Definition: What is a courtyard? A courtyard or courtyard-style patio has walls on at least three sides and provide seclusion and privacy, even if is positioned in the center of a house. Historically, some of the oldest patios are courtyards. Location-wise, a courtyard or courtyard patio is directly adjacent to the house. It can also be an intimate enclosure situated within a larger yard or garden. Some courtyards serve as an enclosed entryway to a house.
Courtyards provide several advantages, among them:
- A framework within which other types of landscape layouts can be developed
- Privacy and seclusion
- They create microclimates for various types of plants
- Walls and privacy or outdoor screens can be created with various types of plants or constructed of trellis-type or permanent building materials.
Courtyards have existed for centuries. They have been used to corral animals and protect crops, homes and their inhabitants. The walls of these outdoor rooms have been and continue to be used to support climbing, trailing and espaliered shrubs, trees and vines.
Also Known As: patio, outdoor room
Alternate Spellings: court yard
Common Misspellings: cortyard, coartyard
Examples:
Reese was able to find privacy and grow grape vines in the courtyard of her Los Angeles home.
