27 Backyard Landscaping Ideas in PA

Your backyard has potential. Maybe it's a blank slate of builder-grade grass. Maybe it's an overgrown mess you've been avoiding. Either way, you're here because you want ideas that actually make sense for a Pennsylvania property—not California dream yards with succulents and zero rainfall.

We've been landscaping backyards across Westmoreland County for years—Greensburg, Irwin, Murrysville, Jeannette, Latrobe, and everywhere in between. We've seen what works here: what survives our clay soil, what handles our freeze-thaw cycles, and what homeowners actually use (versus what looks good in a magazine and collects leaves).

This guide breaks down 27 backyard landscaping ideas by goal, budget, and effort level. Whether you're working with a quarter-acre borough lot or a sprawling 2-acre property in Hempfield Township, there's something here that'll click.

Ideas for Privacy (Block the Neighbors, Keep Your Peace)

1. Privacy Screen Planting (Arborvitae, Thuja, or Skip Laurel)

The fastest, most cost-effective way to block sight lines. Plant 5–6 foot evergreens along your property line, space them 4–6 feet apart, and you'll have a dense screen in 2–3 years. Green Giant Arborvitae grows fast (up to 3 feet per year), Thuja stays compact, and Skip Laurel is nearly bulletproof in Western PA.

Budget: $600–$1,500 for a 30-foot run | DIY-friendly

2. Cedar Privacy Fence

When you need privacy now, a 6-foot cedar fence is your answer. It's more expensive than plantings but delivers instant results. Western Red Cedar holds up well in PA weather without needing constant staining.

Budget: $25–$45 per linear foot installed | Hire a pro

3. Mixed Privacy Border (Layered Screening)

Instead of a single row of identical plants, layer different evergreens and deciduous shrubs at varying heights. Think Arborvitae in back, Inkberry Holly in the middle, and ornamental grasses or perennials up front. It looks more natural and provides year-round texture.

Budget: $1,200–$3,000 for a 40-foot section | Recommend professional design

Ideas for Entertaining and Outdoor Living

4. Flagstone Patio

Pennsylvania Bluestone or irregular flagstone patios are the gold standard for backyard entertaining spaces. They're durable, beautiful, and surprisingly low-maintenance. A 12' x 16' patio gives you room for a table, grill, and seating.

Budget: $2,500–$6,000 for 200 sq ft | Hire a pro

5. Paver Patio (Belgard, Techo-Bloc)

Interlocking pavers offer more design flexibility than flagstone—patterns, borders, multiple colors. They're also easier to repair if one cracks or settles. Great for modern or traditional styles.

Budget: $15–$25 per sq ft installed | Hire a pro

6. Fire Pit (In-Ground or Above-Ground)

Nothing extends your outdoor season like a fire pit. In-ground stone fire pits look custom and permanent. Above-ground metal or cast-stone units are easier to install and relocate. Either way, site it 15+ feet from structures and avoid placing it under overhanging trees.

Budget: $500 (DIY kit) to $3,500+ (custom stone) | DIY or pro depending on design

7. Outdoor Kitchen Station

Built-in grill, mini fridge, and stone countertop. This is the upgrade for homeowners who entertain weekly. Common in Murrysville and North Huntingdon where backyards have room to spread out.

Budget: $5,000–$15,000+ | Hire a pro

8. Pergola or Pavilion

A pergola adds vertical interest and provides partial shade (great for climbing vines like wisteria or clematis). A pavilion with a solid roof gives you full weather protection. Both anchor an outdoor living zone and make the space feel intentional.

Budget: $3,000–$8,000 (pergola), $8,000–$20,000+ (pavilion) | Hire a pro

Ideas for Kids and Play Zones

9. Mulched Play Area with Swing Set

Designate a corner of the yard for kid activity. Use playground mulch (not shredded hardwood—too much splinter risk) under the swing set, and border the area with landscape edging to keep mulch contained. Bonus: plant a few shade trees nearby for future coverage.

Budget: $300–$800 for mulch and borders | DIY-friendly

10. Sandbox with Lid

Simple, cheap, and kids love it. Use a lidded design to keep animals out. Site it where you can see it from the kitchen window.

Budget: $100–$300 | DIY

11. Turf Play Lawn (Overseed and Level It Right)

If your kids play soccer, tag, or just run around, invest in a thick, durable lawn. Overseed with a turf-type tall fescue blend, topdress to smooth out lumps, and aerate annually. A good play lawn can take a beating and bounce back.

Budget: $500–$1,500 for professional overseeding and leveling | Hire a pro

Ideas for Low-Maintenance Beauty

12. Native Perennial Garden

Plant once, enjoy for years. Native perennials like Black-Eyed Susan, Purple Coneflower, and Wild Bergamot attract pollinators, need zero fertilizer, and handle drought once established. Group them in drifts of 5–7 plants per species for impact.

Budget: $400–$1,200 for a 100 sq ft bed | DIY or pro

13. Mulch Beds with Evergreen Shrubs

Boxwood, Yew, and Inkberry Holly look good year-round and require minimal pruning. Mulch heavily (3–4 inches) to suppress weeds. This is the set-it-and-forget-it option.

Budget: $800–$2,000 for a 150 sq ft bed | Pro recommended for design

14. Gravel Pathways

Crushed gravel or pea gravel paths look clean, drain well, and cost a fraction of pavers. Edge with steel or stone to keep gravel in place. Great for connecting the patio to a garden shed or fire pit.

