This is an example of a large traditional partial sun side yard concrete paver garden path in San Francisco.

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.

2 STORY SIDE ADDITION
Exterior home photo in New York

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.

Trendy open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in DC Metro with a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace

This is an example of a side yard garden path in San Diego.

Design ideas for a side yard landscaping in San Diego.

a dual-sided fireplace at the sloping ceiling of the great room creates a focal point at the new, open floor plan with concrete flooring
Example of a large minimalist formal and open concept concrete floor living room design in Orange County with white walls, a two-sided fireplace, a plaster fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Master bedroom with two-sided fire place and Moroccan doors.
Mid-sized trendy master light wood floor and beige floor bedroom photo in Denver with beige walls, a two-sided fireplace and a stone fireplace

Pamela Crawford designed this side yard for a client who loves garden color, particularly from leaves. Check out over 500 images of Palm Beach County landscapes at pamela-crawford.com. Pamela designs landscapes, container gardens, and outdoor living areas throughout Palm Beach County, FL, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, the town of Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Wellington. She provides beautiful, custom designs that include professional installation of beautiful plant material, planters, and outdoor furniture and accessories.

Landscaped the side of a home.
Photo of a large mediterranean partial sun side yard concrete paver landscaping in San Francisco for summer.

This new construction home has a 2 sided fireplace that separates the sunporch from the dining room. We added a custom built in china cabinet and dining room furniture that will go with the neutral wall palette.

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

The great room features a four-sided 27 foot tall granite fireplace. Photographer: Ethan Rohloff
Large arts and crafts formal and open concept medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room photo in Other with beige walls, a two-sided fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Peter Vanderwarker
Great room - mid-sized 1960s light wood floor and brown floor great room idea in Boston with white walls and a two-sided fireplace

Eloquence transformation of your bedroom with this Louis XVI King Upholstered Headboard, hand carved in Beech wood with Oyster Grey finish and Cream Cotton Canvas upholstery. Shown here with Bella Notte Linens.

Modern rustic timber framed sunroom with tons of doors and windows that open to a view of the secluded property. Beautiful vaulted ceiling with exposed wood beams and paneled ceiling. Heated floors. Two sided stone/woodburning fireplace with a two story chimney and raised hearth. Exposed timbers create a rustic feel. General Contracting by Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc.; James S. Bates, Architect; Interior Design by InDesign; Photography by Marie Martin Kinney.

We wanted to create a serene and authentic Japanese-inspired patio and side yard space where Zen philosophy comes to life. With careful arrangement of rocks to evoke balance and contemplation, and an artfully crafted A/C screen for privacy without compromising aesthetics, we ensured a harmonious design. By incorporating native plants, we honored the natural beauty of the region. With minimalist aesthetics and the use of natural materials, this tranquil space serves as a sanctuary for reflection and rejuvenation.

The Lucius 140-2/3 is a stunning, frameless peninsula fireplace with a full view on one side and a 2/3 partial view on the opposite side
Example of a small trendy enclosed living room design in New York with a two-sided fireplace and white walls