Landscape Design
15 Ways to Carve Out a Secluded Outdoor Seating Area
Create a restful retreat with these ideas for adding privacy, enclosure and comfort
A secluded outdoor seating area can turn even an exposed part of a yard into a peaceful destination, offering a place to rest and reflect, alone or with others. Whether you build a structure, shape the landscape or use strategically placed plants, there are plenty of ways to create a sense of enclosure and privacy. Take a look at these designs for ideas to create a relaxing outdoor retreat.
2. Position Planters Strategically
Terraform designers encircled this seating area with powder-coated aluminum planters, leaving a small opening that makes the paved expanse feel more intimate. It’s a simple way to create a sense of enclosure in an exposed space, whether in a backyard or on a roof terrace.
The plantings are important. Four trees in the corner planters define and anchor the space, while white hydrangeas create a soft screen at the end.
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Terraform designers encircled this seating area with powder-coated aluminum planters, leaving a small opening that makes the paved expanse feel more intimate. It’s a simple way to create a sense of enclosure in an exposed space, whether in a backyard or on a roof terrace.
The plantings are important. Four trees in the corner planters define and anchor the space, while white hydrangeas create a soft screen at the end.
Find a landscape designer on Houzz
3. Build a Retaining Wall
Banking earth behind a low curved wall can be an effective way to carve out a distinct outdoor room.
This large yard in Cornwall, England, was mostly lawn with little definition, so Plantlife Landscape created a semicircular dry-stack stone wall that gradually rises from ground level to chair height — enough to make the seating area feel cocooned. A stepping-stone path through the grass adds a sense of discovery.
When plants grow near head height, choosing fragrant varieties such as lavender can enhance the sensory experience.
Banking earth behind a low curved wall can be an effective way to carve out a distinct outdoor room.
This large yard in Cornwall, England, was mostly lawn with little definition, so Plantlife Landscape created a semicircular dry-stack stone wall that gradually rises from ground level to chair height — enough to make the seating area feel cocooned. A stepping-stone path through the grass adds a sense of discovery.
When plants grow near head height, choosing fragrant varieties such as lavender can enhance the sensory experience.
4. Contain With Curves
In this seating area by Innovative Design Build in Atlanta, a sinuous wall nearly encloses the fire pit and chaise lounges. Keeping the wall low allows the surrounding trees to form a dense green backdrop, creating an intimate mood. The wall curves back on itself at either end, forming more planting beds for a lush entry.
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In this seating area by Innovative Design Build in Atlanta, a sinuous wall nearly encloses the fire pit and chaise lounges. Keeping the wall low allows the surrounding trees to form a dense green backdrop, creating an intimate mood. The wall curves back on itself at either end, forming more planting beds for a lush entry.
15 Outdoor Lighting Ideas That Set the Mood for Entertaining
5. Sink Seating
The pool and dining space occupy the same level at this Sonoma, California, home, but Holder Parlette Architecture + Landscapes took a different approach for the seating area, sinking it into the landscape. Live oaks surrounding the lowered patio create an immersive, leafy setting.
Built-in wood benches line three sides, offering plenty of seating, while a long fire table extends use into cooler seasons. Planters filled with grasses add a textured border and visually connect to the oaks and the landscape beyond.
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The pool and dining space occupy the same level at this Sonoma, California, home, but Holder Parlette Architecture + Landscapes took a different approach for the seating area, sinking it into the landscape. Live oaks surrounding the lowered patio create an immersive, leafy setting.
Built-in wood benches line three sides, offering plenty of seating, while a long fire table extends use into cooler seasons. Planters filled with grasses add a textured border and visually connect to the oaks and the landscape beyond.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
6. Build Into a Slope
Landart took advantage of this sloped Sydney yard by cutting a patio into the hillside, making the most of its ocean view.
The materials fit comfortably with the coastal setting. A circular Cor-Ten steel band surrounds hard-packed gravel, with stone boulders forming a low wall behind the patio. Rustic wood benches are sheltered by the hill, while a Cor-Ten steel fire bowl stands ready to add extra warmth.
Treads made of wooden railroad ties meander from the house to the patio and onward to the beach path, with velvety ground-cover plants highlighting the way.
Landart took advantage of this sloped Sydney yard by cutting a patio into the hillside, making the most of its ocean view.
The materials fit comfortably with the coastal setting. A circular Cor-Ten steel band surrounds hard-packed gravel, with stone boulders forming a low wall behind the patio. Rustic wood benches are sheltered by the hill, while a Cor-Ten steel fire bowl stands ready to add extra warmth.
