a patinaed finish. Then group them on a table as a centerpiece, or line your patio to bring charm and softness to hard surfaces.

03 of 10

Try a Grass Alternative

Credit: COURTESY OF YARDZEN LANDSCAPE DESIGN/JESSICA BYRDSON PHOTOGRAPHY/HOMEOWNER: NICOLE SALCEDA (@EYEFORPRETTY), DANVILLE, CA

“Despite their ubiquity, lawns have drawbacks,” says Kevin Lenhart, design director and landscape architect at Yardzen, a virtual landscape platform responsible for this yard in Danville, California. He explains that homeowners are looking for alternatives, as lawns can be time-consuming, require a lot of water, and often need pesticides and chemical fertilizers. “There are practical benefits to using gravel instead: It’s affordable and great for slowing stormwater, coaxing it into the soil.”

He also notes that, from a stylistic perspective, it can evoke the charm of an English cottage garden. Another option is to add in lots of natural stone pavers, like limestone or travertine, says Ashley Biscan, design and trend expert at retailer Floor & Decor. “They bring a timeless look to your yard that blends into the landscape while still feeling architectural and intentional.”

04 of 10

Extend the Living Room

Credit: DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN FOR RYAN STREET ARCHITECTS

Perhaps the biggest trend out there, an outdoor living room creates more space for conversation and chilling (alfresco FIFA watch party, anyone?). Beyond the obvious cozy seats and spots to set your drinks, Ryan Street (@ryanstreetarchitects), founder of the eponymous architecture firm in Austin, Texas, says there are other factors to consider. “Pay attention to where the wind comes from and where the afternoon sun lands,” he points out. “The most beautiful outdoor room in the world is unusable if you don’t think about comfort first—this does more work than furniture ever will.”

He adds that, ideally, exterior materials should mirror those used inside the home, so the transition between the two is as seamless as possible. In this space, he used reclaimed beams, plaster, and limestone to mirror the home’s interiors, resulting in an area that feels like an effortless extension.

05 of 10

Plant a Wild Hideaway

Credit: RICHARD BLOOM, DESIGN BY COLM JOSEPH GARDENS

This quiet spot, featured in the book Cottagecore: New Countryside Living, is nature’s version of a cozy nook. And we’re seeing the idea sprout up all over. Instead of walls, chairs get tucked in by layers of soft, intentionally overgrown greenery. Even if you don’t have the biggest yard or the greenest thumb, you can cultivate something similar by planting native wildflowers and ornamental grasses in a horseshoe shape.

You’ll end up with a wild, romantic look that also happens to be low-maintenance, promises Colm Joseph, director and principal designer of Colm Joseph Gardens (@colm_joseph) in the U.K. “I often like to set seating spaces within generous planting areas so it wraps around you,” he says. “This one in Suffolk, England, is a great spot to sit with a drink on summer evenings.” For your own space, we’d also like to suggest a cup of coffee in the mornings and a good book in the afternoons.

06 of 10

Install a Serving Station

Credit: COURTESY OF PAUL DYER, DESIGN BY ANYON INTERIOR DESIGN

Entertaining is easy-breezy when you have a covetable pass-through window like this one, designed by Lindsay Anyon Brier, founder of Anyon Interior Design and Anyon Atelier (@anyonatelier) in San Francisco. It extends a kitchen counter into an outdoor bar or snack station, and allows conversation to keep flowing if you need to pop inside to prep food or grab more drinks. Plus, inside, it can increase air circulation, let in lots of natural light, and make your space feel larger.

Just keep in mind that different climates dictate different window requirements, Brier says. “And know that selecting a hardware track that blends with your countertop material is essential!”

07 of 10

Create an Outdoor Spa

Credit: COURTESY OF YARDZEN LANDSCAPE DESIGN/BRANDON CONKLIN PHOTOGRAPHY/HOMEOWNER: BRIAN AND LINDSAY LAFAILLE (@STAYWITHTERRA), JOSHUA TREE, CA

More than ever, people are introducing spaces dedicated to their well-being. And by integrating them into the outdoors, they’re doubling down on health benefits. “Humans evolved in natural landscapes,” says Yardzen’s Lenhart, who designed this shower and bath. “When we come into contact with nature, our bodies lavish us with rewards, like decreased anxiety, faster healing, and increased creativity.”

08 of 10

Set Up an Outdoor Gym

Credit: COURTESY OF MEGHAN BEIERLE-O’BRIEN, DESIGN BY COOPER PACIFIC

Set up an open-air gym like this one designed by Steven Cooper of Cooper Pacific (@cooperpacifickitchens), install a pickleball court, or spring for a cold plunge or a lap pool. The beauty of taking your workout outside? Fresh air and sunshine can make exercise feel a lot more enjoyable.

09 of 10

Add a Sauna

Credit: COURTESY OF VANESSA LENTINE, DESIGN BY BRANDON ARCHITECTS

Or consider a sauna, says Brandon Lindsay of Brandon Architects (@brandonarchitects). Once found mostly at spas and luxury resorts, saunas are making their way into backyards—and for good reason. They instantly make an outdoor space feel more relaxing.

10 of 10

Arrange Seating Into Zones

Credit: STEPHEN KARLISCH, DESIGN BY SARAH STACEY

With at-home entertaining on the rise, carving out space for a crowd can be tricky. This porch, by Texas- and Tennessee-based designer Sarah Stacey (@sarahstaceyinteriordesign), does it seamlessly. Her trick? She committed to one furniture family and color palette, and made a few different zones that still read as one cohesive space.

As you consider a layout, choose larger pieces that mirror each other and make sure each grouping is far enough from the next one so things aren’t cramped. “People should be able to move between areas without feeling like they’re stepping into someone else’s conversation,” Stacey says. Finally, add accessories: “Plants and lighting help define each area, and the iron plant stands act as rugs would inside—they subtly mark the edges.”

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