So your yard is so huge an airplane could safely land. You could host a pro football game. People mistake it for a sod farm.
Now what?
“In Southeast Idaho, people like a lot of land,” says Outback landscape designer Kirk Jeppesen. “There are lots that are one to five acres. No one wants five acres of grass, though.”
That’s a lot of grass.
It's time for some large backyard landscaping ideas, from softening hard edges with plants to creating a multi-purpose haven to installing a grove of trees that blend with the surrounding landscape.
Keep reading to learn more about landscaping for big backyards, including:
- Think Trees
- Create a multi-purpose haven
- Use plants to soften a big space
- Affordable landscaping for large spaces
- Put a pro on the job
Large Backyard Ideas: Think Trees
When it comes to large-area landscaping ideas, trees top the list.
“Trees go a long way in a landscape,” Rubert says. “They’ll grow to be large, and they make the biggest impact.
“With the right planning and placement, you can do a big change for less money,” she says. “Trees can be purchased in smaller sizes, so if time isn’t an issue I recommend reducing tree size to get more bang for your buck.”
Jeppesen uses trees like quaking aspen when landscaping for big backyards to help the yard feel like part of the natural surrounding landscape.
“If someone lives up by the mountains on a big lot, I would recommend it,” Jeppesen says. “There are probably already groves of aspens close by.
“By bringing aspen into their design, I’m just mimicking the native landscape they want to enjoy.”
He’ll also bring spruce trees, dogwoods, currants, and pines for an expansive landscape design.
“Soon, a large portion of their yard will look like the surrounding area.”
Large Backyard Ideas: Make a Multi-Purpose Haven
Rubert tells of a client who wanted a park-like feel in their expansive backyard.
“We did a bike path and lots of trees,” she says, “with a little patio seating area near the back of their property.”
But they also had amenities close at hand, near the house, she says. That’s key when you’re landscaping a big yard, she says.
“It's best to keep major entertaining areas like a fire pit, outdoor furniture, a hot tub or pizza oven near the house, or they won't be utilized,” Rubert says.
When homeowners request a wood-burning fire pit nestled near the back of their property, she suggests they also tuck a fire pit closer to the house.
“The farther away and more complicated it is to get to an amenity, the less it gets used,” she says. “We just want to make sure people will use their investment.”
Use Plants to Soften a Big Space
You want cozy and inviting, especially for your patio, an entertaining hotspot.
“A large yard can make that a challenge,” Jeppesen says. “A large patio can feel utilitarian. A fireplace standing alone is kind of an eye sore.”
His landscape design solution? Plants.
“If you add plants behind the fireplace or plants around the patio, it becomes more inviting,” he says. “With the right planting and softscape, a beautiful patio can also feel comfortable.
“Planting can also add to the feeling of luxury,” he says. “Designs help with the intention and feeling of the whole landscape.”
Affordable Landscaping for Large Spaces: Tidy Up
Every yard, no matter the size, looks better after a thorough clean-up.
“People are often frustrated with what they have, but after weeds are cleared out and everything is more or less straightened up or tidied, they like their space again,” Rubert says.
“Sometimes a face lift is all that’s needed, not an overhaul. I would lean that direction for anyone who wants to landscape on a budget. Enhance what you have, and potentially add a few new things.”
Put a Pro on the Job
Landscaping for big backyards is a daunting task for a homeowner to tackle.
“While there are certainly small DIY projects that homeowners can undertake, for more extensive and impactful landscape installations, working with a professional is often the best way to ensure the job is done right with lasting results,” Rubert says.
Professional landscape designers like Rubert and Jeppesen meet with homeowners to discuss everything from lifestyle to budget and create a design that maximizes any size yard.
Need Large Backyard Ideas? Trust Outback
“Any backyard has the potential to be transformed into something absolutely stunning,” Rubert says. “Money is a consideration for everyone, and everyone has a budget, but if the priority is to make something spectacular, that's where we can really shine.”
Outback Landscape is a full-service landscaping company offering residential landscape design in Boise and Idaho Falls.
We install beautiful, functional landscapes and stay with you for the long haul, taking care of your property through all four seasons.
We serve residential and commercial properties in Idaho Falls, Rexburg and Pocatello, Idaho, and Bonneville, Madison and Bannock counties. Call us at 208-656-3220 or fill out our contact form to schedule a no-obligation meeting with one of our team members. We can’t wait to hear from you.