Get Jonathan’s Best-Ever Backyard Design Tips
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Do you ever look at your backyard and think there’s something that just feels… off? The backyard is a space that can often be difficult to design. There’s a lot to consider, from your local weather, to your must-have features, your functional items, your storage space, and so much more. And of course, it needs to look nice, too, just like any other room in the house! Luckily, Jonathan is here to share his best backyard design tips. Best of all, he’s illustrating his advice from his own backyard!
Whether you want to set up a fire pit area complete with chic, modern lounge furniture or a full-scale backyard kitchen, your outdoor space is personal to your needs and taste, and you can do just about anything you want with it. However, with all that possibility can come some indecision. Where do you start? And how do you know what you even want, let alone need? Jonathan is here to help you solve all these problems and more, so you can finally get to loving your outdoor living space. Watch his video above for a complete rundown of the tips and tricks he used for his own backyard design, and make sure to subscribe to our Drew & Jonathan YouTube channel for more handy home hacks. Now, let’s get into his best backyard design tips!
Create Zones
“One of the biggest mistakes people make in their yard is they try and have one space do all things, and you can’t do that,” Jonathan says. “You have to try and zone your yard. And even if you have a smaller yard, you can still have zones.” Think about what you need your backyard to do—the spaces you want to incorporate and how you want them to function—and write them all out so you can get a feel for how to lay out your zones.
Consider Your Environment
When building your landscape design, your actual landscape will help determine where you want to place certain outdoor furniture, gazebos, benches, kids’ playhouses, and more. Trees, property lines, and growing foliage should all be taken into consideration when planning your zones. For example, if you want to place a hot tub under a tree, you’ll also need to get a cover to keep leaves and debris from falling in the water. “These problems have solutions, and they can be worked around, but it’s best to consider those things when you’re originally designing your space,” Jonathan says.
Design Your Backyard Like Any Other Room
Mood boards, inspiration images, color palettes—your backyard redesign needs these too, just like any other room in the house! Likewise, consider designing your zones around one anchor element. For Jonathan’s lounge area, that was his fireplace. Once he was finished with its design, he started to pick out the furniture, accents, and colors that would complement the standout feature. That way, the statement and supporting pieces all work together and have one cohesive look.
Think Big in Small Spaces
Even in small yards, there are plenty of ways to get creative with your design and style. A small patio outfitted with an outdoor rug, chair, and pouf can become an oasis. A thoughtful bistro set can allow you to sip drinks or share a snack on those perfect weather days. “I love to cluster seating in areas to create a zone for lounging, and even maybe add an outdoor cocktail table. But I always do two chairs to one table,” Jonathan says. And remember, these tiny-but-mighty momets “might even become your favorite reading nook.”
Keep Maintenance in Mind
Maintenance is key in any space! When choosing the details, try to find solutions for problems before they arise. For example, if you’re considering using pavers for a walkway, Jonathan recommends laying a concrete base so the steps stay rock solid. Or “If you have furniture that’s going to be rocky on grass, maybe make sure you have something that’s compacted very well,” he says.
Upgrade Your Home Tech
There are so many home tech devices out there now for your backyard—and they could make your home maintenance a whole lot easier. Jonathan has a lawn robot (similar to a robot vacuum for your interiors) that cuts his lawn on a regular basis. Pretty neat! And these tech upgrades come at all different price points, too, from automatic bird feeders and solar path lights to hidden waterproof speakers and side tables with built-in refrigerators.
Incorporate Smart Storage
“Just like the inside of the house, every square inch of storage you get is worthwhile,” Jonathan says. “I like to separate stuff like paints, chemicals, anything for the maintenance of the home, and keep it separate from stuff like kids’ toys over by the pool.” And you don’t have to go for a storage shed. There are also storage benches, under-table space, storage shelves, and more.
Don’t Forget Lighting!
Your backyard lighting is of the utmost importance, especially if you plan to entertain, dine, read, or lounge there. “If it’s a space you’re going to use a lot, you want to make sure that you have beautiful yard lighting so that you can see the paths, you can see where you’re walking,” Jonathan says, “It doesn’t have to be something incredibly bright if it’s just for pathway lighting, but it needs to be something there for safety.”
Strategically Place Structures
Larger, more substantial furniture pieces can really help make your outdoor space feel complete. For Jonathan, that’s his gazebo. It’s outfitted with outdoor heaters, power to charge laptops or tablets if you’re working outside, and a gorgeous light fixture. With gazebos or pergolas, or even just a standout lounge area, these larger structures can really amplify your backyard design.
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Bree Pulver O'Hagan
Bree is the Senior Digital Editor at DrewandJonathan.com. In the past, she’s worked for publications focused on home improvement and sustainable living. Bree’s Pinterest board is filled with cozy textures; vintage patterns; sculptural furniture; and moody, warm-toned colors. She has a degree concentrated in the intersection of writing and architecture, which influences her passion for exploring creative solutions to unusual home layouts and stylish renter-friendly decor. She’s a self-proclaimed pro at finding the best antique furniture in the most unlikely of places (but her cat Blue can certainly back these claims).
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