Treads made of wooden railroad ties meander from the house to the patio and onward to the beach path, with velvety ground-cover plants highlighting the way.
7. Widen a Pathway
360° Landscape Design created this sloping yard overlooking the Regnitz River floodplain in Northern Bavaria, Germany, to blend naturally with its forest setting. Shade-loving plants spill down the hillside, and freeform stone paths meander through the greenery.
At the bottom, where the trees part to reveal a long view, the path widens into a patio for two lounge chairs — an idea that could work in smaller yards too. Moss planted between the pavers make the seating area feel as if it has always been there, while discreet pillar lights cast beams downward for a gentle glow after dark.
360° Landscape Design created this sloping yard overlooking the Regnitz River floodplain in Northern Bavaria, Germany, to blend naturally with its forest setting. Shade-loving plants spill down the hillside, and freeform stone paths meander through the greenery.
At the bottom, where the trees part to reveal a long view, the path widens into a patio for two lounge chairs — an idea that could work in smaller yards too. Moss planted between the pavers make the seating area feel as if it has always been there, while discreet pillar lights cast beams downward for a gentle glow after dark.
8. Cocoon With a Pergola
The top of this slope in a large rural Sussex, United Kingdom, yard seemed unusable until Sarah Mitchenall Interiors & Gardens designed a wooden platform surrounded by an oak pergola to create a cozy sanctuary.
Casual rustic seating is situated next to a simple steel fireplace that has room for log storage below. String lights add sparkle after dark. Climbing plants wind up the pergola supports and will eventually provide shade. In a smaller yard or when extra seclusion is desired, simple cotton drapes could be hung from the pergola frame.
The top of this slope in a large rural Sussex, United Kingdom, yard seemed unusable until Sarah Mitchenall Interiors & Gardens designed a wooden platform surrounded by an oak pergola to create a cozy sanctuary.
Casual rustic seating is situated next to a simple steel fireplace that has room for log storage below. String lights add sparkle after dark. Climbing plants wind up the pergola supports and will eventually provide shade. In a smaller yard or when extra seclusion is desired, simple cotton drapes could be hung from the pergola frame.
9. Create a Leafy Journey
The sense of discovering a secluded seating area is often part of the appeal. A winding path can start the journey, like the stepping stones that lead to this tucked-away spot in a San Francisco backyard by Sarah Ray Landscape Design.
Cobblestones laid in concentric circles define the seating area and draw the eye to the fire bowl, while classic Adirondack chairs face inward, inviting cozy conversations. A low wall hugs the circle and brings plantings up to eye level. At night, string lights add a twinkling glow.
10 Must-Have Landscape Features Pros Recommend
The sense of discovering a secluded seating area is often part of the appeal. A winding path can start the journey, like the stepping stones that lead to this tucked-away spot in a San Francisco backyard by Sarah Ray Landscape Design.
Cobblestones laid in concentric circles define the seating area and draw the eye to the fire bowl, while classic Adirondack chairs face inward, inviting cozy conversations. A low wall hugs the circle and brings plantings up to eye level. At night, string lights add a twinkling glow.
10 Must-Have Landscape Features Pros Recommend
10. Step Down a Level
A stepped retaining wall at this Pagosa Springs, Colorado, home by Reynolds Ash + Associates creates a secluded ledge for a couple of chairs tucked away from the main seating area and largely out of sight. Small spotlights illuminate the steps down to the ledge for safety.
Even in a more modest yard without a water feature, a retaining wall could incorporate a ledge large enough for a comfy chair or two to take in the surroundings.
A stepped retaining wall at this Pagosa Springs, Colorado, home by Reynolds Ash + Associates creates a secluded ledge for a couple of chairs tucked away from the main seating area and largely out of sight. Small spotlights illuminate the steps down to the ledge for safety.
Even in a more modest yard without a water feature, a retaining wall could incorporate a ledge large enough for a comfy chair or two to take in the surroundings.
11. Contrast Styles
Giving a seating area a different aesthetic from the rest of the property can create a special atmosphere. Hidden behind an architectural border outside this clean-lined contemporary home by Cravotta Interiors in Austin, Texas, is a little oasis with a wilder feel.
Rough brick paving and encroaching plants create a “secret garden” mood. Water spills from four columns onto pebbles, adding a soothing sound. As the plants climb the walls and black fence, they will further enclose the space.
