In the landscape design world, there is so much emphasis on upgrading your backyard and your front yard. After all, these spaces provided several benefits like curb appeal and entertaining space. However, you may be overlooking a hidden gem. Believe it or not, the side of your hour house can serve more purposes than housing your garbage bins. In fact, with a little bit of creativity, you can transform the side of your home into a useful and inviting space. The possibilities are endless but we’ve compiled some of our favorite ideas, ranging from DIYs you can do in an afternoon, to more intensive projects that can be taken care of by the professionals. Ready to be inspired? Keep reading to get some ideas for the side of your house!
6 Side Of House Creative Ideas to Expand Your Side Yard
Create a New Entrance
One of the most common side yard upgrades is to create another entrance into your outdoor space. It seems like such a basic improvement but, by utilizing the wasted space alongside your home, it actually provides a variety of benefits that can be overlooked. If you like to entertain, this upgrade should be at the top of your list. By having a side entrance, you create a much more efficient experience for any guests that you have over. Gone are the days where your friends have to awkwardly walk through your home to get outside. Building out a side entrance streamlines that whole process so you can worry less about guests getting lost inside your home and more about spending time with them.
If you’re not big on entertaining, creating a new entrance should still be a top priority. Installing a gate for your yard creates an element of privacy and security. Not only will this give you peace of mind in the interim but this also has the potential to pay off in the future. Security features are often one of the most important factors that home buyers consider when purchasing a home. Investing in the installation of a secure entrance can amount to a higher bottom line when it becomes time to sell.
Maximize Your Garden Area
Calling all the green thumbs, this one’s for you! We encourage you to view your side yard as an extension of your backyard. After all, depending on the size of your property, there is quite a lot of valuable space that could be utilized in a better way. One of our favorite features to install alongside a home is an expanded garden. This is the perfect solution if you love to garden but don’t have much room in your backyard. By capitalizing on the space along the side of your home, you don’t have limit yourself and your passion for gardening.
If you’re feeling extra creative, you could even consider installing a vertical garden. A variety of foods like lettuce, radishes, and chives will grow perfectly fine in a vertical garden. The only limitation with this upgrade is that you should be cognizant of how much light each plant requires. Other than that, the possibilities are really up to you to decide.
Take Up Composting
If you’re open to begin composting but don’t haven’t wanted the eyesore of a compost bin, now you don’t have an excuse! Believe it or not, it’s easier than you think to get started. In fact, you could build DIY a compost bin in about an hour. All you need is a container with removable lid and some organic matter like fruit peels, yard clippings, and fallen leaves. Throw it all in the bin, making sure there is a good mix of contents. After that, introduce some moisture into the container (a spray bottle with water will work just fine), replace the lid, and let it be. Nature will take care of the rest, as your compost bin stays out of sight out of mind. The best part: you’ll be doing your part to help the environment by reducing waste. For more specifics make sure to check out the EPA guide on composting.
Embrace Alfresco
Upgrading side yard doesn’t have to serve exclusively practical purposes. Believe it or not, the side of your home can be completely transformed into a cozy getaway that personalized for you. Whether you want a quiet area to enjoy your morning coffee in or you’re looking to build an intimate alfresco dining area, you are in charge of how you want your private escape to look. There are so many possibilities when it comes to designing this space. Renovating your side yard can be as simple as a weekend, DIY project or a more intensive construction project. If you’re pressed for time or money, we suggest installing some outdoor string lights, a bistro table set, or an outdoor recliner. For more permanent and drastic upgrades, like fire pits, creating a patio, or installing architectural elements, your best approach is to utilize a landscape design company. (Psst! If you’re ready to go all out, we’d be happy to help!)
Space to Play
As you redesign your side yard, consider converting it into a play area for your children. Your kids will be thrilled that they have their own secret hideaway and you’ll feel at ease knowing that they are playing in a secure area. Bonus points because any mess will stay out of sight and your backyard will stay looking pristine. The options are endless: you could build a playhouse, a sand pit, a splash zone, or all of the above! It’s really up to what you and your kids can dream up. The best part about designating this area for playtime is that it will encourage your children to embrace their creativity and get outdoors more often. We promise, your kids will thank you!
Wash the Day Off
As much as we love the great outdoors, we don’t want to spread it all throughout our homes. The space along the side of your house could be utilized as a clearing area to wash away any dirt or mud that could be tracked into your home. This upgrade isn’t just for the kids or for the dog. Rather, you’ll find that it’s a practical feature for anyone that visits your home. Trust us, once you install an outdoor sink and hose off area, you won’t be able to remember life without it. At the end of the day, we’d prefer to keep the outdoors, outdoors.
We hope these ideas have opened your eyes to the way you can transform the unused space alongside the side of your home. With a creative mindset, your side yard is a blank canvas, ready to be designed. If this article has left you dreaming about what to create next, we can help you! Just drop us a line and we’ll help make your vision a reality.