Planning a landscape design for the courtyard of a private house (photo examples)
Don't trust smart people who believe that beauty and practicality are two different things. If you spend enough time designing the landscape of a private home, you can achieve an excellent result while taking into account the wishes of the entire family.
First, make a list of these same wishes, this is the first stage of work. You will have to interview all household members, fill out the fields for your pets and jot down items that you would like to please your guests with. Only at first glance it seems that it is impossible to satisfy all these requests. If your area around the house occupies at least 6-8 acres, believe me, everything will work out.
Before you pick up a pencil, study ready-made landscape design projects. On the Internet it is not difficult to find not only photos of beautiful estates, but also numerous videos from professional companies involved in the design of local areas.
Advice! Planning the territory near your home and arranging it with your own hands is an excellent occasion to communicate closer with your family. Make it a shared endeavor and you'll enjoy the process immensely.
Working together with children will bring you a lot of joy
What else is important for drawing up a plan for a summer cottage:
- Features of the landscape. If it is complex, you should not waste time and money on leveling slopes and filling lowlands. Use these highlights to play up their attractive sides. But remember: the slopes must be reliably strengthened, and the lowlands must be equipped with a drainage system so that water does not stagnate in them.
- Architecture of the main buildings. The design of the garden plot should match the style of the house. Otherwise, you will get dissonance that will ruin the whole experience.
- Climate. Do not try to plant palm trees near your house in the Arctic. Use plants that will thrive in your weather conditions. A beautiful garden is a big part of landscaping work. Stunted, suffering exotic plants will not be pleasing to the eye.
Do not strive for global investments in the landscape. The simplest ideas are sometimes the best solution for a small yard. The exception is, of course, areas with castles. Here, whatever one may say, if you are the owner of such a treasure, you will have to keep the mark, no matter how much it costs.
And one more piece of advice: before planning flower beds and gazebos, mark out the locations of communications on your project. This is an important point because all these networks periodically require maintenance and repair. You won't be happy with the idea of dismantling the gazebo to clean the drainage well. Think about such situations in advance.
So, what should be noted on the site plan:
- location of buildings;
- placement of the reservoir;
- paths and platforms;
- flower beds and slides;
- space for setting up a garden;
- external and internal fences;
- location of lanterns and other lighting;
- places for garden sculptures and other decorative elements.
Here are some example projects:
Arrangement of the site: advice from a stylist
Landscape design is a creative business. There are many original stylistic solutions that will completely transform the ordinary courtyard area of a country house.
To begin with, all styles can be divided into two conditional directions:
- eco-direction, preserving the naturalness of the natural landscape or creating the most plausible version of the natural order of things;
- emphasized cultivation of the local area using clear forms and carefully selected elements.
Choose the direction you like best and take action. Here is a far from complete list of possible landscape styles in the layout of a yard with their characteristic features:
| Style and photo | Requirements | Character traits |
| Min area – 12 acres Plants: boxwood, elderberry, thuja, jasmine Flowers – tulips, daffodils, roses, crocuses Garden furniture: wood | This image belongs to the eco-trend and involves the preservation of natural naturalness in the landscape. Strict forms and clear lines are not applicable here. All design should blend organically with nature. For landscape style, a well-thought-out landscaping plan is important. Flowers are planted not in flower beds, but in open areas-clearings. Primroses and summer plants are placed in groups. Blooming compositions are framed by a neat lawn. If space allows, a pond with water lilies and lilies is arranged. Such design of the area near the house will require constant care. |
| Min area – 15 acres Plants: thuja, lilac, wild grapes Flowers – roses, begonias, salvias Garden furniture: wrought iron | Lovers of strict orderliness will really like this plan for landscaping the territory. It involves the use of strict symmetrical forms. All trees and bushes must be trimmed. The flower beds near the house are like soldiers on parade, smooth and perfectly decorated. Gazebos and other light buildings in the garden are made in a classic style, preferably using columns in the design. All paths and flower beds are decorated with natural stone. Flowers in flower beds must match the style: no daisies. Decorative vases and statues, fountains are used in the design of the garden. |
| Min area – 20 acres Plants: wild grapes, thuja, hedge plants Flowers – heather, other wildflowers Garden furniture: natural stone and wood | This style is for lovers of open space and spaciousness. The yard design should include hedges, natural Moorish lawn and heather. Naturally shaped bodies of water are welcome. The main thing is maximum openness and preservation of the natural forms of the landscape. |
