There’s a weird little space between our fence and the neighbour’s garage. Not quite wide enough for a garden swing, not narrow enough to ignore. For ages, we just pretended it didn’t exist. It held the bin. Sometimes a sun-bleached trike. Occasionally a rogue football that was never claimed.
But lately, we’ve been rethinking that space — that awkward, in-between bit — and I’ve started seeing it differently. What if that patchy, unloved corner could become our new favourite hangout?
If you’re living in a suburban house like we are, chances are you’ve got a side yard too — and maybe no idea what to do with it. Turns out, with a little creativity (and not a lot of money), that forgotten stretch of land can become the calmest corner of your whole home. Think: fairy lights, relaxed decks, low-key cottage vibes, and maybe even a sneaky fire pit for marshmallows after bedtime.
Below are 10 ideas that won’t drain your savings but will give your family a cozy, calming escape right outside the side door. Even if it’s just wide enough for a deck chair and a dream.
1. Could a Mini Deck Make Your Side Yard Feel Like a Real Escape?
A small deck is honestly one of the easiest ways to transform your side yard from “weird strip” to “outdoor nook.” You don’t need a full-on platform or pergola either — just a simple raised base made from budget decking boards or reclaimed pallets can create structure and calm.
Paint it a soft grey or whitewash it if you’re into that dreamy cottage style. Add two foldable chairs, a low table, and one potted plant you promise to keep alive. Boom: instant relaxation zone.
You can even line the outer edge with LED rope lights or DIY string lighting to make evenings feel a little bit special — like a Friday-night glass of wine after school chaos kind of special.
This works beautifully beside kitchens or living rooms with side doors. You’re technically still at home, but it feels far enough away to take a breath.
2. What If You Turned It Into a Cottage Garden Walkway?
Side yards love a little path. It gives them purpose. And a cottage-style gravel walkway with soft plant borders? That’s basically the suburban dream.
Use budget pea gravel or crushed stone, add a few stepping pavers if you like structure, and flank it with lavender, ornamental grass, or herbs like rosemary and sage. You can even tuck in a second-hand bench or a thrifted garden chair at the halfway mark for a “resting spot” (read: Instagram photo zone).
Add solar lanterns or tiny string lights along the fence, and suddenly your side yard feels like a secret garden stroll. The best part? It’s low-maintenance and smells amazing in summer.
3. Can a DIY Fire Pit Fit in a Narrow Side Space? Yep.
Don’t rule out a fire pit just because the space is tight. There are plenty of compact options you can build or buy that won’t take over the whole yard. Try a square stone pit with gravel base or a portable fire bowl on heat-safe decking.
Surround it with foldable camp chairs or a low bench made from reclaimed wood. Add a basket of wool throws and let the kids roast bananas (or whatever’s in the snack cupboard). It doesn’t have to be dramatic — just warm and welcoming.
Fire pits also double as string light central. Hang them above in a zig-zag or soft swoop using wall hooks and your fence line. It turns a side yard into a cosy little light show.
4. Could a Side Yard Be the Best Place for a Quiet Reading Spot?
This one’s for tired parents and introverted teens. If your side yard gets even a sliver of afternoon sun, you can turn it into a leafy little reading nook with just a few easy swaps.
Add a cheap outdoor rug, one weatherproof armchair or floor cushion, and some soft, flappy fabric draped from a tension rod or trellis. Maybe hang a few lanterns or fairy lights. Keep a crate of books nearby — or don’t, and let your kid bring their own manga stack.
The best part? It’s kind of hidden. So you can sneak out there with a mug of tea and no one will follow you. (Hopefully.)
5. What If You Hung String Lights and Left Everything Else Simple?
If you’re stuck and don’t want to overthink it, just add string lights. Seriously. You can get budget-friendly ones from most home stores or online, and they completely change the mood.
Run them between two wall hooks, tree branches, or fence panels. Add a few plant pots underneath and maybe a seat or two — a simple bistro set or a bench. Even if the floor is just bark mulch or paving, the lights make it feel intentional. Thoughtful. Calming.
It’s also super family-friendly. No sharp corners, nothing complicated, just a glow that says “yes, it’s totally fine to eat dinner out here even if it’s Tuesday.”
6. Could a Shared Veggie Patch Make the Side Yard Feel More Loved?
Side yards don’t get much action—but they’re often perfect for growing things. If you’ve got at least half a day of sun, try turning part of your side yard into a shared family veggie patch. Raised beds made from leftover timber or bricks can line one side of the fence, and you can plant low-maintenance things like cherry tomatoes, herbs, strawberries (if the birds don’t get them first), or salad greens.
Add a watering can hook, a basket for tools, and a little stepping stone path between beds. It makes the space useful and gives you a reason to pop out there every morning.
7. Can You Use It for Kid-Quiet Play—Without the Plastic Clutter?
Not every play area needs to be bright yellow and plastic. The side yard can be a soft, calm play space for toddlers or quiet-time teens with just a few tweaks. Lay bark mulch or turf underfoot for comfort, add a hammock or a hanging swing seat, and maybe some oversized floor cushions that can be stored in a waterproof bin.
You could even hang a chalkboard on the fence or set up a sensory bin table. This works wonders for neurodiverse kids too—giving them a calm space away from noise, with freedom to move at their own pace.
8. Could You Turn It Into a Low-Key Dining Lane with Garden Vibes?
Long, narrow tables were made for side yards. Whether you grab a cheap foldable one or build something from pallets, a slim dining area with cafe chairs or benches works beautifully down one side. Add climbing jasmine or honeysuckle on a trellis, hang solar fairy lights overhead, and lay an outdoor runner down the middle for soft charm.
If your kitchen opens out that way, it becomes the perfect zone for Sunday brunch or spontaneous dinners under the stars. You’ll never look at the side of your house the same way again.
9. What About a Sideyard Designed for Wind-Down Nights Only?
After the kids are in bed and the dishwasher’s finally done, sometimes all you want is a place to sit down with a drink and not be inside. This idea is built around soft light, comfy textures, and barely-there effort. Add a few floor lanterns or string up warm-white LED bulbs. Throw down an outdoor pouffe, a small coffee table or crate, and a big old blanket.
Keep a box outside with bug spray, citronella candles, and maybe a notebook if you’re that type. This kind of setup doesn’t need landscaping—it just needs a little intention and a plug-in light timer.
10. Can You Add a Water Feature Without Going Overboard?
Water instantly makes a space feel more calming, but you don’t need a koi pond or a fancy fountain. A budget-friendly side yard water idea could be as simple as a ceramic pot with a solar-powered bubbler, or a shallow trough that trickles when the tap’s turned on.
Place it against the wall, surround it with pebbles, and plant a few ornamental grasses for movement. Add a little bench nearby, and you’ve created a peaceful corner with that soft background sound that somehow makes everything feel slower—in the best way.
Final Thoughts
Side yards might not seem like much at first glance—just leftover space between fences, bins, and the neighbour’s window. But with a bit of thought (and let’s be real, a few YouTube tutorials), they can become one of the most charming, useful, and calming spots in the whole yard.
Whether you’re stringing up fairy lights for a family dinner, rinsing veggies from your side patch, or just collapsing on a pouffe under a tree, the key is to make the space feel personal and inviting. It doesn’t have to cost much. It just has to feel like yours.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not really about the gravel path or the solar fountain. It’s about finding a quiet little place in suburbia where you can breathe, smile, and maybe hide with a snack while the kids are busy drawing on the fence.