Kylee here to share our backyard redesign with Yardzen. When we bought our new home, it came after months of searching in a tough market. We hoped to find everything on our wish list, but after many rejected offers we learned to prioritize. An established yard was one of the things we chose to compromise on when we finally found our charming cape-style house in Portland.
The Before
These photos were taken shortly after move-in. We had set our things down and added a simple flagstone path from the house to the detached garage. We were grateful to have a yard, but it was very much a blank slate with so many possibilities. It needed vision and planning rather than quick fixes.
I’m more confident designing interiors than outdoor spaces. Landscaping, plant selection, and what thrives in our climate felt overwhelming. I had a general idea—English cottage vibes with low maintenance—but no clear way to execute it. When the chance to work with Yardzen came up, we were thrilled to have experts help turn that idea into a thoughtful plan and realistic renderings.
What is Yardzen?
Yardzen is an online landscaping service that creates custom yard designs based on your style, climate, and budget. Their process produces design plans, plant and furniture lists, and construction-ready CAD documents tailored for your property.
How does Yardzen work?
I selected the Backyard package, though Yardzen offers several options for full-site designs, hardscaping, and exterior updates. The process began with a style quiz, budget details, inspiration images, and photos and videos of the yard from different angles. Yardzen provided initial designs, I gave feedback, and they produced final renderings and documentation. The deliverables included a detailed plant list, furniture suggestions, and CAD plans. They also connect you with a vetted Pro Network of licensed and insured landscape contractors in your area so you can get quotes and choose whether to DIY or hire professionals.
My Experience / The Result
I was skeptical about a virtual consultation producing accurate, meaningful renderings, but the result blew me away. It felt like my yard, only transformed. Seeing a clear vision for what the space could become—lush planting, structure, and cozy seating—was inspiring and reassuring.
Last fall we added a flagstone path from the patio to the garage to avoid muddy trips to the car. With Yardzen’s plan, I can now picture the whole area filled with flowers, including hydrangeas—the one plant I specifically requested. I asked for an English cottage garden aesthetic that’s slightly wild but not high-maintenance, and the renderings delivered a lush, relaxed look that won’t demand constant upkeep.
One side of the yard currently has a temporary fence to contain our dogs, but I’ve always wanted a white picket fence. The design shows that charming detail, and we’ve already received a few quotes. It’s something I hope to complete this year—possibly as a DIY project, though we might hire help for the bigger parts.
A major concern was the tall blue house behind us that dominates the view from our kitchen. Yardzen’s solution was to layer a lush planting screen and add a magnolia tree with a small bench beneath it—something pleasant to look at from the sink and a bit of privacy too.
They also addressed side-yard privacy with trees and a privacy wall, and included window boxes where they suit the house—yes, I plan to add them wherever possible.
One goal was a cozy outdoor retreat. The pergola combined with the privacy wall creates a feeling of an outdoor room on the patio—perfect for relaxing with a book or entertaining. I can easily imagine spending many summer afternoons out there.
So what’s next with our backyard plans?
After you receive your Yardzen designs and shopping lists, you can implement the work yourself or hire one of their recommended contractors. I appreciate that Yardzen connects you with local landscapers and contractors who understand the plans. We plan to complete the project in phases—tackling small planting tasks ourselves while hiring professionals for larger installations as budget allows. I’ve already started some of the planting and look forward to adding more over the coming months.
Final thoughts on our Yardzen Design
I’m very pleased with the renderings and how straightforward the process was. Yardzen offers several package options depending on your needs, and having a professionally crafted plan has given me confidence. Without it, I would likely approach the yard haphazardly and make costly mistakes. This plan gives me peace of mind that the finished space will feel cohesive and beautiful.
If you love cottage gardens, I’ve created a Pinterest board of inspiration and I’ll be sharing progress on my Instagram stories as we add plants over the summer.