A common request from clients is to make their side yard more appealing. A side yard is a wonderful place to get creative and add usable space to your outdoor living area.

Here are our three favorite ways to take blah to beautiful.

A Raised Bed Garden Sanctuary

If a side yard gets ample sun, turn it into a garden room with raised beds. One of our favorite gardens is in River Oaks, where a dull gravel side yard was transformed into a garden sanctuary. The side yard has two steel beds, an arch trellis, and a steppingstone pathway. The addition of a bistro table next to the gardens provides a great place for morning coffee or an afternoon refreshment.

Fun for The Whole Family Bocce Ball Court

We recently had the challenge of transforming a client’s shady side yard in the Braeswood area.

The client is an active young family and requested more than landscaping. The long space was perfect for a bocce ball court. We added shade-tolerant landscaping, liriope, and full-to-ground hollies to create visual interest. So, our bocce ball players could have spectators, we carved out an area for seating next to the bocce ball court.

Incorporate a Statement Piece

A budget friendly option for beautifying your side yard is to add a statement piece. A simple arch or trellis for growing vines can add visual interest and texture to a small area. A few of our favorite vining plants to grow on arbors and panel trellises in Houston are the Peggy Martin Rose, Carolina Jessamine, Passion Vine (only host plant for gulf fritillaries butterfly), Crossvine, and Boston Ivy.

Garden Girls are passionate about fostering connections to outdoor spaces so they are as usable as our indoor spaces. Our yards should be a place to relax, be active, discover, learn, meditate, nourish, and connect with others.