The key to creating a different aesthetic is to link the styles. In this design, the black water columns and black plasterglass Amalfi chairs by Patrick Naggar echo the colors and contemporary lines of the main house.
Giving a seating area a different aesthetic from the rest of the property can create a special atmosphere. Hidden behind an architectural border outside this clean-lined contemporary home by Cravotta Interiors in Austin, Texas, is a little oasis with a wilder feel.
Rough brick paving and encroaching plants create a “secret garden” mood. Water spills from four columns onto pebbles, adding a soothing sound. As the plants climb the walls and black fence, they will further enclose the space.
The key to creating a different aesthetic is to link the styles. In this design, the black water columns and black plasterglass Amalfi chairs by Patrick Naggar echo the colors and contemporary lines of the main house.
12. Zone With a Shelter
Fusion Landscape Design transformed this Portland, Oregon, backyard from a scrappy lawn into a series of outdoor rooms — kitchen, dining and seating areas — for a young couple who wanted an outdoor retreat.
A wood-lined, pitched-roof shelter delineates the seating area from the other outdoor rooms and protects it from sun and rain. Upholstered chairs offer snug spots next to a Cor-Ten steel fireplace, while a large pendant light and recessed lights make evening entertaining easy.
Fusion Landscape Design transformed this Portland, Oregon, backyard from a scrappy lawn into a series of outdoor rooms — kitchen, dining and seating areas — for a young couple who wanted an outdoor retreat.
A wood-lined, pitched-roof shelter delineates the seating area from the other outdoor rooms and protects it from sun and rain. Upholstered chairs offer snug spots next to a Cor-Ten steel fireplace, while a large pendant light and recessed lights make evening entertaining easy.
13. Give It a Theme
In Out Harmony gave this spot beside a lap pool in Cannes, France, a Bali-inspired mood and a sense of escape using tropical plantings and resort-like furniture.
A bamboo screen and carved stone head, flanked by bird of paradise shrubs, anchor the space. Smooth pebbles border the wood deck to define the area, while large architectural plants cocoon the woven seats and provide dappled shade. A tree-root side table adds to the effect.
In Out Harmony gave this spot beside a lap pool in Cannes, France, a Bali-inspired mood and a sense of escape using tropical plantings and resort-like furniture.
A bamboo screen and carved stone head, flanked by bird of paradise shrubs, anchor the space. Smooth pebbles border the wood deck to define the area, while large architectural plants cocoon the woven seats and provide dappled shade. A tree-root side table adds to the effect.
14. Define With Chairs
In this Santa Barbara, California, backyard, Meridith Baer Home arranged chairs around a coffee table to create an intimate gathering spot.
A basket-weave brick patio topped with an outdoor rug defines the seating area, which sits slightly higher than the rest of the yard. Matching chairs and throw pillows help strengthen the sense of enclosure, while shrubs and trees form a leafy screen around the space.
In this Santa Barbara, California, backyard, Meridith Baer Home arranged chairs around a coffee table to create an intimate gathering spot.
A basket-weave brick patio topped with an outdoor rug defines the seating area, which sits slightly higher than the rest of the yard. Matching chairs and throw pillows help strengthen the sense of enclosure, while shrubs and trees form a leafy screen around the space.
15. Utilize an Unloved Spot
Natalia Avalos Interiors transformed an underused side yard in San Francisco into a cozy outdoor living area.
While the space also includes a dining table and outdoor kitchen (not shown), several features make this spot feel like it’s tucked away: comfy chairs and a side table gathered around a fire table, gravel underfoot instead of paving, surrounding plants and string lights overhead.
The side of the house, fence and tall trees reinforce the sense of seclusion.
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Natalia Avalos Interiors transformed an underused side yard in San Francisco into a cozy outdoor living area.
While the space also includes a dining table and outdoor kitchen (not shown), several features make this spot feel like it’s tucked away: comfy chairs and a side table gathered around a fire table, gravel underfoot instead of paving, surrounding plants and string lights overhead.
The side of the house, fence and tall trees reinforce the sense of seclusion.
More on Houzz
Read more landscape stories
Browse outdoor photos for ideas
Find a landscape contractor
Creating a secluded seating area in a yard doesn’t have to involve hardscaping. Cravotta Interiors carved out this quiet corner in a Clarksville, Texas, yard using only plants.
The key is to fully surround the space. Climbers, shrubs and trees combine with overhanging branches above and creeping plants between the pavers to envelop the seating area. The cool green-and-white palette adds to the soothing ambience.