The front yard is a space connected to your neighbors and is the first impression of your home.
It is used by both cars and people. You don’t spend a long time there, but it gets a lot of use.
So, it should be functional and fit well with the neighborhood. It’s the “face” of your house and gives visitors a bright, welcoming first impression.
The back yard is very private and a space where you spend more time.
You can walk outside, sit, or relax there. Even if you stay inside, your eyes often rest on the back yard.
So, it should be a space you love and need, and a place where you can show your personality freely.
You can have a vegetable garden, a jacuzzi, a small gazebo, a waterfall, or a pond—whatever you like.
It can also be a mini golf area, basketball hoop, or playground. The back yard shows who you are.
Comparing to indoor spaces:
- The front yard is like the entrance and living room.
- The back yard is like your bedroom and workspace.
That’s why most people prefer simple designs in the front yard and creative, personal designs in the back yard.
The back yard is where you can try everything you want.
Sometimes privacy is needed, so you may need to block certain views. How much and where to block is very important.
- You might be okay with neighbors seeing some parts but don’t want direct eye contact. In this case, partial screening is enough. Too much screening can feel closed in.
- How and how much you block depends on the character of the space.
If you live with family, your garden needs may change depending on the members:
- With young children, the garden may be different than with teenagers or no children. Needs change over time.
If you enjoy gardening and hands-on work,
your back yard can be like an adult playground.
- You can make, move, or change whatever you want.
- In this case, you don’t need to worry too much about durability because you can fix or change things yourself.
However, the basic structure—the big, permanent parts—should be made strong and durable.
Within that structure, creating or changing smaller elements is easy.
For many seasons, you may spend more time looking at the garden from inside rather than being outside.
So, it’s important to balance:
- Spaces that are good to use
- Spaces that are good to see
As a landscape designer, designing back yards is more exciting.
I get to think:
- What kind of space does the homeowner need?
- What views will they enjoy?
- What suggestions will make them happiest?
It’s a fun and satisfying challenge.
Written by Andy Lee
Owner of Andy’s Landscape Inc. – Landscape Contractor in Maple Ridge, BC