This Simple Trick Makes a Big Yard Feel So Much More Usable

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A few weeks ago, I visited a friend who had just undertaken a backyard renovation. When I had seen it previously, it was a mostly ignored space with random plants and landscaping. I remember thinking that it was a waste, as it was a large space with so much potential. However, when I saw it recently, I was amazed to see the transformation. It was a beautiful oasis with separate areas, arresting flowers, decor pieces, and plenty of sitting spaces. When I asked her how she was able to transform the space, she said that it was with the help of professionals.

So if you’re in the same boat and are feeling overwhelmed with your large yard, read on. To help you out, I consulted with landscape design and floral experts to discover simple ways to make a large outdoor space feel more manageable. Here’s what they had to say.

If you have an expansive yard, you should first step map out separate zones. The experts I spoke with say that once your large outdoor area has been divided into smaller zones, it will be much easier to decorate and furnish.

“The number one thing I always start with when designing an outdoor space is breaking it into distinct zones. As soon as you define smaller ‘rooms’ within your yard, the whole space starts to make sense,” notes Gabrielle Bourne, home renovating expert. “In my own outdoor space, I have five separate zones: an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit area, a large dining table, a sectional lounge area, and a dedicated play area for the kids.”

The pros also advise using the ‘thriller, filler, and spiller’ gardening method to layer the space and create distinct focal points. Thrillers are plants that bring in texture, while fillers occupy the middle space. Finally, spillers are plants that drape over the edge of the pot to soften the look.

“Thrillers, like zinnia and salvia, add height and draw the eye, fillers, like cosmos and basil, create fullness, spillers, like petunia and Black-Eyed Susan, soften the edges by cascading over the container,” says Rebecca Sears, CMO and resident green thumb at Ferry-Morse. “These layered arrangements naturally anchor different areas of your yard, making a larger space feel more cohesive and intentionally designed!”

According to the experts, when picking your outdoor furniture pieces, think about when and how you are going to use the area the most.

“What time of day do you see yourself spending the most time out there? If in the morning, think about where you’ll want to have your morning coffee or tea,” remarks Jarema Osofsky, founder of landscape design studio Dirt Queen NYC. “If you envision grilling and hosting dinner parties, you would need a large outdoor dining set and carve out a convenient area for your grill and your grilling ‘station.’” Osofsky also points out the importance of creating shade. “This could be in the form of a pergola, an umbrella, or a sun sail,” she says.

Lastly, pros like big, eye-catching accent pieces rather than small ones to create order and not clutter.

“I definitely recommend anchoring a space with a few bold, big accents,” says Loretta Allison, organic garden consultant and edible gardener. She shares examples like decorative raised beds, really big pots for your plants, a gazebo, and “a gorgeous specimen tree.” Allison also likes adding visual interest all around. “Tall welded trellises can create verticality in the landscape and provide structure and a grand scale. A fountain can be purchased or made from an oversize pot for some instant drama.”