| Min area – 9 acres Plants: fruit trees, shrubs, lilac Flowers – medicinal herbs, marigolds, nasturtiums Garden furniture: rough-hewn wood | The simple and relaxed style of a country house and yard is one of the most popular among owners of country estates. There are no need for strict rules here. The only requirement is as many naturally bright colors and natural materials as possible. A plot of land in the village can be safely planted with cherries, apple trees and plums. Flowering medicinal herbs that do not require special care are planted in the original garden beds. Wicker fences, decorative carts and wells, and animal figurines are welcome. |
| Min area – 20 acres Plants: hedge bushes, lawn grass Flowers – not welcome Garden furniture: metal products | In this layout option, landscaping is not the most important thing. More attention is paid to compositions that combine paths, platforms and plants. It is characterized by the presence of rounded lines and decorative decorations that repeat this shape. When deciding how to plan your yard in this style, “dance” away from the house. All paths must go to him. |
| Min area – 8 acres Plants: maple, wild grapes, cherry Flowers – peonies, cereals, irises Garden furniture: bamboo products | This philosophical style predisposes to solitude and peace. The main elements are stones of different shapes and colors. There must be harmony in all compositions. To decorate the yard, a bamboo fence, stone lanterns, screens and natural driftwood of bizarre shapes are installed. In this style, there must certainly be water in any form, be it a pond or a stream. |
| Min area – 3 acres Plants: conifers, willow, birch, lawn grass Flowers – not welcome Garden furniture: stone and wood | This design is characterized by a minimal amount of detail. Everything must be subject to strict symmetry. All elements must match the material and color of the private home. Mirrors, spherical shapes and plastic products are used for decoration. |
| Min area – 4 acres Plants: conifers, cypresses, willows, boxwood, lawn grass Flowers – not welcome Garden furniture: metal | An ideal option for those who do not often find time for gardening. Polycarbonate, metal and plastic are used in garden decoration. To create color compositions, colored gravel or tinted wood chips are used. Plants are placed in modern flowerpots. All bushes and trees are given a strict geometric shape. Particular attention is paid to lighting. Solar-powered LED structures can be used. Abstract objects are used for decoration. |
| Min area – 6 acres Plants: conifers and citrus fruits, thuja, palm trees Flowers – any Garden furniture: rattan | Creating a Mediterranean resort on a plot of land in a village is not an easy task. Subtropical plants can be planted in pots and brought into the home greenhouse in cold weather. This design looks attractive in areas with natural unevenness. Bright colors, sea pebbles, and antique serving items are used for decoration. To maintain a marine theme, you will definitely need a body of water. |
| Min area – 8 acres Plants: fruit trees, ornamental shrubs Flowers – any Garden furniture: vine, tree | The romantic sophistication of Provence enchants at first sight. Slight carelessness in the design of gazebos and flower beds, the use of antiques in combination with bright flower beds and cozy textiles in the recreation area - all this is beyond competition. Paths and areas should be paved with natural stone. Handmade crafts are used to decorate the garden. |
This is not a complete list of possible styles and trends. Choose what you like best. The easiest way is if the local area is located in the forest - leave everything as it is and enjoy the natural beauty of nature.
Lighting system: how to transform the area in front of the house
A properly and carefully selected, pre-designed and implemented lighting system plays a special role in arranging a yard; it helps transform the yard in the evening.
In addition to poles with lanterns, illumination of flower beds and garden paths, lamps charged from sunlight, strip lights for trees and shrubs, and other modern devices suitable for the street and when arranging the backyard are used.
Fences and sidewalk paths in the courtyard of a private house (photo examples)
In the design of a yard, paths, platforms and fences are of great importance. Using simple techniques, you can turn them into real masterpieces, which in themselves will become an adornment of the landscape.
Here are some paving ideas:
- The combination of stone and grass is a common technique. Using this combination, you can make patterns of any shape on the paths.
Such paths need to be looked after, the grass must be trimmed from time to time and weeds must be removed.
- Gravel paths. If you place stone tiles and add regular or colored gravel between them, you will get an original paving design for your yard.
This option is not for those who like to run barefoot.
- Pebble paths. If you don't know what to use to line your garden paths, think about pebbles. This is an affordable natural material. If there is a river near your site, don’t worry about choosing pebbles of different colors and sizes.
By experimenting with the patterns and colors of stones and paving stones, you can create with your own hands a real work of art that will last for decades
- Mosaic paths. How to pave the yard if you don’t have natural stone at hand? Use whatever you have on hand! Colored glass from bottles, remains of tiles, pieces of facing bricks.
Such bright paths will not cost much, but, as they say, they will look their best!
