18+ Inspiring Side of the House Landscaping Ideas

Ever looked at the side of your house and thought, ‘What can I do with this space?’ You’re not alone! Let’s explore some creative and practical ideas to transform that often-overlooked area into a charming and functional part of your home.

1. Incorporate Ground Cover

Creeping thyme serves as a lush ground cover between stepping stones.
Creeping thyme serves as a lush ground cover between stepping stones.

Using ground cover plants like creeping thyme keeps the weeds at bay and adds texture. I planted them between my stepping stones for a lush, green look.

Maybe worth checking out:

  • Creeping Thyme Seeds: Transform your pathway with these easy-to-grow creeping thyme seeds, perfect for lush ground cover.
  • Stepping Stones: Enhance your garden design with durable stepping stones, ideal for a stylish pathway look.
  • Outdoor Garden Lighting: Illuminate your pathway with elegant outdoor lights, perfect for adding ambiance and safety.

2. Illuminate with Soft Lighting

Solar-powered lights softly illuminate a garden path and plants at night.
Solar-powered lights softly illuminate a garden path and plants at night.

Add some outdoor lighting to highlight your landscape and ensure safety after dark. I love using solar-powered lights for a hassle-free and eco-friendly glow.

These products might help:

  • Solar-Powered Pathway Lights: Enhance your walkway with eco-friendly solar lights. Enjoy beautiful illumination without extra wiring.
  • LED Garden Spotlights: Highlight your landscape with adjustable LED spotlights. Ideal for accentuating plants and features.
  • Decorative Lantern Lights: Add charm with decorative lantern lights. Perfect for creating a welcoming ambiance along paths.

3. Create a Serene Pathway

A stone pathway with surrounding pebbles creates a serene walk along the side of the house.
A stone pathway with surrounding pebbles creates a serene walk along the side of the house.

A pathway lined with stepping stones can guide the eye and the feet through your side yard beautifully. In my garden, I used flat stones and surrounded them with small pebbles for a calming effect.

Some ideas to consider:

  • Natural Stepping Stones: Transform your garden with natural stepping stones for a charming and functional pathway.
  • Decorative Garden Pebbles: Enhance your pathway with decorative pebbles, adding texture and visual interest to your yard.
  • Solar Pathway Lights: Illuminate your pathway with solar lights to create an inviting atmosphere in your garden.

4. Design with Decorative Stones

River rocks create a natural and low-maintenance border for plants.
River rocks create a natural and low-maintenance border for plants.

Decorative stones or gravel can be a beautiful and low-maintenance option for the side of your house. I used river rocks to create a natural-looking border along my plants.

Some handy options:

  • River Rocks for Landscaping: Enhance your garden with natural river rocks for a beautiful, low-maintenance border design.
  • Garden Landscape Fabric: Use landscape fabric under stones to prevent weed growth and maintain your garden’s clean look.
  • Garden Edging Stones: Create defined borders with edging stones, adding structure and elegance to your garden layout.

5. Grow a Vegetable Patch

A thriving vegetable garden with tomatoes and peppers in a sunny side yard.
A thriving vegetable garden with tomatoes and peppers in a sunny side yard.

Utilize the side of your house for a vegetable garden if sunlight allows. I’ve had great success with tomatoes and peppers, which thrive in a sunny spot.

A few choices to try:

  • Raised Garden Bed: Boost your garden’s productivity with a sturdy raised bed for easy planting and harvesting.
  • Vegetable Garden Fertilizer: Enhance your vegetable growth with high-quality fertilizer for lush and healthy plants.
  • Tomato and Pepper Seed Pack: Kickstart your garden with high-yield tomato and pepper seeds for fresh homegrown produce.

6. Add a Privacy Screen

A lattice privacy screen with climbing plants offers seclusion and beauty.
A lattice privacy screen with climbing plants offers seclusion and beauty.

A privacy screen can provide seclusion and support climbing plants. I use lattice panels, which are great for both privacy and aesthetics.

Possibly handy products:

  • Wooden Lattice Panels: Enhance privacy and support climbing plants with classic wooden lattice panels.
  • Expandable Faux Ivy Privacy Screen: Instantly add greenery and privacy with a versatile expandable faux ivy screen.
  • Bamboo Privacy Screen: Create a natural, serene barrier with a durable and eco-friendly bamboo privacy screen.

