Functional Landscaping: 10 Tips to Turn Your Backyard Into a Unique Space

by Katie Daniel | May 11, 2017 9:37 am

By Clayton Ditzler

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In today’s busy world, more and more homeowners are looking to get additional value out of their properties and there is no larger investment you can make than in your home. Lately, there has also been a conscious push by families to increase the amount of free time they have together, while also improving their quality of life beyond the reaches of the ubiquitous electronic devices that have become such a big part of our lives.

When it comes to landscaping, one of the most common questions from homeowners during a design consultation, beyond solving the logistical requirements of the site, is “I want some ideas of what I can do with my property to make it more functional for my family.” In response to this popular inquiry, keeping practicality in mind, here are 10 items to consider when planning your backyard landscape.

[2]1. The backyard pool
This may seem like the obvious choice, but there are few items you can add to your landscape that will rival a professionally designed and installed pool. Not only will a pool appeal to every member of your family—from swimming for exercise to free play and lounging by the water with a cool beverage—nothing can compare in terms of the ultimate focal point. There is just something about the way light reflects off the water that draws you in. Even though the pool lifestyle may not be the answer for every family, those that install one often say it becomes the hub of their outdoor space. In fact, if you install one, you will likely find yourself choosing to stay home and enjoy your backyard rather than travelling somewhere in search of the same experience.

2. Who does not love the beach?
Although this landscaping feature is more commonly incorporated into a waterfront property, there is no reason to be restricted if you are landlocked. Sand beach areas can be created adjacent to patios or other hardscape areas and can increase the play appeal of these spaces. Your kids will love the fact they can create sandcastles, while other family members may enjoy using the sand as an area to sunbathe. Visually, a beach setting can also serve to remind you of your favourite vacation spot.

One consideration with a beach area is to try to provide enough buffer between it and your pool or hot tub to control the amount of sand that may be tracked into these wet areas. One way to achieve this is by taking advantage of topography, whereby including a low retaining wall as a barrier between the beach and the rest of your property.

Good quality sand should also be a priority. Before committing to the whole project, test some sand samples to make sure you find the qualities you are looking for. Keep in mind, the more uniform in size the sand particles are the more likely it will remain loose and not pack hard, or become soupy and unpleasant feeling when wet.

[3]3. Dedicated play structures
Encouraging safe outdoor play is a priority for today’s families and these spaces can take on many different forms. At the design phase, it is important to consider how your use of this space will evolve over time, as some items may be practical for only a few years.

Dedicated play structures with swings, playhouse, sandboxes, etc., are great for a young family, but can become outmoded in a remarkably short amount of time. These items can be treated as ephemeral and placed in a turf area or some consideration can be given at the design stage as to how you may be able to transform this space as time goes on. For example, once your kids outgrow the play centre, it can become a firepit area.

A popular general purpose addition to a backyard landscape, specifically for family outdoor play, is a games court that is large enough for several people to participate in a sport. With the objective of using a product that is durable, low maintenance, and safe, these areas often comprise plastic tiles which are installed over a concrete or asphalt base to provide the perfect surface for games like basketball, hockey, or volleyball, etc., depending on the size of the court your backyard and budget will allow, of course.

Site fixtures such as nets, lighting, and boundary lines can also be incorporated into the court. Younger family members can ride their tricycles on these surfaces, which allow for all sorts of imaginative play within the safety of your backyard. For full, four-season functionality, some sport courts can also be flooded in the winter and made into an ice rink. While a 9.2- x 18.3-m (30- x 60-ft) court is considered optimal, half of this area will still provide adequate space for your family to play many sports.

[4]4. Everything and the kitchen sink
Healthy exercise in the outdoors will naturally produce a healthy appetite, but there is no reason you should have to retreat inside your house when mealtime approaches. In this case, incorporating an outdoor kitchen into your backyard landscape can be a wise choice.

A gas or charcoal grill is the heart of the outdoor kitchen, while a variety of ready-made or custom components can be added, including refrigerators, dishwashers, sinks, cabinetry, lighting, heaters, and cooktops, to create a stylish and functional space during those months when you want to move the heart of your home outside.

To ensure these spaces stand up to the elements, stone or masonry products work best, while solid countertop surfaces (e.g. granite or quartz) resist water infiltration better than tile surfaces.

One of the latest trends is incorporating a smoker into your outdoor kitchen. These typically cook food slowly over many hours, which appeals to the chef who can patiently attend the meal while visiting or supervising children at play. The opposite end of the spectrum is a pizza oven, which cooks food very quickly at high temperatures. The only downside to incorporating a pizza oven into your outdoor kitchen is that you will not want use the oven inside your house ever again.

5. A garden variety
While on the subject of outdoor kitchens, why not grow some of the food in your own backyard garden? This is a perfect family activity, especially for young children who can use a home vegetable garden to learn where food comes from and how much better it can be when you produce it yourself.

Although modern landscapes do not typically provide space for a conventional vegetable garden, container gardening is another option which many prove more advantageous. For instance, the soil warms quicker in the spring so you can extend your growing season and less time and effort is needed to work the soil and remove weeds as with conventional vegetable gardens. Further, because you can add a custom soil blend to the container/planter box, the optimal soil for drainage and fertility can be chosen. For kids, some of the best vegetables to plant are carrots, peas, salad greens, and strawberries. These can all be eaten straight from the garden and are easy to grow.

