Backyard Design Guide

Give the kids a fun-filled outdoor play space they can enjoy all through the warmest months

A family backyard makes room for play, wonder, and just the right amount of risk-taking

An outdoor play space is the warm-weather antidote to a messy house. Here’s how one Southern California family created a modern, kid-friendly retreat in their backyard

A family turns its unused backyard into a place to eat, drink, and play all year

Is it a garden if there aren’t many plants? Yes. Turn a plot into a minimalist escape that’s perfect for city living

Take a cue from one of the West’s boldest designers, and turn your backyard into an exotic retreat

See how a boring Southern California yard got a stunning ​Hawaiian makeover, complete with tropical plants and a lagoon

Learn how to turn an empty patch into an outdoor retreat you never want to leave

Channel your favorite vacation spot in your garden with these dreamy design ideas

A low-water garden doesn’t have to look stark

Bold shapes and patterns make this garden striking from every angle

This isn’t Bali; this is your backyard—or it could be if you follow these steps to creating a lush setting

This tranquil space proves that a yard can still encompass outdoor living even in times of drought

With a tiny house, you can transform a lawn into a wild-around-the-edges zone for a complete cabin-in-the-woods effect

Glam out your backyard without breaking the bank

See how a couple turned their yard into the neighborhood’s most popular theater

This San Diego yard is verdant—and resists wildfires. Follow its lessons for creating your own gorgeous, fire-smart landscape

Incorporate recycled materials and resource-minded practices for a stylish, earth-friendly retreat

A small urban backyard that might be short on space, but not on style

A sloped backyard comes alive with water-wise plants and clever landscaping

Create a sustainable haven for wildlife in your own backyard

See how a small backyard became a series of outdoor rooms, maximized for comfort and fun

Japanese design principles and a beachy L.A. vibe unite in a serene backyard sanctuary

See how one garden, full of challenges, becomes a series of low-maintenance, party-ready rooms

One garden, 4 outdoor rooms—this small Northern California backyard has it all. Plus: Outdoor room design tips

Create compartments to transform a long garden

See how a barely usable Venice backyard evolved into a cozy family retreat

What happens when hard (pavement) meets soft (plantings) in your yard? Modern art you can walk on