Side yards are more than just a link from front yard to back. For smaller lots, this narrow strip is vital outdoor space that must be included in the overall design. Large lot side yards are a great opportunity to add diversity to the landscape.


If you’re spatially challenged, insist your designer consider these five potential opportunities for utilizing these long, narrow spaces.

Side yards vary in width from four feet to twenty feet or more depending on the homesite. Where there is at least six to ten feet in side yard width, there’s enough room to create a tiny oasis.

This space may support just a single lounge chair or a chaise, which makes an ideal for a single-person getaway.