Having a larger backyard in the Albany, Saratoga, and Colonie area of Upstate NY might seem a bit overwhelming at first. Instead of seeing it as a challenge, however, look at it as an opportunity to turn your backyard into the space of your dreams. From water feature installations to new patios, planting trees to getting creative with landscape design, having a big backyard gives you seemingly endless options.

To help you navigate your large yard space, we’re giving you tips and ideas for how to landscape a big backyard and make the most of your design. Read on and be inspired!

Making a Landscape Design Plan for a Big Backyard

As with any backyard landscape design, one of the first stops when deciding how to landscape a large yard should be a landscape planner online. You can use a landscape planner to decide what types of backyard design plans and features you want in your masterpiece as well as come up with an estimated budget for your project.

Tips and Inspiration for How to Landscape a Big Backyard

“What do I do with all the space in my backyard?” We wouldn’t leave you without great ideas for how to landscape a big yard! Whether you’re wanting to find ways landscape design can transform your backyard into the prime gathering spot for friends and family or you’re wanting to just create a sanctuary you can enjoy by yourself, we’re serving up inspiration.

Some of our favorite ideas for how to landscape a big backyard are:

• Adding a unique backyard water feature
• Creating a usable patio installation for enjoying your space
• Getting creative with hardscaping designs
• Adding visual interest with larger installations like gazebos or pergolas
• Planting trees for shade, privacy, and additional landscaping opportunities

Unique Backyard Water Features to Fill the Space

First up in our tips and inspiration for how to landscape a big backyard is adding a unique backyard water feature installation that will wow friends, family, neighbors, and even yourself! Water features add value to your home and come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and designs. This means that you can choose a smaller water feature design to include as an accent piece or go all out with a large garden pond when deciding how to landscape a large yard.

The size and function of your installation will determine how to maintain a water feature after installation. Smaller accent water fountains or pondless waterfalls may require less upkeep whereas a full garden pond with fish will require a bit more care to sustain the ecosystem. Whichever you choose, keeping up water features isn’t overly difficult and the results are worth every bit of the effort.

Large Backyard Patio Ideas

A good size patio installation is one of the best ideas for how to landscape a big backyard, especially if you enjoy entertaining. Sure, landscaping is beautiful, but having a new patio installation lets you get out and enjoy the space! The options for outfitting your patio are endless. You can add a water fountain to give it a zen quality or maybe consider outdoor fire pit ideas as a cool gathering spot for nighttime bonfires.

When you’re installing a patio, you also have the opportunity to create different areas for people to use at any given time. You can have a central focal point for parties as well as smaller, more intimate sections, as well. Want to really go nuts? You could even add a whole outdoor kitchen to your patio installation to really bring the party outside!

Pro Tip: When choosing an outdoor fire pit, go for a smokeless model so you and your guests aren’t spending the whole evening dodging smoke and can just relax.

Creative Backyard Hardscape Designs

Even if you’ve added a patio when deciding how to landscape a big backyard, don’t forget the opportunities to get creative with other backyard hardscape designs, as well. If you’re coming up with landscape ideas for steep backyard hill challenges you might think about adding a beautiful stairway. Are you thinking about planting trees or building a gazebo further out into your backyard? You’ll want beautiful walkways to get to these landscape design elements so you can enjoy them.

There are loads of different types of hardscaping materials to choose from when thinking about how to landscape a big yard. Regardless of your style, you’re sure to find the perfect one that fits your aesthetic and gives you the look you’ve always wanted.

How to Landscape a Big Backyard to Add Visual Interest

When you’re deciding how to landscape a big backyard, you should consider ways to add visual interest to your space. Structures like gazebos and pergolas are not only beautiful but provide more ways to enjoy being outdoors. The shade they provide is perfect for hot summer days and their size helps bring your landscape design up, adding layers of visual interest to your yard.

Bonus Idea: If you’re looking for how to landscape a large yard with a steep hill, you can also consider other vertical landscape design elements like terraces or retaining walls to add lots of visual excitement to your space. 

Big Backyard Landscaping Ideas With Trees

Last up on our list of tips and inspiration for how to landscape a big backyard is planting trees! There are lots of positive reasons to add trees to your backyard landscaping. First, they’re great for the environment and can even help cut air conditioning costs for your home when properly placed.

The opportunities for landscaping around trees is another reason you should add some to your large backyard landscaping ideas. Whether you’re adding native grasses, colorful blooming flowers, or even landscaping with rocks or a natural feel (hint: combine all three for the best of everything!), the best trees to plant in Upstate NY contribute to the visual interest of your space and make it truly beautiful.

In addition to being good for the environment, cutting energy costs, and adding visual interest, planting trees in your big backyard can provide shade for additional seating areas as well as privacy from neighboring views!

We hope our guide on how to landscape a big backyard gave you a lot to consider. Having a large backyard in Albany, NY and surrounding areas like Saratoga and Colonie is an opportunity to create something truly spectacular. From water feature installations to the many advantages of planting trees in Upstate NY, your backyard has the potential to be amazing!

When you’re ready to start planning, head over to our Project Planner to get ideas and build an estimated budget for your backyard transformation. You can save the plans or submit them to us and one of our professional landscape designers will be in touch to get started.

For more tips and inspiration on how landscape design can transform your backyard, check out these additional resources:

• 8 Pond and Water Feature Construction Inspirations
• 7 Backyard Makeover Ideas to Transform Your Yard
• Backyard Flower Garden Ideas: How to Make a Backyard Flower Garden
• What Grass is Right For Upstate NY Lawns?