7. Build a Mini Greenhouse

A small greenhouse in a side yard allows for extended growing seasons.
A small greenhouse in a side yard allows for extended growing seasons.

A compact greenhouse can extend your growing season and fit snugly in a narrow space. Mine is perfect for starting seedlings and protecting tender plants.

Explore these options:

  • Compact Greenhouse Kit: Extend your growing season with a greenhouse kit designed for narrow spaces. Easy and practical.
  • Seedling Starter Trays: Kickstart your garden by nurturing seeds with efficient and reusable starter trays. Ideal for beginners.
  • Greenhouse Shelving Units: Maximize your space with durable and adjustable shelving units for your greenhouse. Organize effortlessly.

8. Incorporate Edible Plants

A side yard garden with herbs and berry bushes offers fresh, edible plants.
A side yard garden with herbs and berry bushes offers fresh, edible plants.

Mix edible plants like herbs and berries into your side yard landscape. I love snipping fresh herbs for my dishes right from my garden.

Check these products out:

  • Herb Planter Box: Grow your favorite herbs effortlessly in a versatile planter box. Perfect for any kitchen garden.
  • Berry Bush Starter Kit: Enjoy fresh berries all season with an easy-to-use starter kit, ideal for small garden spaces.
  • Gardening Tool Set: Make gardening a breeze with essential tools designed for planting and maintaining edible plants.

9. Add a Water Feature

A solar-powered fountain adds a tranquil sound and visual interest.
A solar-powered fountain adds a tranquil sound and visual interest.

A small water feature like a fountain can add tranquility to your side yard. I installed a solar-powered fountain, and its gentle sound is so calming.

A few relevant products:

  • Solar-Powered Fountain Pump Kit: Transform your garden with a solar-powered fountain, offering eco-friendly soothing water sounds.
  • Cast Stone Garden Fountain: Enhance your yard with a durable cast stone fountain, ideal for a classic garden look.
  • Outdoor Fountain Lighting Kit: Illuminate your garden fountain at night with this easy-to-install lighting kit for beautiful ambiance.

10. Create a Mosaic Art Wall

A colorful mosaic art wall adds a stunning focal point to the side of a house.
A colorful mosaic art wall adds a stunning focal point to the side of a house.

Unleash your creativity with a mosaic art wall using tiles or stones. I crafted a colorful mosaic that serves as a stunning focal point.

You might like:

  • Assorted Mosaic Tiles: Bring color to your walls with assorted mosaic tiles. Mix and match for unique designs.
  • Tile Adhesive Paste: Ensure your mosaic pieces stay in place with durable tile adhesive. Easy to apply and effective.
  • Grouting Sealer for Mosaics: Protect and seal your mosaic art with easy-to-use grouting sealer. Enhance durability and appearance.

11. Create a Zen Garden

A Zen garden with sand and stones offers a peaceful and meditative space.
A Zen garden with sand and stones offers a peaceful and meditative space.

Transform your side yard into a Zen garden with sand, stones, and a few well-placed plants. On busy days, raking the sand helps me relax and find focus.

A few things you might like:

  • Zen Garden Sand: Use this fine white sand for creating tranquil patterns in your Zen garden. Relax and unwind.
  • Garden Rake Set: Enhance your Zen garden experience with a quality rake set for perfect sand patterns.
  • Decorative Garden Stones: Arrange decorative stones to add natural elegance to your Zen garden. Elevate your outdoor space.

12. Install a Plunge Pool

A compact plunge pool provides a refreshing escape in a narrow space.
A compact plunge pool provides a refreshing escape in a narrow space.

For a luxurious touch, consider a plunge pool for cooling off on hot days. They require less space than full-sized pools and offer a refreshing escape.

Items that may come in handy:

  • Inflatable Plunge Pool: Easily set up your own cooling oasis with this compact inflatable plunge pool.
  • Pool Maintenance Kit: Keep your plunge pool pristine and refreshing with a complete maintenance kit.
  • LED Pool Lights: Illuminate your plunge pool beautifully at night with vibrant LED lights.