- Paths from saw cuts. And one more idea on how to cover the yard: use wood patches. It is better if it is hard wood: oak, acacia, beech. It is not necessary that the cuts be the same. Their diameter can be different, it’s even more interesting. In order for such paths to last longer, the wooden fragments should be treated with drying oil or other protective compound, and a drainage cushion of sand should be placed under the path.
Such paving stones in the courtyard of a private house will look natural and original
- Paving material. Tiles are the simplest solution to the problem. If you choose bright fragments, use the original design of the paths, you can also achieve an excellent result with ordinary paving stones.
Photo of paving slabs on paths:
Using different colors of paving stones you can create unique patterns
The covering for the yard near the house can be made from the same materials as the paths. Together, all this will look stylish and organic.
Related article:
Paving slabs in the courtyard of a private house. Varieties of tiles, photos with examples and step-by-step instructions for laying them yourself, tips and recommendations from experts - read in this review.
Fencing is also an important part of landscape design. A gray slate fence can ruin the entire impression of your efforts, so pay due attention to the design of the fence of a private house. Photo examples of original solutions:
Wood is the most common material for making a covered fence in a private home.
Such a fence can be painted in bright colors or preserve the structure of the wood, emphasizing it with varnish or stain. If the house is wooden, then the fence around the house should be wooden. If small fences are used for zoning in the design of the yard, they can also be made of wood.
You can use branches rather than a board for a low fence
Corrugated sheet is an easy-to-work and durable material. A fence made from it can also be decorated so that it is not a boring, monotonous canvas. Natural stone and forged elements are used for decoration.
A lace ornament made of metal will attract attention and turn an ordinary fence into a unique product.
Brick fences can also be decorated with natural stone and forging, and combined with wood.
It looks good to use decorative bricks in fences. With it you can create real mosaic patterns
Related article:
Fences and enclosures for the home. Photo ideas and original solutions, expert advice that you will find in this material will help you make the right choice.
Green hedges are one of the most successful options for a country estate. They are pleasing to the eye and at the same time reliably hide your local area from strangers. A regular mesh is used as a support. Climbing perennials, such as virgin grapes or lemongrass, are planted for hedges.
You can also plant flowering vines, then they will delight you with abundant flowering all season long.
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Fast growing climbing plants for the fence. These plants will not only give the fence an attractive appearance, but also perfectly hide the yard from prying eyes. Want to know which plants are best for beautiful borders? Read our review!
Landscaping and landscaping: basic principles
Landscaping a site requires compliance with certain rules. You cannot plant trees and flowers near the house at random. This will not only spoil the appearance of the garden, but will give the yard a chaotic and unkempt appearance. Ill-considered planting can adversely affect the development of plants. Some will overlap others, preventing them from fully developing, blooming and bearing fruit.
Landscape design is subject to certain laws. This is not a standard rule, of course; in each case, many variables should be taken into account: the illumination of the site, the climate, the direction of the winds, the specifics of the soil. It is necessary to select plants that will grow well in such conditions.
Landscaping can be vertical or horizontal. Before carrying out planting activities, you should draw up a detailed plan, taking into account how trees and shrubs will grow in the future.
Making a plan with your own hands is not difficult - study the characteristics of the plants that you plan to plant and mark the planting locations on the project. Sketch with a dotted line what size the bushes and trees will be in adulthood. Distribute horizontal landscaping objects over the area - flower beds, lawns, rose gardens. They should not fall into the shade of trees. Vertical gardening can be used for gazebos, fences, arches, and walls of houses.
Advice! The gallery of arches entwined with flowering vines looks luxurious. This type of vertical gardening is suitable for almost any area.
Gallery of arches
In addition to planting plants directly in the ground, you can use pots and hanging flowerpots. This option is especially suitable if you are going to place exotic guests in the local area: palm trees or olive trees.
If you don’t know how to landscape a small area, use vertical flower beds. You can place almost any flowers in them
Hanging containers with herbs look good on fences and walls of a private house
Photo examples of different methods of landscaping a site:
Original flower beds in the courtyard of a private house (photo examples)
Designing a flower bed is a fun task for flower lovers. A composition created with your own hands will become the calling card of the home owners. Flower beds can have a variety of shapes. When deciding how to arrange a flowerbed, it is absolutely not necessary to limit yourself to strict geometric shapes. It is better if the plantings have smooth, rounded lines, so they will naturally fit into the landscape.
Advice! Wide flower beds are inconvenient to care for; do not strive for such a shape unless absolutely necessary.
When planning a flower garden, take into account the relief features of the site. Please note that not all plants thrive in damp lowlands. It may be better to install an alpine slide in such a place.
