We live in Southern California and are blessed with the perfect climate to fully take advantage of the outdoor living trend. Thinking of different ways to maximize this concept, I’ve become obsessed with the idea of creating side yard gardens. It all started by my desire to utilize every square inch of property to try to create a feeling of openness and privacy for my own modest home.
I started with making a list of everything I would like to achieve by using side yards. The list keeps growing, but here are the main points. I want ALL the rooms in my house to have an indoor/outdoor feel. I want interesting focal points that can be lit at night for dramatic views. I want to have more privacy. I want more useable outdoor spaces. I want to create a feeling of not being in LA while at home, etc., and I want to achieve it all in a very limited amount of space.
The house sits on an average-sized corner lot. Sure, I have a nice back yard and front garden, but…. On one side of my house I have a 6' high garden wall that is covered in ivy about 6' away from the house. I keep the shades down most of the time on that side of the house because of the sun and the wall isn’t quite high enough to feel completely private from the house next door. On the other side I have old plantings close to the house and about 9' sloped of grass, and it’s exposed.
The easy side will be the side that already has the wall. I need to add height and shade first, so I am planting a couple of tree-like shrubs close to the wall. I had many discussions with very patient staff at local nurseries to find a tree that could be planted in a confined space, be water-friendly, and would grow large enough, but not out of control. I decided on an African Sumac. It has a tall trunk that will still expose the view of the ivy wall and a full top of light filtering leaves that resemble a greener olive tree. Perfect - it will shade the house without making the rooms feel cave-like during the day. I am also going to add some low-growing filler plants, and up lighting. I may add some medallions to the wall or a wall fountain, but for now I’ll create interest and a more open feeling with the views of well-lit plantings.
The more difficult side has taken many revisions. 9' of exposed unused space down the length of the house and off of the dining room is just not right. My plan is to plant a hedge to outline an outdoor room, add a raised deck the same level as the interior floor and put sliding doors in place of the windows that exist now. A tall hedge creates the privacy I want and the addition of potted plants, lanterns, and a bench will give me an indoor/outdoor room.
Carving out little nooks and crannies of space from side yards to create secret gardens, capture useable outdoor space, or add visual interest can create a more open feeling to any room. What a difference it makes to walk into even the smallest of rooms and have a nice view.
And for those of us that can’t see the city lights or the ocean from every window, it’s time to create interesting views that can become added features to our homes.
Pegi Miller is a partner at Himes Miller Design in Los Angeles.
Ms. Miller's design projects and paintings have been featured at the New York Design Center and the Brunnier Gallery and Museum.
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