13. Install a Living Wall

A vibrant living wall with ferns and succulents enhances the side of a house.
A vibrant living wall with ferns and succulents enhances the side of a house.

A living wall can turn a plain side wall into a lush canvas. I chose a mix of ferns and succulents, creating a vibrant tapestry of textures.

Consider these options:

  • Vertical Garden Planter System: Transform your wall with this modular planter system, perfect for ferns and succulents.
  • Fern and Succulent Plant Kit: Get started with this diverse plant collection, ideal for creating lush greenery effortlessly.
  • Self-Watering Wall Planters: Simplify maintenance with these self-watering planters, ensuring your living wall stays vibrant.

14. Incorporate a Dry Creek Bed

A dry creek bed adds character and aids in drainage along the side of a house.
A dry creek bed adds character and aids in drainage along the side of a house.

A dry creek bed can add character and improve drainage. I designed one with stones and pebbles, making it look like a natural water path.

Give these a look:

  • Decorative Landscaping Pebbles: Enhance your dry creek bed with natural pebbles for a realistic and visually appealing finish.
  • River Rocks for Gardens: Add texture and interest by incorporating diverse-sized river rocks into your creek bed design.
  • Garden Weed Barrier Fabric: Prevent weed growth in your dry creek bed by installing durable weed barrier fabric underneath.

15. Install Artistic Sculptures

An elegant metal sculpture adds a touch of intrigue to a landscaped side yard.
An elegant metal sculpture adds a touch of intrigue to a landscaped side yard.

Add artistic sculptures for a touch of elegance and intrigue. I found a metal sculpture that perfectly complements my garden’s aesthetic.

Useful items to consider:

  • Metal Garden Sculpture: Enhance your garden’s beauty with this elegant metal sculpture adding a modern touch.
  • Abstract Metal Yard Art: Transform your landscape with abstract metal art that intrigues and captivates visitors.
  • Outdoor Decorative Sculpture: Invite elegance to your outdoor spaces with this decorative sculpture, perfect for any garden theme.

16. Install a Vertical Garden

A vertical garden with herbs adds greenery and functionality.
A vertical garden with herbs adds greenery and functionality.

Maximize space with a vertical garden using wall-mounted planters. I have a wall of herbs that not only looks great but provides fresh ingredients for cooking.

Possibly helpful picks:

  • Wall-Mounted Vertical Planters: Transform your wall into a lush garden with space-saving vertical planters. Perfect for fresh herbs.
  • Self-Watering Planter System: Ensure your herbs stay hydrated with a convenient self-watering planter system.
  • Herb Garden Starter Kit: Kickstart your vertical herb garden with an easy-to-use starter kit. Ideal for beginners.

17. Add Vertical Interest with Trellises

Climbing roses on a wooden trellis add height and color to the side of the house.
Climbing roses on a wooden trellis add height and color to the side of the house.

Incorporating trellises can add height and interest, perfect for climbing plants. I installed a simple wooden trellis and trained some climbing roses, which now bloom beautifully every spring.

These products might be useful:

  • Decorative Wooden Garden Trellis: Enhance your garden’s beauty with this elegant wooden trellis for climbing plants and flowers.
  • Climbing Rose Seeds: Bring color to your outdoor space with vibrant climbing rose seeds, perfect for trellises.
  • Garden Plant Ties: Secure your climbing plants safely with flexible garden plant ties, promoting healthy growth.

18. Create a Children’s Play Area

A creative play area with a sandbox and chalkboard for children to enjoy.
A creative play area with a sandbox and chalkboard for children to enjoy.

Transform the side of your house into a play area with a sandbox or chalkboard. My nieces love drawing on the outdoor chalkboard I set up.

A few helpful options:

  • Outdoor Wooden Sandbox: Give children a fun, creative space with this durable, easy-to-assemble wooden sandbox.
  • Weatherproof Outdoor Chalkboard: Encourage artistic expression with a sturdy, weatherproof chalkboard perfect for outdoor creativity.
  • Children’s Sandbox Toys Set: Enhance playtime with colorful sandbox toys that spark imagination and creativity for hours.

Text: Joyce Peterson