Holland Landing: Modern Backyard Design with 45-Degree Layout
- Junning Wang
- Jul 11, 2025
- 4 min read
backyard design Holland Landing, 45 degree patio layout, modern landscape design GTA, porcelain pavers, cedar hedge privacy, Horvath Landscapes Newmarket
Junning Wang
11. JULY. 2025
Horvath Landscapes Inc.
Seeing the Site, Seeing the Potential
Located just 10 minutes north of downtown Newmarket, this Holland Landing backyard seemed fairly typical at first. But as with many properties in the GTA, a closer walk through the site revealed layers of complexity—and opportunity.
The yard sloped gently from the house down toward the northeast corner. Two large evergreens sat firmly in the rear corners, their branches thick from the ground up, shaping the usable space around them. An older deck sat flush with the back door, but it intruded into the side walkway, narrowing a once-spacious 3-foot path down to just 2 feet. Near the center of the yard, we found something promising: a pocket of part sun—rare in this otherwise shaded landscape, and perfect for a functional hub.
All of these site details quickly shaped how we approached the design.
The Real Problems We Had to Solve
Before developing any concept, we always ask: what’s standing in the way of this space being great?
In this case, the answers were clear. The deck was blocking movement and crowding the side access. The yard felt exposed due to low chain-link fences and uneven grades, especially on the east side. And the elevation changes made it difficult to divide the yard into distinct, usable areas without creating awkward transitions.
Why a 45-Degree Layout Worked
Rather than impose a layout onto the yard, we let the natural movement guide us. The back door faces west, meaning anyone stepping out naturally walks on a diagonal toward the northeast.
That’s when the 45-degree idea clicked. By rotating the layout, we were able to:
Align the patio with the way people actually move through the space
Avoid the steeper southeast slope without flattening it
Turn leftover corners into interesting angled planting beds
We also removed the existing deck and replaced it with a clean set of steps and a small porch, bridging the height difference between house and yard. A 2% slope across the patio helped ease the grade transition while improving drainage. As a bonus, the side walkway gained its full width back, which made circulation feel much more open and intuitive.
Two large evergreen trees stand prominently at the rear corners of the yard. These trees are dense all the way to the ground, effectively screening and occupying the surrounding space. One of them is particularly full on the house-facing side, while the backside is more open, creating a bit of hidden negative space. Other plantings like shrubs and grasses exist throughout the yard but are more adaptable and not critical to preserve.
Functional Zones and Natural Movement
With the layout in place, the rest of the design fell naturally into zones. The patio, set in the sunniest part of the yard, became the anchor.
To the right—where the space was widest—we created a sitting area with a firepit and a modern aluminum pergola. To the left, we placed the dining and BBQ area, closer to the back door for everyday convenience. Between them, we left a wide, open corridor that gently leads toward the back of the yard.
That northern end of the garden, more shaded and tucked away, felt like the perfect spot for a quiet feature. We added a small sphere-shaped water feature that offers a soft ambient sound. The existing shed was relocated behind one of the evergreen trees, blending into the space while preserving a 3-foot walkway for access. It became a calm zone—not a major destination, but a meaningful part of the overall rhythm.
Materials That Feel Modern and Intentional
To match the layout’s clean geometry, we selected materials with crisp lines and lasting durability. Porcelain pavers were used across the patio, offering a sleek, modern look with low maintenance. Between the hot tub and the patio, we introduced a retaining wall Modan—which not only supports the grade change, but also acts as a step to connect the two areas naturally.
These hardscape elements gave the yard both structure and flow.
With this new foundation, we positioned a large patio at the center of the garden, aligned along the 45-degree layout. This space became the visual anchor of the backyard and happens to sit in one of the rare part-sun zones, allowing for greater flexibility in planting
It also helped frame the garden’s geometry, setting the tone for the rest of the space.
Planting That Balances Privacy and Calm
The homeowners expressed early concerns about privacy. With neighboring yards slightly lower and fencing offering little visual screening, we introduced red cedar hedging along the perimeter. It’s a classic choice: fast-growing, evergreen, and low-maintenance.
To frame the patio and guide the eye, we used a mix of structural and flowing plants: boxwood for evergreen definition, silver-leaf dogwood for light contrast, and flame grass for movement and softness.
One of the largest angled planting beds became a focal moment. There, we placed a Japanese Maple ‘Bloodgood’, Hydrangea ‘Incrediball’, Japanese golden grass, and vinca. This combination brought color, texture, and a grounded sense of calm—quietly inspired by Japanese garden sensibilities.
What’s Next?
Construction is set to begin in mid-July, and we expect the full build to be completed by August.
We’ll be back with another blog once the project is in the ground—sharing how it all came together, what changed along the way, and a few surprises we didn’t see coming.
If you’re in Newmarket or the North GTA and thinking about landscape design, interlock, or pool installation, we’d love to hear from you.Horvath Landscapes Inc. is here to help you turn your backyard into a space that’s functional, beautiful, and truly yours.
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