14 Ideas for Urban Front and Back Yards
What they lack in size, they make up for in creativity – be inspired by 14 cleverly designed urban front and back yards
Georgia Madden
3 October 2020
When you live in a built-up or urban area, having your own little patch of green is priceless. But knowing exactly what to do with a sliver of back or front yard is no mean feat. If you’re looking for ideas on how to maximise the area, read on – here are 14 sensational spaces from urban homes in Australia and beyond.
1. A place for everything
Sometimes you need more than just green space in your urban backyard. Here, the architects have included a bank of cupboards that runs the full length of the yard – slender enough that they don’t encroach on the ground space, generous enough to store all manner of necessities.
Sometimes you need more than just green space in your urban backyard. Here, the architects have included a bank of cupboards that runs the full length of the yard – slender enough that they don’t encroach on the ground space, generous enough to store all manner of necessities.
2. A grand entrance
Shade from a towering tree, an angled garden bed and pavers leading to the front door – proof that you don’t need a lot of green space to make an impact.
Looking to redo your outdoor space? Find a local garden specialist near you on Houzz
Shade from a towering tree, an angled garden bed and pavers leading to the front door – proof that you don’t need a lot of green space to make an impact.
Looking to redo your outdoor space? Find a local garden specialist near you on Houzz
3. Tiered and terrific
When horizontal space is in short supply, think vertically. Here, the designers have maximised greenery in this compact backyard by including four level changes – one of which acts as seating. Cladding the retaining walls in timber adds to the natural feel.
When horizontal space is in short supply, think vertically. Here, the designers have maximised greenery in this compact backyard by including four level changes – one of which acts as seating. Cladding the retaining walls in timber adds to the natural feel.
4. Classic beauty
While some might argue that this lush climbing plant is in need of a trim, for others it makes a striking focal point that contrasts beautifully with the crisp black-and-white tiled path. It also brings instant greenery to the first-floor view.
While some might argue that this lush climbing plant is in need of a trim, for others it makes a striking focal point that contrasts beautifully with the crisp black-and-white tiled path. It also brings instant greenery to the first-floor view.
5. Wonder wall
No lawn? No problem. Here, a verdant green wall provides a natural touch to a small urban courtyard.
No lawn? No problem. Here, a verdant green wall provides a natural touch to a small urban courtyard.
6. Going up
A sliver of outdoor space is no impediment to going green. Here, the designer has managed to squeeze in a patch of lawn, rustic pavers and a contemporary trellis for climbing and trailing plants – all without overwhelming the space.
A sliver of outdoor space is no impediment to going green. Here, the designer has managed to squeeze in a patch of lawn, rustic pavers and a contemporary trellis for climbing and trailing plants – all without overwhelming the space.
7. A quiet spot
Meanwhile, the other side of the house features a shaded courtyard with room for a table and chairs. Create cohesion between the two spaces, like the designers have done here, by specifying the same matt-black finish to the walls and fences.
Meanwhile, the other side of the house features a shaded courtyard with room for a table and chairs. Create cohesion between the two spaces, like the designers have done here, by specifying the same matt-black finish to the walls and fences.
8. Well-connected
Connect your indoor living space to your outdoor area with a deep, timber deck, as the owners of this Sydney terrace have done. Space-savvy bamboo adds height and greenery, without sacrificing the tiny patch of lawn.
Connect your indoor living space to your outdoor area with a deep, timber deck, as the owners of this Sydney terrace have done. Space-savvy bamboo adds height and greenery, without sacrificing the tiny patch of lawn.
9. Make a statement
If you can’t go out, go up. Super-sized fiddle leaf figs in large pots add dimension and colour to the bijou outdoor area of this Sydney terrace, without swallowing up precious floor space.
If you can’t go out, go up. Super-sized fiddle leaf figs in large pots add dimension and colour to the bijou outdoor area of this Sydney terrace, without swallowing up precious floor space.
10. In the lines
Boost the connection between your indoor and outdoor spaces with full-height windows and glass doors overlooking a potted vertical garden.
Boost the connection between your indoor and outdoor spaces with full-height windows and glass doors overlooking a potted vertical garden.
11. Take it inside
If you don’t have any outdoor space to speak of in your urban home, why not add a lush, tropical courtyard to the centre of your floor plan? It’s a great way to bring light and natural appeal to all adjoining rooms.
If you don’t have any outdoor space to speak of in your urban home, why not add a lush, tropical courtyard to the centre of your floor plan? It’s a great way to bring light and natural appeal to all adjoining rooms.
12. Modern lines
When you live in a high-density urban area, it makes sense aesthetically to give your outdoor space a contemporary feel. Here, the designers have created a thoroughly modern outdoor room, complete with a raised entertaining zone, built-in seating and accessories with clean lines, which all look right at home in a city setting.
When you live in a high-density urban area, it makes sense aesthetically to give your outdoor space a contemporary feel. Here, the designers have created a thoroughly modern outdoor room, complete with a raised entertaining zone, built-in seating and accessories with clean lines, which all look right at home in a city setting.
13. Tiny but impactful
Less is more when it comes to designing a compact garden; rather than overfilling the space with features you don’t need, focus on those you can’t live without. Here, the owners have managed to include a patch of lawn, a slender garden bed for texture and a tree to provide shade – all without making the space feel crowded. Specifying the slim deck and pavers in the same pale tone maintains the clean, simple feel.
Less is more when it comes to designing a compact garden; rather than overfilling the space with features you don’t need, focus on those you can’t live without. Here, the owners have managed to include a patch of lawn, a slender garden bed for texture and a tree to provide shade – all without making the space feel crowded. Specifying the slim deck and pavers in the same pale tone maintains the clean, simple feel.
14. Nicely framed
Detract attention from the compact dimensions of your outdoor space with eye-catching potted plants. Framing them with full-height windows, as the owners have done here, is a clever way to ensure the eye is drawn exactly where you want it. As an added bonus, you get to take the pots with you to future abodes.
Your turn
Which of these outdoor spaces inspires you? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on gardens? Check out this UK Garden Tour: A New Formal Design for a Tricky-Shaped Garden
Detract attention from the compact dimensions of your outdoor space with eye-catching potted plants. Framing them with full-height windows, as the owners have done here, is a clever way to ensure the eye is drawn exactly where you want it. As an added bonus, you get to take the pots with you to future abodes.
Your turn
Which of these outdoor spaces inspires you? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images for inspiration, and join the conversation.
More
Want more on gardens? Check out this UK Garden Tour: A New Formal Design for a Tricky-Shaped Garden
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Does anyone have any ideas on how to "reclaim" the frontyard, which takes significant amount of land, not fenced and only exists for the kerb appeal? Like many australians, we live in a medium density zone suburbia, where there is only about a metre between us and neigbours house. There are a few considerations there and one of them is privacy. At the same time it would be nice to maintain clear view from the roadside to the entrance of the house.
Definitely prefer those with more plant life. More hard surfaces are not an environmentally responsible choice and do nothing to impart feelings of tranquility and nature.
Some good ideas. Than you.