Lawn Design Tips

Use these tips to make a statement with your lawn so it will be a key element of your landscape’s overall design.

Create a Center

Your backyard lawn doesn’t need to be a big dull space. Use it as a central access point to other landscape features. Here, a meandering swath of grass looks great on its own, but it also connects pathways that lead to a series of garden rooms. The result is charm — and an efficient use of yard space.

Put Your Lawn to Work

Make your lawn integral to unifying the various shapes and colors in your landscape. Here, healthy turf draws the eyes of passersby to the focal point of the flowerbeds. The lushly planted colors sing against the backdrop of green. So choose your style and let your lawn do the work for you.

A Formal Approach

This spectacular yard gains a measure of elegance from a well-tended panel of grass. The mostly symmetrical design lends a sense of formality that is in keeping with the traditionally styled house. Stone edging and paths set off the lawn in sharp relief and make mowing a snap.

Create a Frame

Just as a great frame can enhance the picture inside, the right edging can accentuate your lawn for a stunning display. Take a cue from this dazzler — a boxwood hedge planted in a zigzag fashion acts as a dramatic accent for a lush green lawn. Red coleus planted in the pockets of the hedge heightens the drama.

Draw the Eye

Use gentle curves in the edge of your lawn to direct the eye to particular features. Here, the sweep of edging on both sides of the lawn draws attention to the small grotto at the back of the yard. Well-placed curves can also draw attention away from less attractive views of neighboring homes on either side of a small plot.

The Family Approach

For a family with an active lifestyle, make sure your lawn provides plenty of room for romping and running around. This wide-open lawn proves that you can have flowers — and your grass, too. A broad expanse surrounded by informal arrangements of blooming plants leaves space for all sorts of outdoor activities.

Give It Some Shape

Do the unexpected by playing with different shapes around your lawn. Your eye will be pleasantly surprised by the change in pace. Here, a rectangular lawn contrasts with concrete spheres. Square stone pavers on the gravel leading up the lawn throw another shape into the mix, making the yard a hip piece of contemporary art.

Here’s a hint: The concrete spheres are simple to roll away when you mow and put back in place afterward to reduce the amount of trimming.

Go Graphic with Your Grass

Don’t be afraid to make your lawn an unexpected artistic element in your landscape: Play with shapes, use contrasts and complements, and add eye-catching textural elements. This square, edged by restrained plantings, replicates the shapes of the surrounding brick patio and pavers set in gravel. It also provides a transition between those areas and the flowerbeds, giving the landscape a tidy, yet accessible feel.