Don't Sideline Your Side Yard

Turning a Forgotten Space into a Garden Moment

Every home has them…the skinny strips of land that connect front and back. We give our attention to the front yard’s curb appeal and the backyard’s livable space, but the side yard? That’s often where the garbage bins live, weeds grow unchallenged, and lawn tools go to hide.

And yet…these narrow corridors have so much potential. Think of them as the outdoor version of a hallway in your home: a passage that can be purely utilitarian, or one that can surprise and delight.

Side yards come in all shapes and sizes (especially on corner lots), but here we’re talking about the tight, often shady spaces where houses sit close together. They usually serve as circulation routes between the front and back, sometimes doubling as storage or service areas. But with a little care, they can shift from forgettable to unforgettable.

Photo above: A tropical side yard by Ellen Lathi in Boston, Massachusetts.

Photo: A lush side yard in Seattle, Washington (To my Seattle friends...if you know the designer...please let me know!)

Function Comes First

Before diving into design details, decide what you want your side yard to do for you.

Is it strictly a pass-through — the quickest route from front to back?
A service zone for bins, compost, or storage?
A working area for potting plants or growing edibles?
Or could it be a destination — a quiet nook, a garden walk, or even an art-filled outdoor gallery?

Function will guide every design choice that follows. A side yard that needs to accommodate trash bins and wheelbarrows will have very different needs from one designed for morning coffee or evening strolls.

Once you’ve defined its role, you can bring it to life by thinking of it as an outdoor room — complete with a floor, walls, and a ceiling.

Photo: A tight and tidy side yard in Seattle, Washington. Designed by Lisa Bauer.

Floors

Because side yards are often passageways, the surface underfoot is key.

For heavy use — wheelbarrows, mowers, or carts — choose a smooth, continuous material like pavers or poured concrete.
For lighter foot traffic, stepping stones, gravel, or permeable pavers can add charm while improving drainage.
Think about texture and sound: the crunch of gravel, the softness of moss between stones, or the solid feel of brick underfoot.

Photo: Window wells with a sense of humor in Seattle, Washington. Designed by Lisa Bauer.

Walls

Fences, siding, or hedges define the vertical edges of your space — and they’re an opportunity.

Add privacy with decorative panels or slatted fencing.
Soften hard surfaces with trellises, climbing plants, or espaliered fruit trees.
Brighten shady spaces by painting walls a light color or using mirrors to bounce light.
Turn a plain wall into a gallery with outdoor art, lanterns, or hanging planters.
If storage is a priority, integrate hooks, shelves, or slim cabinets that blend with the design.

Above photo: This Seattle garden tucked in some architectural artifacts to add charm to this narrow space.

Above photo: A funky, functional side yard by Jimmy McCown and Connie Arduini in Memphis, Tennessee.

Photo: Such a great use of wall space in this contemporary Seattle garden. Design by Gillian Matthews and Richard Hartlage.

Ceiling

You may not want to cover the entire side yard, but a “ceiling” element can make it feel more intentional. Even a partial ceiling can turn a simple path into a memorable garden moment.

Install an arbor, pergola, or archway to create a sense of arrival.
String lights overhead for evening glow.
Hang baskets or grow vines above to add softness and intimacy.

Photo: A lovely pergola and tropical plant containers add spark to this side yard by Ellen Lathi in Boston, Massachusetts.

A sweet arbor welcomes visitors into this Boston side yard.

A Final Thought

The next time you pass through your side yard, pause and see it not just as a shortcut, but as an opportunity. With a few small, intentional changes, you can transform it into a space that makes the journey from front to back as lovely as the destination.

For additional examples please visit my Side Yard Pinterest Board.