16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (2024)

Gardening

Landscaping

By

David Beaulieu

16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (1)

David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience.

Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process

Updated on 03/13/23

Trending Videos

16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (2)

Patio landscaping has a dual mandate. Your outdoor living area should look great, but it should also be functional. Privacy, safety, comfort, and low-maintenance are four aspects of functionality in this case. We touch upon all four here, while focusing on ideas for improving the appearance of your deck or patio area.

10 Best Garden Planners, Programs, and Apps

  • 01 of 16

    Bring in Patio Plants

    16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (3)

    Patios and decks are rather uninviting if not furnished with plants and accessories. Plants soften the uncompromising lines of hardscape features, breathing life into them and inviting you in to sit down and relax.

    Although there are other ways to do it (such as patio planter pockets), the easiest way to incorporate plants into a deck or patio setting is to use container gardens. Because containers are portable, Northerners can easily grow tropical flowers in them during the summertime, then simply move them indoors when Jack Frost beckons. But you can grow almost anything in a container. The idea of using plants on your patio can even help you avoid the costly project of removing an old patio and constructing a new one, as plants are capable of hiding many an eyesore.

    Regarding safety, if you're allergic to bee stings, avoid patio landscaping geared to flowers, because they're bee magnets. Stick instead to foliage plants such as those with variegated leaves.

  • 02 of 16

    Select the Right Tree for Your Patio Landscaping

    16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (4)

    Big plants can cause big problems. Trees are the biggest class of landscape plants, so one thing you definitely have to get right with your patio landscaping is tree selection:

    • If you want a shade tree for your patio, choose a tree that will be of intermediate height at maturity.
    • Avoid installing trees with aggressive root systems.
    • Choose trees that are relatively clean to reduce maintenance.

    Japanese maples give you good options for trees of intermediate height.

    Some plants are better/worse than others for growing around septic tanks based on the nature of their root systems. These same plants are good/bad choices for patio landscaping.

    Then there's the issue of whether or not a tree is messy. Eastern white pines are one of the messiest trees: They get pine pitch all over everything. By contrast, Sunburst honey locust is relatively mess-free.

  • 03 of 16

    Add Some Privacy

    16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (5)

    The vast majority of people like to have at least a little privacy along their property lines. There are three ways to go here:

    • Fences
    • Informal hedges
    • Formal hedges

    Non-gardeners may prefer to erect fences to gain privacy, while gardeners often achieve it instead through the use of plant material. A row of arborvitae bushes used to help screen out unwanted attention from the neighboring house is a good example of an informal hedge.

  • 04 of 16

    Plant Formal Hedges

    16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (6)

    Some folks prefer a more manicured look in screening, achieved by trimming the shrubs into a rectangular shape. Thus the popularity of the formal hedge, which also gives a greater degree of privacy. Privet is a popular choice. But a number of options for formal hedges exist, including:

    • Boxwood
    • Holly
    • Barberry

    Continue to 5 of 16 below

  • 05 of 16

    Think Vertically

    16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (7)

    When mulling over our choices for patio landscaping, sometimes it's easy to become fixated on the two-dimensional. But by including verticality in our designs, we open up a whole other dimension, making the outdoor living area much more interesting. Building an arbor adjacent to your patio is one way to inject a vertical element.

    Arbors make for easier DIY projects. Gardeners will love growing flowering vines on their arbors.

  • 06 of 16

    Bring in Covered Pergolas

    16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (8)

    The vertical element can be introduced in a number of ways. The option with the greatest impact is the pergola. It's also the option with the highest functionality because pergolas can be covered to increase your comfort level outdoors by providing shade. Cover your pergola and you've transformed it into a room that isn't quite "inside," but neither is it any longer quite "outside."

  • 07 of 16

    Use Perennials to Soften Hard Patio Lines

    16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (9)

    Hardscape structures such as patios bristle with harsh edges, and landscaping with plants is one of the best ways to provide a softening touch. Among the smaller plants, perennials are the most popular choice for this job. Deploying a mix of mainly long-blooming perennials and small shrubs, you can have something in bloom for most of the growing season.

  • 08 of 16

    Don't Forget About Annuals

    16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (10)

    Don't be hesitant to spice up your patio landscaping with annuals. These plants may be short-lived, but they provide a potent injection of instant color.

