50 Beautiful Backyard Landscaping Ideas

Is your backyard in need of a renovation? We have plenty of backyard landscaping ideas — from design ideas for small backyards and backyards that slope to family-friendly designs and backyards designed for entertaining.

Make your backyard a place that reflects your style, whether you prefer a contemporary-style space with succulents and abundant hardscapes or a cottage-style look with pathways or water features framed by masses of colorful perennials. If you like to host outdoor parties, consider adding a fire pit or fireplace for guests to gather around.

Fire pits can work in all kinds of backyard schemes, on decks, poolside, in a lush forest setting and in a vast clearing. This corner fire pit becomes the perfect spot to snuggle up as the evening winds down and stars come out. See the following photos for more backyard design ideas and inspiration.

Plants like iris, alliums, echinacea, roses and foxglove emphasize the cottage style of this colorful backyard garden. The flowering plants are primarily pink, white, yellow and blue — a soft palette that complements the natural shingles of the home. Flowering shrubs, roses, perennials, annuals and spring bulbs ensure that the garden is in bloom from March until late fall.

Create multiple areas for friends and family to mingle. Here, a lush, green lawn offers space to spread out and play lawn games or have a picnic. A gorgeous fire pit seating area provides room to relax and, just steps away, a spacious deck is an ideal spot to enjoy dinner alfresco.

This backyard boasts a staggered deck walkway that leads to a back door entrance to the home. Stone, gravel and evergreen landscaping are used throughout the yard, while a small pond features a unique floating stone patio complete with an outdoor dining table and chairs.