The place directly in front of the house is the most advantageous for planting flowers. They will be in sight all the time
Another good place is at the entrance to the site
Beautiful flowering plants should certainly be located in the recreation area
Advice! Flower beds look very good in combination with a lawn. The contrast of bright inflorescences and lush greenery pleases the eye. This option is well suited for a yard in a private house if it occupies at least 6 acres.
When the location for the flower garden has been determined and outlined on the main plan, it is time to decide what to plant. In order for the flowerbed to please you for a long time, from early spring to late autumn, you will have to work hard. Plants should be planted according to the seasons. Study which flowers begin to bud at what time. In early spring - tulips and crocuses, in early summer - asters, begonias and marigolds, closer to autumn - dahlias and chrysanthemums. Don’t forget about perennials, they are unpretentious and, under favorable conditions, will also bloom all summer.
Advice! When planting flowers in a flowerbed, do not leave too much free space. It will quickly be filled with weeds.
When planting plants for landscaping, consider their size. The tallest ones should be placed in the background. For a colorful flower bed, it is important to combine colors correctly, avoiding variegated disorder. The brightest elements are usually placed in the center, and a neutral background is placed at the edges.
Photo examples of how to beautifully plant flowers in the yard:
Related article:
Do-it-yourself flower beds and flower beds from scrap materials , photos of which are in this article, are a great opportunity to show ingenuity and creative ingenuity.
Beautiful gardens and courtyards: photo examples of garden furniture design
When landscaping your garden, don’t forget that everything should be harmonious. Garden houses, gazebos, and flower beds in the garden of a private house should be combined in the ornaments and design of the path. Photographic examples of such compositions include original furniture for the yard and garden.
Furniture can be made with your own hands. For work, use industrial wood or improvised material. The main thing is that the product is comfortable and fits well into the overall landscape.
Advice! It is better not to use coniferous wood for garden furniture; it will stain clothes.
In garden design for private homes, logs and tree cuts are often used. Real craftsmen create compositions without the use of nails and screws
A simple option for a private yard and garden - hemp furniture
Mediterranean style garden design involves the use of rattan furniture
Beautiful private gardens in the Provence style cannot do without wicker furniture. This cozy rocking chair will appeal to everyone in the household.
Forged furniture will also fit perfectly into the landscape of the site. To make it comfortable to sit on, use soft pillows and rugs
In many photos of a private garden you will see a swing. They can be so beautiful and comfortable that they will appeal not only to children, but also to the older generation
If the task is how to arrange the territory without extra costs, use available materials. To make furniture, you can use pallets, car tires and cable reels. Photo samples of such products:
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In our review we will find out how to construct a garden bench with a backrest with your own hands . Drawings and detailed photos will allow you to make the best design.
Simple and cascading fountains: transforming the yard
When decorating a yard with your own hands, complex and simple structures are used for arrangement; budget structures include simple fountains, and for an accent design, you can build cascading fountains surrounded by seating areas.
Landscape compositions with fountains and constantly moving water are used in different directions of modern style of courtyard arrangement; it is very important to choose practical materials for their manufacture.
Outbuildings in a private house: photos and recommendations
A suburban area is not only a garden. To have a pleasant time at the dacha, you need different buildings in the yard. Sheds in the yard, gazebos, small ponds made with your own hands - all this should be an organic part of the landscape. The house and yard with outbuildings should look like one whole.
How to build a yard so that there is enough space for a recreation area, parking and a pond? Let's look at the features of different yard structures.
Photos of the best gazebos in the courtyard of a private house
In a private house it is not difficult to build a gazebo with your own hands. The main thing is that the architecture of this light building is combined with the architecture of the main building. The choice of site style should also be supported in the gazebo. For country style, it is logical to choose rough wood and natural finishing materials. High-tech involves the use of modern building materials, glass and metal. The Mediterranean style suggests the use of a lightweight structure with climbing plants.
Design of a private house courtyard with a gazebo in a Mediterranean style
Gazebo in Russian style
Japanese style gazebo
High-tech style gazebo
Gazebo in Provence style
Some tips for placing a gazebo:
- if the site has complex terrain with changes in height, install the gazebo on a hill: this solution will provide a good overview;
- if there is a pond on the site, the canopy is installed no closer than three meters from the water. This will protect the structure from the adverse effects of high humidity;
- paths and paths leading to the gazebo should be provided with high-quality lighting. Using solar-powered flashlights or motion sensors is a good idea.