    Sure, the gardening snobs may look down on annuals such as impatiens as being strictly for amateurs. But these are the same people who pontificate about how some plants are "overused," how some plants have colors too garish to use, etc. Always remember: this is your outdoor space to enjoy. You should be making your own aesthetic decisions since you know your own tastes better than the know-it-alls do.

    Continue to 9 of 16 below

  • 09 of 16

    Consider a Pool

    16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (11)

    One aspect of patio functionality is comfort, and that's where pools come into play. There's nothing like sunning yourself on the patio and then jumping into a swimming pool to cool off. You'll have to decide, though, if this luxury is worth the extra maintenance involved with pools. Moreover, there's a safety issue here if you have small children.

    In-ground swimming pools are also expensive, as are a couple of other patio features popular with the well-to-do:

    • Outdoor kitchens
    • Outdoor fireplaces
  • 10 of 16

    Relax With Small Decorative Water Features

    16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (12)

    More manageable for the water-craving masses are small decorative water features. You can't swim in them, but the gurgling sound made by their waters is ever so relaxing.

    Choices for fountains include:

    • Ceramic fountains
    • Granite fountains
    • Clay pot fountains
  • 11 of 16

    Add Pops of Color

    16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (13)

    If you really want to get fancy, you can do some color coordinating between your patio and your plants. For example, Blue Star juniper would bring out the blue in some bluestone pavers or even flagstone. For a smaller plant, try blue fescue grass.

    Conversely, plant selections that might go well with a brick patio (depending on the color of the bricks in question) include:

    • Castor bean (which is a poisonous plant, so keep safety in mind)
    • Chocolate Drop sedum
    • A dark-leaved ninebark
  • 12 of 16

    Create a Plant Border for Ambiance

    16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (14)

    Creating a border of plants around your patio can add beauty and an ambiance to the space. They are relaxing to look at and enjoy. You can fill it with whatever plants work best in your area, including lavender, rose bushes, other flowers, or shrubs. Just make sure that you are not giving yourself a lot of extra maintenance when putting these plants in unless you like to putter around in the yard a lot. To help determine the type of edging plants that will work best for your patio border, some questions to ask yourself include how tall the plant is going to get, if it needs full sun or shade, what colors you like, and the type of soil required for it to grow best.

    Continue to 13 of 16 below

  • 13 of 16

    Decorate With a Vertical Garden

    16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (15)

    If you have an outside wall located in your patio area, avertical gardenis a fantastic way to dress up the area. You can make the garden both gorgeous and functional by planting herbs that you can use in your cooking, including rosemary, basil, and thyme. For a more decorative approach, plant some small ferns, or philodendrons, for trailing type plants, or plant some succulents for limited watering maintenance. Check first on what plants will work best depending on your hardiness zone. The vertical wall planter should be sturdy, with a flat back, so it can hang on the wall properly.

  • 14 of 16

    Take Care of Your Lawn

    16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (16)

    Looking out into your backyard from your patio, the lushness of a bright, thick, and green lawn is necessary. It's not only pleasing to the eye but keeps the dirt down on your patio, too. The right amount of water, weed, pest control, and mowing to the proper height will help achieve and keep a lawn that you not only want to look at but walk in, too.

  • 15 of 16

    Add a Beautiful Element with Rocks

    16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (17)

    Edging your flower beds with a rock border or putting rocks or boulders into them adds character and depth to the landscaping around your patio. Not only are they low maintenance, but they provide a visual element, too. Scatter some boulders amongst your plants and shrubbery and use smaller rocks as the ground cover instead of mulch. Large stepping stones extending out from your patio as a walkway to your yard are another way to create a beautiful area of focus. From relaxing Zen gardens to colorful succulent gardens, there are numerous ways that rocks can highlight and add interest to your backyard and patio area. Let your imagination run wild!

  • 16 of 16

    Unwind in the Comfort of Your Patio

    16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (18)

    Your outdoor patio should be functional, beautiful, relaxing, and inviting. Having the proper outdoor seating and ambiance will have you, your family, and guests gravitating toward this charming space. From wicker furniture to sectionals, make sure they have comfy cushions and throw some pillows on for a bright, vibrant accent. This is your little piece of paradise, so select the style of furniture that makes it yours. It will be a place you will retreat to for drinking your coffee in the morning while listening to birds, reading a book on a quiet afternoon, or eating dinner while enjoying the fresh outside air. Just know that others will want to join you too.

