5 Rules to Live By If You Share an Outdoor Space, Pros Share

While you can decorate and enjoy a private backyard just the way you like—or at least within the confines of an HOA’s rules—the elements of a shared courtyard or patch of grass should consider the group rather than the individual homeowners.

“While some may not find this ideal, fostering a sense of community in these shared outdoor spaces can provide a sense of enjoyment,” says Joe Raboine, VP of Design at Oldcastle APG, parent company of Belgard

Here are some tips on how to make the most of communal space. 

Create Some Privacy With Shade Structures

Privacy in a shared space? Raboine says it’s possible by installing shade structures that create barriers in open areas like pergolas, which can often be customized.

“You also can add landscaping elements to create an element of privacy, such as taller shrubs or grasses,” he says. “This adds the benefit of having more plant life in your outdoor space.”

Build Community With Seating Areas

Elements that put the fun in function are key, says Raboine.

“Create comfortable seating areas, like built-in benches, that are both appealing for the property and can help foster connections between neighbors,” he explains. 

If it’s safe to add them, fire pits are a great way to enhance a central gathering space, Raboine adds. 

Install Security Measures

If you belong to an HOA, security features might already be taken care of for common areas. But if not, you and the neighbors might want to consider adding elements like extra lighting and security cameras. 

For one outdoor security project, Pat Ahern, CMO of Security Explorer, and his staff worked with a residential community whose shared courtyard had been avoided after dark for safety. They placed lighting near the seating areas and lined pathways with motion-sensor lights.

“It not only discouraged would-be troublemakers but also fostered a cozy, welcoming ambiance that prompted more residents to spend evenings in the area,” Ahern says.

The company also set up a system of shared security cameras, which he says allowed residents to feel more at ease in the shared space.

Make Room for Games and Activities

Backyard games are always more fun when there are more people around to play. Raboine suggests reserving a spot for a hardscape chess board, cornhole, or even a movie projector for watching movies out under the stars. 

Install Railings for Safety and Separation

Another good way of making shared space more usable is by creating zones that aren’t completely closed off. Raboine recommends installing railings that allow for separation with some openness.

“There are many options available today, from standard metal railing to cable railing that help areas feel less closed off,” he says, adding that railings are an additional safety measure.

Etiquette Tips for Outdoor Space

It’s one thing to design a communal outdoor space, but peacefully coexisting in it is another. 

Hilary Reiter Azzaretti’s townhouse in Park City, Utah has its own back patio that leads out to an unfenced grassy area shared with the neighbors.

“We and our neighbors like to enjoy meals back there, so there is definitely some overlap and sharing involved,” she says. Here are some of her best tips on making nice with the neighbors:

• Greetings don’t have to lead to conversation. By all means, be friendly, but don’t encroach on someone else’s downtime. “We always greet each other, but aren’t intrusive unless both parties seem to want to converse,” Azzaretti says.
• Make sure dogs get along. Azzaretti and her dog were involved in an ugly incident with a neighbor’s off-leash dog. In addition to owners obeying local leash laws, it will help to know that everyone’s fur babies get along before they all come out to play.
• Keep each other in the loop. When Azzaretti planned a 4th of July barbecue, she invited both next-door neighbors. “It’s another nice way to share the common space rather than hijacking it for our use,” she says.