Side Yard Remodel in Harris Ranch

In Boise’s Harris Ranch neighborhood, Hockema Landscape Design & Build was tasked with turning a narrow, overlooked side yard into a beautiful, functional outdoor space. Like many modern homes, the area between the house and the neighbor’s fence was underused. Mostly gravel, there was little reason to spend time there.

The homeowner wanted to change that. Hockema’s team designed a cozy, private retreat, transforming the tight corridor into a space perfect for relaxing or hosting a quiet evening outdoors. The new layout introduced paved seating areas and custom planting beds to make the space feel tranquil without feeling closed in.

Every element was chosen to complement the home’s architecture and flow, blending materials and plant selections that thrive in Harris Ranch’s climate. What was once an empty passageway now feels like a natural extension of the home, a quiet spot for morning coffee or evening conversation.

This project is a perfect example of how thoughtful design can turn any unused corner into a purposeful, beautiful outdoor living area.

Why side yards go unused

Side yards are usually an afterthought. They're narrow, often shaded by two houses, and they collect the things nobody wants to look at: air conditioning units, utility meters, trash bins and a strip of gravel. In newer neighborhoods like Harris Ranch, where homes sit close together, that strip can be a surprisingly large share of the lot. Turning it into usable space adds living area without adding square footage to the house.

Making a narrow space feel bigger

A long, thin space feels like a hallway if it's treated as one. Breaking it into a sequence of small areas, such as a seating spot, a planted pocket and a path between them, makes it feel like a series of rooms. Paving laid at an angle or in larger formats can make the space read wider, and layering plants by height softens the fence so the boundary seems farther away.

Drainage between houses

Side yards often carry water from two roofs. Downspouts, sprinkler runoff and snowmelt all end up there, so grading has to move water away from both foundations and out toward the street or back yard. Paved seating areas are sloped to drain, and the planting beds are designed so they don't trap water against the house.

Plants for a tight space

Sun in a side yard can swing from full shade to a few hours of hot afternoon light, so plant choice depends on the exact exposure. Compact shrubs, ornamental grasses and shade-tolerant perennials stay in scale without constant pruning, and plants that look good up close matter more in a small space than big, fast growers. See softscapes and planting.

Ideas for your side yard

A small paver seating area, a screen to hide equipment, a few low-voltage lights and the right planting can turn almost any side yard into a place you actually use. We build projects like this across Boise. Get in touch to talk about yours.