Backyard

See how carefully placed lines and curves add size and structure to a garden. Using S Curves S-curved lines are fluid and offer great scope for informal and naturalistic designs. They take the eye from one side of the garden to the other, amplifying the space and making small gardens appear larger. Using C Curves   C-curved lines are fluid and offer great scope for informal and naturalistic designs. They take the eye from one side of the garden to the other. Flowing lines also create a sense of momentum and movement. Snakes and Curves     This small town garden shows how a flowing S-curve can extend and trick the eye into thinking the space is larger than it is. A circular pool slots perfectly into the first curve, forming a pleasing coupling of line and shape. Snaking Path This flowing S-curved bed can extend the route through a yard, and trick the eye into thinking the space is larger than it is. This stone mulch bed wanders lazily through the lawn. Cross Shaped De...

Glam up your backyard with inspiration from these amazing landscaping and design ideas.   7 ways to design a sustainable garden Incorporate recycled materials and resource-minded practices for a stylish, earth-friendly retreat   Incorporating earth-friendly elements     In Bob Buchbinder and Lynn Pearson’s San Francisco backyard, gently curving paths link several stylish spaces—indoor, outdoor, and in between. Many of the materials are recycled; most of the plants need little in the way of care or even water. Design: James Pettigrew and Sean Stout, Organic Mechanics, San  Francisco. Rescued shed To some eyes, this weathered structure would have been a teardown. With new windows and wiring, though, it’s now a backyard getaway. Low-water plants Easy-care honey bush (Melianthus major) and a potted Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Saligna Aurea’) flank a small bench. Salvaged stone The 16-foot-diameter patio is made of granite remnants—mostly dumpster fi...