Tomatoes are another popular choice (but require a bit more attention with respect to water, fertilizing, pruning, etc.), and even the smallest space can grow a pot or two of herbs. Consider a drip irrigation system to reduce maintenance and keep them in full sun close to the backdoor for ready use.

[5]6. Three-dimensional structures
A big part of making your property more usable is creating spaces that draw people out into your backyard. One way to do this is by adding a structure (e.g. pergola) to the space to create a third dimension. Pergolas have an open beam structure, so they do not have a solid roof, but still give a sense of enclosure and provide a measure of shade depending on the design.

A properly designed pergola can become the focal point of your landscape, whereby anchoring a corner and inviting people to visit it. They can be designed to provide screening to create privacy or block wind and, once inside the structure, it can become a place where you can overlook your garden. By incorporating a swing seat, hammock, or other comfortable furniture, this can easily become your favourite retreat for reading or relaxation when a simple break is needed from a more active area of your landscape.

[6]7. All fired up
Often, we are drawn to things deeply rooted within our psyche. One of these things happens to be fire. Who does not enjoy an evening gathered around an open campfire with the warm glow reflecting off everyone’s faces? It is a place where you and your family can tell stories, share food and drink, all while relaxing and unwinding by the fire.

In today’s landscapes, a firepit can take many forms and be constructed out a variety of materials. Natural stone is more traditional, but if you are watching your budget, firepits can be constructed from modular concrete products, which, are in fact, being used much more frequently. These are often made from the same materials as pavers and retaining wall products, so everything blends well together in terms of colours and textures. Round shapes are still quite common, but square and rectangular firepits are also coming on the scene to co-ordinate with the rectilinear lines of today’s more modern landscapes.

Regardless of the shape, firepits can be a traditional wood-burning or have the ‘instant on/instant off’ convenience of a gas-fired insert. As with all outdoor construction, you should check your local bylaws first to be sure your firepit complies with all codes.

8. A green with envy
In terms of ‘bang for your buck,’ a putting green is an outstanding investment. All ages can play and a professionally designed and installed green provides a very realistic putting experience. From a design standpoint, the green acts in a similar manner to natural lawn areas in that it provides ‘negative space’ for the eye to rest on. Modern turf materials are long lasting, natural-looking, and low-maintenance. Greens can be shaped to maximize the space available and can be contoured and designed with fringes so they play like standard putting greens. If space allows, separate chipping or pitching areas can be incorporated into the landscape to increase the functionality of the green and provide a broader range of practice. Where space and budget allows a bigger green is more enjoyable to use but even a small green can be an asset to your property. An ideal location is somewhere where non-golfers can observe and interact with the players so everyone is included.

[7]9. Pull up a chair
Furnishing your space can be a very satisfying way to improve the function of your landscape and get your family outside. Wood is still a popular choice with sustainably harvested teak pieces being the best material with respect to low maintenance, while composite wood furniture—in classic designs such as Adirondack chairs—provide the look of bright coloured painted wood without the upkeep.

Fabric upholstered couches and chairs using bold colours and patterns are now the trend. This furniture is designed to withstand ultraviolet (UV) light, dry quickly and provide many years of service with little upkeep. Often incorporated into all-weather wicker frames, these pieces can be arranged in a pleasing ‘living room’ style layout.

Metal furniture is still popular, too. Sometimes this furniture is finished with woven composite materials—known as sling style—that do not require any maintenance, but are cool in hot weather, quick drying, and comfortable.

If you have a pool, do not forget chaise loungers. These are vital to your poolside retreat. Further, you should consider a good patio umbrella as well. Styles using a heavy base that is set to one side while the umbrella tilts out over the furnished area provide excellent functionality and usually offer better coverage options than standard umbrellas which come straight out of a base or table. Whether your style is sleek and modern or rustic country charm, there are an abundance of furniture options for you to choose from.

[8]10. Accessorizing your backyard
An often overlooked aspect of making your landscape a family atmosphere is accessorizing. Your garden can be every bit as personal as inside your home by including items collected on trips, family heirlooms, garden statuary, or art that speaks to you. This is the step where you make the landscape your own.

As with all design, each accessory should be in scale with its surroundings and work cohesively within the space. For instance, garden statuary can be large to make an immediate bold statement, or smaller pieces can be used quite effectively, too, by tucking them in the garden somewhere where visitors will find it on their own as they explore your garden. Children and adults alike love the idea of exploring and discovery, and a good garden is best viewed not as a whole, but experienced by moving through it.

Use these ideas to create your own unique space
The intent of this article is to provide some insight into current trends for a family-oriented landscape; however, the real beauty of residential landscaping is no two projects are ever the same and each garden is a unique work in progress. Enjoy the process of making your backyard truly your own.

Clayton Ditzler is a certified landscape designer (CLD) with The Landscape Artist Inc., in Calgary. He has more than 27 years of experience designing residential landscapes. Ditzler can be reached at clayton@landartist.com [9]or by visiting www.landartist.com[10].

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