Welcome to the unsung hero of the domestic landscape: the side yard. Some of us close our eyes while rushing through that narrow space, merely to get from point A (the front yard) to point B (the backyard). It's often a dark, weedy spot squeezed between the garage and the fence. What's there to love?

But for many garden owners, space will always be at a premium. And instead of using the side yard to stash your recycling bin and garbage can out of sight, why not turn that slender location into a lush, quiet garden?

After all, many of us have not just one, but two side yards.

The secret to having a great side yard is to design and accessorize it much like you would decorate the upstairs hallway in your home. Those walls need art! That floor needs a carpet! Maybe there's even a little niche or a transition space that can accommodate a small piece of furniture. There's lots of potential down that long, narrow space. So stop cringing, and reimagine the side yard as a special place you can't wait to navigate.

Here are some ideas to inspire your skinny side garden design. Shirley Bovshow Masterfully executed by designer Shirley Bovshow, this once-ordinary side yard is now a verdant place where the homeowner can stroll with a morning mug of tea.

What makes this space special: The vine-clad arbor creates a welcoming doorway. The stepping stones are nicely spaced, so people can even walk here in bare feet. The Mediterranean plantings have a unified, green palette to soothe the eyes — and there's even fragrant lavender, to release its scent when ankles brush by. RDM Architecture According to the architect, this sun-dappled side garden was created to complement a new master bedroom addition. Yes, it's a side yard, but this space is also a private garden to be viewed from indoors. The leafy tree canopy adds a sense of intimacy. The curved stone path is edged by soft shade plants and annuals — proving that you really need only a few feet of space to make a garden. And the copper birdbath placed at the foot of a mature shade tree is an inspired addition. Even winged creatures will want to visit this side garden. Frank & Grossman Landscape Contractors, Inc. Straight, narrow and wedged between a retaining wall and the home, this side yard could easily feel claustrophobic. Instead, it gives the sensation of walking through a quiet, wooded bosk. When you plant trees in side yards, choose dwarf, columnar or slow-growing varieties that will be happy with the confined growing conditions.

In this walkway, a fluffy ground cover knits together the flagstones, and the overall effect suggests a beautifully patterned carpet. Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture Less is more in this utilitarian walk along the outside of a home clad in corrugated metal siding. The path is paved in easy-care decomposed granite, making it easy to navigate. The plantings are elevated to eye level, thanks to the low lumber retaining wall. Bamboo is a good choice because its roots are contained. Plus, it's an easy plant to maintain with hedge clippers. Stewart Land Designs Attractive and permeable, this gorgeous walkway is easily wide enough for two to traverse side by side. I like the care with which this path was designed and installed. It feels special, with the cut-stone edging doubling as a way to contain the planting beds on either side. The stone palette complements the brick house and creates an interesting circuit for anyone walking through this garden. Take note of the copper lighting, strategically placed to make this a safe place for anyone walking here after dark. Haddonstone Ltd Over the top, yes. But that's the fun thing about designing a side garden. You have the element of surprise in your favor. I doubt that many of us would think of placing two huge pedestal urns along a walkway, and then planting them with tropicals and palms that spill over the rim. The treatment works here, allowing the designer to feature plants that would otherwise obstruct the path if used at ground level. Instead, seasonal begonias and compact ground covers decorate the base of each urn. Shades Of Green Landscape Architecture Some people hang tapestries on their hallway walls. And some people line their side garden with a textural privacy screen that resembles a fabric tapestry. This narrow side garden has a lot going for it: 1. the gravel walk is contained with a slender metal edging on either side, 2. the bamboo is densely planted, but maintained like a hedge and 3. uplighting, subtle but effective, adds drama after dark. Amelia B. Lima & Associates If your narrow side garden is blah, here's a planted wall that will inspire you to rethink that ugly fence or concrete block wall. There are several products, such as Woolly Pockets, available for creating a pocket-style planting system. And once you find the right solution for your vertical space, you can instantly turn ordinary into extraordinary. Lush, tropical plants give this side garden a definite point of view. It's a showstopper!

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Turn a Wider Side Yard Into a Gorgeous Garden Room