If you don’t know how to arrange a gazebo inside, think about what purposes to use it for. If this is a place to relax on hot days, light sofas will be required. For friendly and family feasts, you need to install a table under a canopy and, possibly, a grill or barbecue.
If the gazebo is needed extremely rarely, you may limit yourself to a collapsible structure. The price of such products is low, the canopy is easy to disassemble, and when assembled it takes up minimal space
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You can make elegant gazebos from a variety of materials: simple and beautiful . The photos that you will find in this review demonstrate the best ideas and design solutions.
The first impression is very important: the gate to the courtyard of a private house
A gate or gate should not look huge. Their size should be selected in proportion to the main fence. There must be a small platform in front of the gate, from which the path leads directly to the house. The minimum door width is 70 centimeters. It’s not worth doing anymore; it will be difficult to squeeze through such doors with shopping bags.
If the gate is installed on an internal fence, it can be very small, even symbolic
What materials are used for beautiful gates and gates? Wood is one of the most common materials. If you use carvings in the design, you can get a very attractive design.
If you don’t have carving skills, use ready-made overlays that can be found on sale
Forged gates and gates look very attractive. Metal lace looks expensive and sophisticated.
The cost of such a product is quite high, but the period of use is practically unlimited.
Gates made of plastic are very light. Usually this material is fixed on a metal frame and decorated with applied forged decorations.
Photo of the original gate:
Pond and pool in the courtyard of a private house
Even a small area will be completely transformed if you place a pond on it. A neat pond with a fountain and goldfish will not only please the eye, but will also change the microclimate in the garden for the better. Plants that need frequent watering will thrive around it.
You can plant water lilies or water hyacinths and lilies in a pond
Making a pond with your own hands is not difficult; you can even do without major concrete work. For a small pool, it is enough to dig a hole of the desired shape and size and lay a waterproofing membrane on its bottom. To prevent the pond from turning into a foul-smelling green puddle, you will need to install special pumps with filters.
Pond illumination is an important element of landscape design. Flashlights reflected in the water or an LED strip laid on the bottom - any option will look chic at night
Fountains of various shapes will also decorate the site. Modern manufacturers offer illuminated fountains that light up in the evening and are powered by a solar battery.
Related article:
How to make a pond at your dacha with your own hands step by step: photos and decoration features, as well as useful tips and recommendations from experts - you will find in this material.
Artificial ponds and reservoirs, water on the site
Having a fairly spacious yard at your disposal, you want to decorate it with exclusive designs; these can be reservoirs of various shapes and configurations with pumps for recirculation and water purification or filled manually.
Thanks to ponds, you can create a real piece of paradise in your yard, grow various types of ornamental fish, aquatic plants and flowers, especially while maintaining a certain design concept.
Decorating the yard of a private house with your own hands: photo gallery
So, the design of the courtyard of a private house involves a competent combination of gazebos and canopies in the courtyard with landscaping and decorative elements. Landscaping is a fun activity. You can bring to life the most daring ideas and projects, show your imagination. Even in the smallest area of a village yard, bold plans can be realized. See how to improve the area near the house using the example of photos from our users:
A vegetable garden in a village is not just garden beds. Thoughtful shape and planting will turn it into a country decoration
We decorate the yard with lamps and lanterns. In the evening, your guests will be amazed by the amazing landscape
The interior of the gazebo is an important part of the design of the local area
A neat lawn in front of the house is a characteristic detail of modern yards
A beautiful and cozy courtyard with a patio is a place for relaxation
Decoration of the local area of a private house in Russian style
An example of how to decorate a plot near a house in a country style
A beautiful idea for decorating a gazebo with natural wood
How to landscape an area using paving slabs: paving stone patterns
Yard Decor: How to Decorate It with Garden Sculpture
Simple and beautiful: natural landscape on the site of a country house
Low fences around the patio are easy to make with your own hands
Planning: DIY private yard beauty
Without careful planning, it is impossible to create a beautiful design that additionally performs a practical function; a private courtyard, thanks to its stylish and impressive arrangement, expresses the taste and individual preferences of the homeowners.
If a family that owns a plot with a house located on it has children, then in the yard there is a children's playground with a swing or a playhouse for children of different ages; owners leading an active lifestyle cannot do without a playground.
Warm and hospitable owners who often meet with guests, friends or relatives definitely need to equip a relaxation area with a barbecue or grill, an open fireplace and a set of dining furniture.
Any recreation area should be harmoniously combined with decorative decorations of the yard, such as flower beds, a garden or even a small vegetable garden; the yard must be equipped with comfortable paths and seating areas, interspersed with green spaces.
