Transform Your Outdoor Space with These Creative Corner Garden Ideas
By Sarah Finazzo • May 8, 2023
When it comes to backyard landscaping, corners are often overlooked and neglected, leaving them as wasted and forgotten space. Over time, these neglected corners can become unsightly and detract from the overall beauty of your yard.
But with a little creativity and effort, these corners can be transformed into stunning garden spaces that not only enhance the visual appeal of your backyard but can also be used for relaxing, entertaining or gardening.
In this blog post, we will share with you some of the best backyard corner ideas that can help you take advantage of these unused areas, turning them from an eyesore to a standout feature of your outdoor space.
So, whether you're looking to add some greenery, create a cozy seating area, or simply enhance the aesthetic appeal of your yard, we've got you covered with some amazing corner garden ideas that are sure to inspire you.
Add Some Garden Art
Adding garden art to a corner of your backyard can transform a large or small corner garden. This could be a sculpture, simple garden waterfall or water feature, such as a small fountain or a birdbath, a buddha statue or something that adds an element of tranquility and natural beauty.
Jazz it Up with a Play Space
Creating a kid's play space in a backyard corner can provide a safe and fun area for children to play and explore, while also maximizing the use of yard. The play space can be designed to suit the age and interests of the children, whether it's a swing set, slide, climbing wall, sandbox - or a skate ramp like this Tilly design.
Unexpected Outdoor Seating Area
Adding a seating area, such as wood benches or Adirondack chairs, to a corner of your backyard can create a cozy and inviting space for relaxation, conversation, and enjoying the outdoors. It is an excellent way to make use of space that might otherwise go unused. In this busy Tilly yard, it provides the perfect spot to enjoy watching the sports game.
Dress Up with Your Favorite Style Garden
Pick the type of garden that will make you happiest! Whether it's a rain garden to help with drainage, a pollinator garden to attract wildlife, a shade garden to get rid of unsightly bare spots in your grass - adding a garden bed is an automatic facelift!
Sneak in a Fire Pit Area
Adding a fire pit to the corner yard can create a warm and inviting gathering place that's a bit removed from the business of the rest of your outdoor space. It can be paired with seating or dining areas to create a complete outdoor entertainment space.
Frame a Corner with Planters
Add potted plants and flower pots to your corner to create a dynamic garden. This can be just for the pop of color or for a more practical purpose like privacy from a neighbor, driveway, side yard or utility equipment.
Grow a Great Tree
Adding a beautiful tree to a garden corner can be a simple yet effective way to beautify the space and provide natural shade and privacy. Trees can be chosen for their aesthetic appeal, such as flowering trees that provide a burst of color during certain times of year, or for their practical benefits, such as evergreen trees that provide year-round foliage and privacy screening. They can also be chosen for their ability to attract wildlife, such as birds or butterflies.
When selecting your tree make sure to chose something that will adapt to your climate and lighting conditions!
Built in Seating Area
This can offer a comfortable and functional space for relaxation and entertaining. A seating area can be built into a deck or patio, creating a permanent and sturdy structure that can withstand the elements and provide years of use. It can also be customized to fit your style and needs, with options such as built-in benches, cushions, and storage space.
We also love the decorative panel in the other corner, which blocks off an unused area and provides visual interest.
Raised Garden Beds
If the sunlight conditions are right, raised garden beds can be a great corner garden design idea. If it's near a fence, it can alleviate some of the protection you'll need to install to keep critters away. Just be careful that the sunlight conditions are right -- and that it's not too far from your house so that it becomes a pain to harvest and visit.
Add a Shed
If you have room, a storage shed is always a great addition to a yard. A corner is a natural space to host it. Just remember to keep up the landscape, grass and area around the shed so that it doesn't become an eyesore. You can also have fun with the shed and plants, flowers around it, paint it a fun color!
Enjoy an ADU
ADUs, or accessory dwelling units, are a great idea if you are looking for more livable space. Whether you are adding a SheShed, office space, workout station or mother in law suite, a garden corner against a fence can be the perfect place to settle your new feature. Just make sure to follow your town codes in terms of set backs and any other requirements.
Try a Pergola
A pergola is a beautiful and versatile outdoor structure that can provide shade, privacy, and a place to grow climbing plants. You can customize the size to perfectly fit your garden corner. Use it as a place to relax, dine, or have a fire pit.
Soak in a Hot Tub
Add a hot tub or stock tank pool in the corner so it doesn't take up valuable lawn space. Just make sure you have a safe pathway to and from the pool/hot tub area.
Chose a Great Fence
Whether it's a white picket fence, bamboo fence, or a modern black horizontal fence - a fence can truly change the look of your yard. It can add privacy, but also style to your backyard space.
Have Fun on a Sports Court
Get creative with your yard! Perhaps you or your kids are into basketball, pickle ball, bocce ball - add a sports court to your yard and get a workout in at home.
Shhh! A Secret Garden
Create a secret garden in the corner of your yard. Select plants oil trees that can grow taller to create some privacy from the rest of your space. Make sure to add seating and a garden that will bloom at different times of the year so there are plants and flower to enjoy no matter the month. Have an easy exit and entrance into the space s it doesn't feel too closed off - and perhaps you can add a walkway. Add some lighting if you are looking for some nighttime drama or use in the colder months.
Are you ready to take your corner from an unused scrap of land to a customized space that's perfect for your needs! Whether you are looking to entertain, relax, or simply enjoy the beauty of nature, there are many ways to create a corner garden that is both beautiful and practical.
With a little creativity and some planning, your corner garden can become a standout feature of your outdoor space, providing a peaceful retreat and a source of pride for years to come.
About Tilly
Tilly’s easy online landscape design process has been embraced by homeowners across the country and in Canada. Tilly breaks our packages into the Front Yard, Backyard or your Full Yard. We match you with a professional landscape designer who is familiar with your region to help you create the perfect custom plan for your outdoor space.
To start our process you’ll fill out a questionnaire about your property that helps our design team understand your goals, needs and existing landscape. You can add 3d renders, lighting plans or side yards to your design package. You’ll then “meet” with your designer on a video call, show them your space and discuss your priorities.
Tilly also offers individual DIY projects, including a DIY Garden Bed. With DIY Spaces, you are matched with a landscape designer who will design a custom project for your yard. This will include a scaled drawing, lists of materials (which you can order directly through Tilly to install your project) and detailed installation instructions to help even a first time DIY’er tackle a yard project!
From Texas, Florida, Colorado to Illinois - we have a team for you! Ready to update your outdoor space?
Wherever you are in your yard journey, we can help.
Read more about: Landscape Design Tips, Gardening Tips
