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The secret to success with a triangular yard is to embrace the shape and accentuate the sharp angles to create a singular and even dramatic look. Triangle outdoor spaces are uncommon, meaning this is an extra special experience that few homeowners get to enjoy. We can help you seize this opportunity. Browse our style guide to learn how to maximize your triangular yard or space’s design potential.
Step 1: Measuring Your Triangular Space
Measure your triangular space to get an idea of how much square footage you’re working with. Doing this before anything else will create a solid foundation to build your dreams on.
Find the Area of a Triangle
It’s time to grab your tape measure and brush up on high school geometry. Follow these three steps to find the square footage of your triangular outdoor space:
Step 1: Measure the triangle's longest side to find the length.
Step 2: Measure from the longest side to the opposite point to find the width.
Step 3: Multiply your length and width, then divide the product by two.
Let’s put this into practice. If your triangular deck’s longest side measures 40 feet and the width is 35 feet, here’s your formula:
If you want to get extra detailed with your dimensions, browse our thorough guide on how to measure your outdoor space. It offers step-by-step instructions for finding the dimensions of your property and all the elements within—a great tool to have on hand.
Step 2: Deciding The Area’s Purpose
Now that you have a scope of your triangle yard’s square footage, it’s time to decide how the area will be used. Make this decision based on a few factors:
Lifestyle
Think about what your family loves to do outside and design your triangular spacing around their interests.
HOA Rules
If you’re hoping to build a swimming pool or gazebo in your space, check with your HOA first (if you belong to one). Browse the covenant’s rules and restrictions to see what you can and can’t add to the space.
Existing Architecture
Keep the space’s composition and your home’s exterior style when pondering utility possibilities.
Available Space
Stairs, entrances, and other permanent structures may occupy parts of your property, so you’ll have to plan around them.
Step 3: Defining Zones
If your triangular space is large enough, divide it into multiple zones your family can use for different occasions. The trick is not to think of your space as a triangle. Instead, plan two to three zones—either circles or squares—and fit them inside your triangle.
Use privacy screens, outdoor rugs, or the backs of furniture to create walking paths between the zones. Plan each route to be about three feet wide for easy movement.
PRO TIP:
Map out your zones on graph paper to ensure these zones will give you enough room to move about the triangular space.
Step 4: Landscaping & Hardscaping a Triangular Yard
With your zones in place, this leaves the corners and edges open for landscaping or decorative opportunities. Here’s our garden design advice:
- Use planters and fences to cover corners and create a sense of balance in your yard, patio, or deck.
- For visual interest, draw attention to the farthest tip of your triangular shape with a rounded focal point, such as a fountain encircled with curved paver stones.
- Play with planter height to distribute visual weight. Taller pots and boxes with lofty leafage draw the eye up and make the space look larger.
- Soften the angles of a triangle front yard by bordering the edges with curvy scrollwork fencing or fluffy hydrangea bushes.
- Build an entrance at the narrowest point of your triangular setting so the space opens up to guests when they walk in, and they get an impressive view from the very start.
Step 5: Picking Suitable Furniture & Decor
The type of outdoor furniture you choose will depend on the triangular space’s shape and size. Here are our furniture suggestions for different triangle-shaped settings:
Symmetrical Triangle Outdoor Spaces
Celebrate balance in different triangle outdoor spaces with these symmetrical style suggestions.
Right triangle: For those who want a hint of symmetry, divide a triangle space in half and make one part a dining area and the other a lounge spot for after-dinner drinks. Sharp-angled furniture will complement the 90-degree corner, so go for a rectangular dining set and clean-cut deep seating sectional.
Outdoor rooms shaped like equilateral triangles deserve a centered focal point. Place a modern fire pit table set in the center where family can gather and enjoy s’mores and stories while relaxing in the sleek yet contoured Adirondacks.
Isosceles triangle: Create balance and encourage conversation in an isosceles-shaped space by styling benches along your space's lengthy, identical edges. If you plan to add accent tables and outdoor decor, we recommend styling everything in pairs to duplicate the symmetry.
Asymmetrical Triangle Outdoor Spaces
Asymmetrical triangle rooms give you creative freedom with styling.
Acute triangle: None of the angles are the same in an acute triangle, so follow suit with furniture and decor, but let color be the connecting thread among your furnishings. Achieve this with a curated set that features different pieces that all pull from the same color palette. You could even suspend a three-sided shade sail above the assemblage—another triangular shape for added visual interest.
Scalene triangle: Long, narrow triangular front porches benefit from a line of Adirondacks. Depending on how slim the space is, keep the Adirondack rockers near the widest part so family has walking and rocking room, with their upright cousins situated near the slimmer side. Positioning side tables between them gives everyone the perfect perch for cold drinks and tasty snacks.
Obtuse triangle: Use your furniture to turn the atypical space into a right triangle—an L-shaped sectional is a great way to accomplish this. Just have one side of the sectional against the longest wall, with the perpendicular end turned out into the room like a peninsula. The seats’ connected backrests give the illusion of a 90-degree angle. Style outdoor floor lamps or tall potted monsteras in the open area behind the sectional and an outdoor rug and coffee table in front so no space is wasted.
FAQs
How do you style a triangle garden?
Here are our suggestions for styling a triangle garden:
- Decorate with similar shapes: Triangle pavers, butterfly bushes, and arborvitae are all great ways to enhance triangle spacing.
- Build your own triangular shapes: Design three-sided raised beds to bring this style to any outdoor garden.
- Install a three-dimensional rock garden: Purchase cut stones in shapes and sizes of your choosing to build a low-maintenance yet stylish garden that stands out (and up).
How do you style a triangle patio?
Offset the sharp points of your triangular patio with rounded furniture and decor. If it’s an alfresco setting, try a circular dining set in the center atop a round area rug. If it’s your family’s relaxation area, place curved Adirondack sets in the corners with umbrellas between them for shade and added style.
How do you landscape a triangular area?
Place trellises in the corners so climbing plants can wind up to get plenty of sunlight. Shorter flowers can go in front of those, and make sure to install stepping stones that lead to those areas so you can easily access them when it’s time for weeding and watering.