20 Long Narrow Backyard Landscaping Ideas
- By Joan
- May 11, 2022
- 7 Comments
20 Long Narrow Backyard Landscaping Ideas
My oldest son, Keith, and his family recently purchased a new home. They are super busy renovating the inside with hopes of moving in next month but they haven’t even begun to think about the exterior landscaping. The backyard is long and narrow and totally devoid of landscaping. An old brick patio next to the house needs to be uncovered and releveled and the rest is in serious need of some inspiration.
Just for the record, they did not ask my opinion and I sincerely doubt that they’ll use any of these ideas but that’s not stopping me from seeing what other folks have done with a long narrow backyard.
Click on any picture for the original source.
I know they’re looking to add a vegetable garden to their backyard, those planters on the left side of this yard would be perfect.
I love the brick work on this patio. Once they uncover their own bricks, they could lay them in this herringbone pattern with a circular edge and lots of flowers.
There is so much movement on this walkway you forget how long and narrow the yard actually is.
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That stone fence is gorgeous! Pretty sure that is not in the budget, but if you want to trade in your grass for shrubbery, this is one way to go.
The coloring of these trees really contrasts well with typical greenery. The privacy fence and the raised planters gives this backyard privacy and coziness.
A more simple design, a garden shed gives the backyard a focal point as well as a place to store all the garden supplies.
I like this backyard with zones for playing, eating and relaxing. Anybody have any idea what the teepee thing is?
Another play area, this one with a playhouse and a sandbox.
A more formal yard with matching gardens on either side of the lawn leading to a trellised seating area.
Is that a hot tub? That one is for me, pretty sure it’s not practical with 2 kids and a very big dog.
I’m including this beautiful hanging light because right now I’m storing their old ladder in my garage.
In my travels I found another old ladder with hanging pendants, you can find that one here.
Another winding path leading to a shaded area. Perfect for relaxing on a hot summer day.
More zones for play and dining.
This one is from a more mature yard with older trees, but you still may be able to pull an idea or two…the stone walkway, brick planters, privacy fence….
Now that’s what I call a vegetable garden! You notice the raised beds first but the privacy fence is beautiful as well as the flagstone walk, and what is that vertical rock in the back?
This is one of the most simplest of ideas. Just a big shade tree with dining underneath. Hey, they’d only have to wait 20 years for a tree to grow.
Just another idea for raised beds. I could see fresh herbs being grown here.
The dark mulch with the flagstone edging leads to a great playhouse or is that a she-shed?
The backyard for this townhouse is neat as a pin. It would be perfect for another raised garden vegetable bed. Not sure it would be as good for a couple of active kids.
Finally, if you click on this photo it will take you to a DIY site with 40 pergolas you can create. With their yard they might want some added shade.
Hopefully I’ve given you a few ideas for your own garden.
Until next time, stay inspired.
And for those of you who have a backyard on the smaller, more intimate size, I hope you enjoy these fantastic landscaping ideas.
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Really excellent stuff. I just finished a five-year makeover on my very very skinny long backyard on a strict shoestring policy. Used everything already on-site, a few half-off plants, and several city program trees. Built a bespoke pergola from 100-year-old wood that came from the untouched attic. Loads of raised beds and young fruit trees in. I saw that there were nurseries where mature huge trees can be bought and installed with a crane for those with the means to buy them, FYI. Time or money is in nearly every equation, right?!
Best of luck to your kids with their stunning and, believe me, ample yard!
Hello Shelley, I realize your post on scavengerchic is abit old now but still trying to find ideas – do u have a pic of your finished product— thank u so much – Patry
Some very nice yards. I once saw some narrow raised beds along the property line that had a slope down towards the yard. They were built in as part of the fence. I think the umbrella thing is a hanging chair.
Perfect! Loving having the planning done for us 😉
In this article, you asked “Anybody have any idea what the teepee thing is?” …well, it a hanging swing ! (Amazon has one vet similar called “Vivere Double Cacoon”. ) BTW-I adore that 3rd photo of the perfectly landscaped yard with winding walkway ending in an inviting Cafe table ! Thank you!
[…] conclusion, landscaping for narrow homes presents unique challenges, but with the right approach, it can also offer exciting […]
This is great – so many ideas!! Ive got a half acre property, doesn’t sound like much, but its a half acre long and half of it is terraced. I have a long narrow back patio along one side of the house, the yard is up a long narrow road, then switches back to a long narrow yard, up a slope next to the road. If you keep going on the road, instead of switching back, you down down a sloped path that widens out to a small meadow. Surrounding the meadow are little hills, slopes, then the whole thing winds down to the left where it switches back into the back yard. This area is more square shaped, there’s a shed and we’re going to put an above ground pool. then there is another long narrow yard on the other side of the house. That part is chainlink fenced in and we have a few cats back there. That yard is super hodge podge, cat style. The other yards have a lot of potential for winding paths, shade trees, places to eat, play.. Im inspired and excited. I just got a drop of mulch to start laying down to get control of the place. Lots to do!