16 Patio Landscaping Ideas (2024)

FAQs

How do I create a beautiful landscape on a budget? ›

11 Cheap Backyard Landscaping Ideas
  1. Use Mulch Alternatives. ...
  2. Repurpose Old Tires. ...
  3. Go Vertical With Your Gardening. ...
  4. Add a Splash of Color. ...
  5. Plant a Functional Garden. ...
  6. Opt for Natural Perennial Ground Covers. ...
  7. Build an Outdoor Fire Pit. ...
  8. Plant a Tree.
Apr 16, 2024

How do you divide a large patio? ›

Here are a few stylish ways to divide your patio.
  1. Using a low wall as a subtle barrier. ...
  2. Using steps to separate areas. ...
  3. Defining an outdoor room beneath a pergola. ...
  4. Finding a focal point to define your outdoor room. ...
  5. Using plant beds and strips of greenery to separate areas.

How do I choose a landscaping style? ›

The landscaping style you choose should allow your yard to be a place where you can go to relax and decompress from the rest of the world. When choosing a type of landscaping design, keep in mind your ultimate goals, such as designing your yard for children, sustainability, entertaining or relaxation.

What is the cheapest landscape fill? ›

Opt for gravel, organic mulch, recycled wood, and locally sourced rocks and stones to create a beautiful, low-budget landscape.

What is most cost-effective for landscaping? ›

But, as for how to keep the landscaping budget in check, there are many ways to save money while still achieving great curb appeal.
  1. Freshen Up or Add Mulch Beds. ...
  2. Plant Perennials for Annual Enjoyment. ...
  3. Improve Edging Around your Patio. ...
  4. Grow Native Plants that Won't Stretch your Water Bill. ...
  5. Incorporate Xeriscaping Elements.
May 6, 2024

Is there an app that helps me design my backyard? ›

iScape is the No. 1 app for landscape design. We are here to help you create beautiful outdoor living areas.

How do I design my outdoor area? ›

Sketch out a plan of how you want your outdoor room to look. Think about what you want in your room, how big it is and then mark it out on the floor to make sure it fits. Also, think about what you want to use your outdoor room for, whether it's cooking, eating and entertaining or simply relaxing.

Is a 12x12 patio big enough? ›

Is a 12x12 patio big enough? For many people, a 12-by-12-foot patio is plenty big. This size still allows for a dining table to sit four to eight people, with a bit of room to spare. You could always use more room, of course, but it depends on if you have it.

What are the 15 types of landscapes? ›

List of different types of landscape. Desert, Plain, Taiga, Tundra, Wetland, Mountain, Mountain range, Cliff, Coast, Littoral zone, Glacier, Polar regions of Earth, Shrubland, Forest, Rainforest, Woodland, Jungle, Moors, Steppe, Valley.

What are the 3 major landscape types? ›

Mountains, hills, plateaus, and plains are the four major types of landforms.

What are the 7 steps to landscape design? ›

  1. Step 1: Plan a Landscape Project. Like any home project, planning is one of the most important aspects of re-landscaping your yard. ...
  2. Step 2: Remove the Lawn. ...
  3. Step 3: Install Hardscape. ...
  4. Step 4: Build a Healthy Soil. ...
  5. Step 5: Install an Irrigation System. ...
  6. Step 6: Purchase & Install Plants. ...
  7. Step 7: Water Efficiently.

What is the least expensive ground cover? ›

12 Cheap Ways to Cover Dirt in Your Backyard
  • Wood Chips: Wood chips are an excellent ground cover option that adds a natural and rustic touch to your backyard. ...
  • Install Sod or Plant Grass Seeds: ...
  • Artificial Grass: ...
  • Organic Mulch: ...
  • Build a Deck: ...
  • Pavers and Stone: ...
  • Gravel and Pebbles: ...
  • Rubber Mulch:

What is the cheapest landscaping ground? ›

Top Choices for Affordable Landscaping Materials
  • Mulch.
  • Shredded Leaves.
  • Pea Gravel.
  • Bark.
  • Rocks.
  • Brick Chips.
  • Sand.
  • Pine Needles & Cones.
May 30, 2023

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Delena Feil

Last Updated:

Views: 5646

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (65 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Delena Feil

Birthday: 1998-08-29

Address: 747 Lubowitz Run, Sidmouth, HI 90646-5543

Phone: +99513241752844

Job: Design Supervisor

Hobby: Digital arts, Lacemaking, Air sports, Running, Scouting, Shooting, Puzzles

Introduction: My name is Delena Feil, I am a clean, splendid, calm, fancy, jolly, bright, faithful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.