Budget: $300–$800 for a 30-foot path | DIY-friendly

15. Hardscape Borders and Edging

Clean edges make everything look intentional. Steel, aluminum, or stone edging keeps mulch in beds and grass out. It's a small detail that dramatically improves curb appeal.

Budget: $200–$600 for 100 linear feet | DIY or pro

Ideas for Functional Problem-Solving

16. French Drain for Wet Spots

If you have a soggy corner where water pools after rain, a French drain solves it permanently. Dig a trench, line with landscape fabric, fill with gravel and perforated pipe, and redirect water to a better outlet. No more mud pit.

Budget: $800–$2,500 depending on length | Hire a pro

17. Rain Garden (Bioswale)

Turn a low spot into a feature. Plant moisture-loving natives (Joe Pye Weed, Swamp Milkweed, Cardinal Flower) in a shallow depression that captures runoff. It filters water, looks intentional, and supports wildlife.

Budget: $500–$1,500 | Pro recommended for grading

18. Retaining Wall for Slopes

Sloped backyards are tough to mow and harder to use. A segmental block retaining wall creates usable terraces. You can add a patio on one level, a garden bed on another, and suddenly your slope is an asset.

Budget: $3,000–$10,000+ depending on height and length | Hire a pro

19. Shade Garden Under Mature Trees

Grass won't grow under dense tree canopies—stop fighting it. Plant shade-tolerant groundcovers (Pachysandra, Vinca, Hostas) and add mulch. Shade gardens require less water, less maintenance, and look better than patchy turf.

Budget: $400–$1,000 for a 100 sq ft area | DIY or pro

Ideas for Curb Appeal from the Back

20. Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting

Path lights, uplights on trees, and downlights on structures extend your enjoyment into the evening and make the yard feel intentional year-round. LED fixtures are energy-efficient and last 10+ years.

Budget: $1,200–$3,500 for a full system | Hire a pro

21. Seasonal Color Rotation (Annuals)

Swap out annuals twice a year—pansies and violas in spring, mums and ornamental kale in fall. It's low-commitment color that makes your yard feel alive.

Budget: $200–$600 per rotation | DIY or pro

22. Focal Point Tree (Japanese Maple, Redbud, Dogwood)

One well-placed ornamental tree becomes the anchor of your backyard. Japanese Maples offer red foliage and sculptural form. Eastern Redbud blooms pink in early spring. Flowering Dogwood is a PA native with year-round interest.

Budget: $200–$800 per tree installed | Pro recommended

Ideas for Gardeners and Hobbyists

23. Raised Vegetable Beds

If you want tomatoes, peppers, and greens, raised beds solve PA's clay soil problem. Build them 12–18 inches high with quality topsoil and compost. Site them where they get 6+ hours of sun.

Budget: $300–$800 for 3–4 beds | DIY-friendly

24. Pollinator Meadow (No-Mow Zone)

Dedicate a section of your yard to native wildflowers and grasses. Mow it once a year in late fall, and let it do its thing the rest of the time. Bees, butterflies, and birds will thank you.

Budget: $200–$600 for seed and prep | DIY

25. Greenhouse or Cold Frame

Extend your growing season by months. A small greenhouse or cold frame lets you start seedlings in March and grow greens into November.

Budget: $500–$3,000+ | DIY or pro

Ideas for Unique Backyard Character

26. Water Feature (Pondless Waterfall or Fountain)

The sound of running water changes the feel of a backyard completely. Pondless waterfalls recirculate water through a hidden reservoir—no maintenance pond to deal with. Bubbler fountains are even simpler.

Budget: $2,000–$6,000 for pondless waterfall | Hire a pro

27. Bocce Court or Putting Green

If you have the space and the interest, a backyard bocce court (crushed oyster shell surface) or synthetic putting green adds a hobby element. Not for everyone, but for the right homeowner, it's a game-changer.

Budget: $2,500–$8,000+ | Hire a pro

How to Prioritize: Start with Function, Then Beauty

Most backyards try to do too much at once and end up half-finished. Here's a better approach:

1. Fix drainage and grading first — Nothing else works if water pools or slopes wash out.
2. Define zones — Where do you want to sit? Where do kids play? Where's the dog run? Draw rough boundaries.
3. Install hardscape next — Patios, paths, retaining walls. These are your bones.
4. Add plants last — Once hardscape is in, you'll know exactly where to plant.
5. Phase the project — Do patio this spring, privacy screen next fall, lighting the year after. Phasing spreads cost and lets you live with each decision before committing to the next.

What Works Best in Westmoreland County?

After years of installing backyards across the area, here's what we see homeowners actually use and maintain:

Budget Reality Check

Let's be honest about what things cost in 2026 for a typical Westmoreland County residential install:

Those ranges assume professional installation. DIY can cut costs 30–50% if you have the time, tools, and back strength for it. But hardscape (patios, walls) almost always benefits from a pro—mistakes are expensive to fix.

The Bottom Line

Your backyard should work for your life. Not Instagram. Not the neighbors. You.

If you entertain, invest in the patio and fire pit. If you have young kids, prioritize the play zone. If you want to garden, start with raised beds and good soil. If you just want it to look clean without weekend maintenance, go heavy on evergreens and mulch.

The best backyard projects are the ones you actually use—and the ones that make you want to spend time outside instead of driving somewhere else to relax.