How Can I Draw a Yard, Garden, or Outdoor Area?

Creating a beautiful yard, garden, or outdoor space in your RoomSketcher project makes your floor plans feel complete and realistic. You can add grass, patios, driveways, pools, and more to bring your floor plans to life.

Follow these steps to create your outdoor area in the RoomSketcher App:

• Step 1: Draw an Outdoor Zone
• Step 2: Add Additional Zones
• Step 3: Add Materials
• Step 4: Add Fences, Railings, or Hedges
• Step 5: Add Furniture and Accessories

Step 1: Draw an Outdoor Zone

The first step is to outline the area where your yard, garden, or patio will go.

Tip: Before you start drawing outdoor zones, it’s a good idea to paint the exterior of your building. It is quicker to paint all the exterior walls before you create outdoor zones. For detailed steps on how to paint the exterior of a building, see Paint and Decorate Walls.

Here's how to draw your outdoor zone

1. Open your project in the RoomSketcher App.
2. Click or tap the red Mode button and open Walls mode.
3. Click the Divider tool and draw the outline of your outdoor area.
   • Make sure your outline is completely enclosed — this is essential for adding grass, patios, and other outdoor materials in the next steps.
     
     

Step 2: Add Additional Zones

Once your main outdoor area is outlined, you can create extra zones for features like paths, patios, garden beds, or even a swimming pool.

Here’s how to add them

1. Stay in Walls mode, click the Divider tool, and draw additional zones. Remember to draw complete enclosed shapes.
   
   
   
   
2. Click the Select tool and select an area or zone to view its Properties on the right. If desired, you can type a name for the area, such as “Driveway” or “Yard” in Zone Name.
3. Click Advanced Properties and set Show Ceiling to OFF for each zone or area.
   
   

Step 3: Add Materials

Now it’s time to bring your outdoor zones to life by adding materials. You can choose from options like concrete, grass, soil, tiles, or even water for pools and ponds.

Here's how to add material

1. Click the red Mode button and switch to Materials mode.
2. Search for yard materials such as concrete, grass, gravel, soil, paving stone, or water. Then drag and drop it to your yard area. 
   
   
   
   
3. Repeat until you have added materials to each area or zone.
   
   
   
   
4. To see the results in 3D, take a snapshot or look at it in Live 3D.

Step 4: Add Fences, Railings, or Hedges

Add boundaries to your floor plan with features such as fences, railings, or hedges, helping to define and enhance your outdoor areas.

Here's how to add them

1. In Walls mode, use the Select tool and click a divider line (that you added when drawing your outside zones above) to select it.
2. On the right, click Railing. Click a fence or hedge to select it, then click Apply.
   
   
   
   
3. To see the results in 3D, take a snapshot or look at it in Live 3D.

Hedges are available for all Pro and Team customers. Don't have Pro or Team yet? You can directly upgrade from our RoomSketcher Pricing Page.

Step 5: Add Furniture and Accessories

Complete your outdoor floor plan by furnishing it with realistic details—everything from seating and décor to vehicles and play equipment.

Here’s how to add them

1. Switch to Furniture mode.
2. Open the Outdoor category or use the Search to find specific items.
   You’ll find cars, bicycles, lawn mowers, fences and garden gates, outdoor fireplaces, pools, pergolas, swing sets, and much more. 
3. Drag and drop your chosen furniture or accessories into your outdoor zones. 

Additional Tips

• Garage doors can be found in Windows, etc mode (alongside all other doors).
• To create a custom pool, draw a zone with the Divider tool, then in Materials mode, apply the material Water. Adjust the floor height to set the pool water below ground level. 
• With RoomSketcher Pro, you’ll unlock the full outdoor product library for even more options.

Example: Creating a Garden with Soil and Plants

You can create realistic garden beds by adding soil to a zone and then placing plants directly into it.

To add soil

1. In Materials mode, select a zone.
2. Click Floor Material and search for Soil.
3. Click on the soil to select it
4. Click Apply. The soil will now appear in the zone.
   
   

To add plants

1. Click the red Mode button and switch to Furniture mode.
2. Open the Plants & Accessories category or use the Search to find a plant, tree or flower.
3. Click an item to select it and click to place it in the garden bed.
   
   
   
   
4. When you place the item in the flower bed, its Properties appear on the right. Change the Height, Width, and Depth of the plant to make it larger or smaller
5. To add another plant, click the Add (+) tab.
6. To see your design in 3D, take a snapshot or look at it in Live 3D.

Want to Explore More Ideas and How-Tos?

For more inspiration and step-by-step guides, check out these helpful resources:

• Draw a Balcony or Deck with Optional Railing (with video!)
• Add a Garden Gate
• Create a 2D Site Plan
• Create a 3D Site Plan

And if you’d like to see ready-made examples, browse our Floor Plan Gallery – Backyards, Gardens and Site Plans. You can open any project in the RoomSketcher App, save a copy, and make it your own.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

New to RoomSketcher? Join one of our Webinars to learn the key features!