One of the three elements of this side yard transformation. A custom masonry spa shell was built then the spa placed in it will result in hours of relaxation.

When this homeowner’s neighbor removed two, two- story-high Ficus trees, her side-yard became baron and sunbaked. Concrete covers virtually the whole area from the house to the property line, but because the side-yard has a lot of foot traffic and serves as a sitting area to the basement apartment, the owner did not want to remove any of the concrete. The solution was to put up fencing to block the view of the neighbor’s house, then upcycle wine barrels and 55-gallon drums into huge planters. The drums are large enough to accommodate a full-sized tree and provide the added advantage of giving height to smaller trees to provide further screening of the neighbor’s house. Everything was painted in bright colors to give the space a cheery Caribbean feel. The neighbor’s tree removal ended up as a blessing in disguise, because what had been a drab trough-way was transformed into a happy patio.

Gravel usually works well on a side yard. Here a firestick succulent adds some contrast.
Photo of a landscaping in Los Angeles.

This side yard shows the pre-renovation condition with decorative white rock ground cover, scattered planting, and a narrow concrete walkway. The space lacked cohesion, proper layout, and functional use, making it a strong candidate for a full landscape upgrade with artificial turf and structured planter design.

whitewash&co
Kids' room - transitional girl carpeted kids' room idea in Toronto with pink walls

Rustic Style Wall, Pillar & Steps using Techo-Bloc's Mini-Creta wall.
Mid-sized elegant backyard patio photo in Other

This project was completed in conjunction with the construction of the home. The home’s architect was looking for someone who could design and build a new driveway, front entrance, walkways, patio, fencing, and plantings. The gardens were designed for the homeowner who had a real appreciation for gardening and was looking for variety and colour. The plants are all perennials that are relatively low maintenance while offering a wide variety of colours, heights, shapes and textures. For the hardscape, we used a Mondrian slab interlock for the main features and added a natural stone border for architectural detail.

Example of a small trendy gender-neutral medium tone wood floor childrens' room design in Toronto with white walls

These natural stone stepping stones provide a connection from the front yard to the rear yard. The lighter natural stone provides a strong contrast to the crushed black granite C.Gilmore - Heritage Stoneworks

The Harmony Gardens Landscaping team has been fortunate to work with many homeowners in Barrhaven who are eager to put special touches on their property. More often than not, this involves enhancing the front yard and side access area. Curb appeal is essential, so we work hard to design spaces that are more visually appealing, while also paying close attention to promoting harmony in the eco-system. As you will see from the progression of photos, this home now has a very welcoming front yard and side yard. Need help making your property more welcoming? Ask our team for a personal consultation!

Landscape design and photography by Melanie Rekola
Design ideas for a small full sun side yard gravel vegetable garden landscape in Toronto.

This side yard shows the early stage condition prior to renovation, with exposed soil, scattered rock ground cover, and an unstructured layout. The area lacked proper grading, plant organization, and usable space, making it ideal for a full landscape redesign including turf installation and modern planter integration.

This kitchen, located in the addition was a massive improvement on allocation of space of the previous kitchen. Relocating it to the other side of the home allowed for a more central hall and an improved relationship with the dining room viewed beyond. It is also open to the new family room as a great room, perfect for interacting with family and a well lit view to the rear yard to watch the kids play during meal prep time. This new kitchen is the hub of the home!

This side of the boy's bedroom is for reading and relaxing. Their books are stored on a custom-made open shelving unit adorned with fun geometric shapes. A tree motif is an unconventional way for extra storage while having an asthetically appealing look. The morphed built-in sofa has a fun swirl asthetic perfect for lounging under the afternoon sun. The materials used keep with the gray and white theme present in the room.

This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

This Torrance side yard redesign features a clean concrete walkway set within decorative gravel, creating a modern, low-maintenance outdoor passage. Designed for Southern California living, the layout improves drainage, accessibility, and visual flow while delivering a durable, zero-maintenance solution that complements the home’s exterior.

Using your side yard as a basketball court is a brilliant way to use space well in your backyard.
Photo of a traditional side yard outdoor basketball/tennis/multi-game court in Salt Lake City.

This side yard shows the original condition prior to renovation, featuring decorative rock ground cover, uneven planting areas, and a narrow concrete pathway. The layout lacked functionality, cohesive design, and usable space, highlighting the need for a modern, low-maintenance landscaping upgrade.

Don't let your side yard be the eyesore, add shrubs to cover AC units and other equipment.
Design ideas for a traditional privacy side yard landscaping in Salt Lake City.