Creating a beautiful outdoor space can be quite an enjoyable process, as long as it is properly planned. However, there are circumstances that can mess up your initial creative idea.
The most common issue is a lack of space — much like when you are arranging the interior, you can be quite troubled by a small backyard. Still, as long as you are willing to think outside of the box, you should be able to make your small yard seem larger.
Frankly, it all comes down to proper organization, as well as using the right materials. Also, you should remember that every part of your backyard has its own unique purpose.
This way, you will be creating a space-sensitive, multifunctional outdoor area.
If you are not sure about the basics of landscaping, then we suggest you take a look at the Ideas 4 Landscaping site. This is a great guide that offers tips and tricks on how to properly arrange your outdoor space. It also explains why certain materials and plants are better than others.
We take it that many of you are dealing with a small yard. This is the main reason why we have decided to help you with these small backyard landscaping ideas. Let’s dive right into it!
Effective Ways of Making Your Small Yard Big
As we have mentioned above, it all comes down to making the most of every square foot that your backyard offers. Also, choosing the right vegetation and aiming for an adequate point of view is crucial.
Getting the Most Out of Your Side Yard
One of the most common landscaping mistakes is ignoring a side yard. In most cases, people use this area as storage or for putting their trash bins there.
That square footage can be of great use, as long you are willing to get creative and incorporate your side yard into your small yard master plan. The most basic idea that works is putting a small coffee table and a couple of chairs to create a beautiful morning retreat.
The other option is to make your garden even more vivid by planting perennials and flowers around it. Also, a side yard seems to be just the perfect spot for growing herbs, such as basil, parsley, oregano, and mint.
Creating a Frame of View
As you probably know, there are a couple of architectural tricks that you can use to get the most out of your space. Your best bet is investing in an arbor, accompanied by a beautiful climbing garden.
Another great idea is that you hang a swing in the arbor/pergola. This will not only add to the appearance but also offer an excellent relaxation spot.
Leveling
If your backyard is set at the same level, chances are, it will look even smaller than it actually is. This is the main reason why you will want to invest extra effort into using different levels to create an illusion of extra space. How do you do this?
The best idea is to design a terrace. It will not only decorate your garden by adding to the unique appeal but also hand over more space for placing planted pots. Also, stairs work really well, as these are just perfect to be used for seating.
Lastly, if you are not a fan of elevating, then you can sink a feature a level below, for example, a fireplace. This will do great justice to your small backyard.
Creating an Outdoor Room
There are a number of creative features that you can add to your patio to create the illusion of a bigger backyard. The best solution for a spectacular outdoor room is adding a barbecue grill, square dining table, and even a small fountain. All of this will add to the overall aesthetics of your outdoor room.
Plant Trees
You are probably aware of the many benefits that come with planting vegetation in your garden. While perennials and shrubs work well, we are fond of trees.
However, many variations will take up a lot of your outdoor space, seemingly making the space-sensitive backyard even smaller. For this purpose, it is incredibly important to choose trees that grow tall but have a narrow base and a thin trunk.
Your other option is to go for dwarf/shrub-like trees, such as a Dwarf Alberta Spruce.
Don’t Put Up an Artificial Fence
One of the most common mistakes that people make related to space-saving is bordering their backyard with a metal fence. Yes, we understand that you have the need for privacy. However, it comes down to trusting your neighbors more than creating lengthy fences around your yard.
Instead, you can use diverse shrubs, perennials, and trees to make an intricate natural border that still doesn’t block the view of greenery in your yard.
Focus on Texture
As we mentioned above, a lot of it comes down to creating an appealing effect by planting diverse vegetation. Of course, aesthetics is not the only benefit you will be getting from these plants, but it can certainly act as a deal-maker.
By using different perennials, flowers, and shrubs, you will be able to mix different textures, ranging from pines to ornamental grass. This can spark more interest in your yard.
The Ideas 4 Landscaping website offers valuable tips that should help you add more depth to your yard.
Focus on Vertical Gardening
In the past few years, there have been numerous studies proving the benefits of vertical gardening, not only because you will need to use less soil, but also because of the fact that this creates an eye-pleasing spot.
This is probably the best method if you want to create a more vivid garden and add color without having to waste a lot of space in your yard. How do you do this? The best solution is to use baskets, as well as mountable pots. However, you should keep in mind that not every plant can be grown in this manner.
Vertical gardening is perfect for flowers, as well as strawberries and smaller shrubs.
Small Furniture
Considering the fact that you are already dealing with small spaces, adding bulky furniture is only going to add to the issue further. For this purpose, it is quite important to invest in smaller patio tables and chairs rather than big pieces.
With this in mind, you should also focus on sticking with white or bright-colored furniture, rather than darker colors. Once again, this creates a visual illusion by opening up space in your small yard.
Don’t forget that you should take your time to find the right furniture and invest in multi-functional pieces. This way, you will be decluttering the space and creating a portable and versatile patio area.
Adding Curves
Much like with the matter of leveling and adding texture to your yard, you should also do your best to create curves inside your yard. By adding swirling paths and curved lines, you will enjoy intricate dimensions.
It is a fact that a straight path often looks blunt, which is the main reason why you should avoid it, especially when it comes to space-sensitive outdoor areas.
Use the Garage for Storage
We already mentioned the issue of people using their side yard for storing their stuff away. This is not only wasting space but also potentially harming the environment. This is the main reason why you will want to put away all the trash bins and storage containers in your garage.
We are talking about things that would usually end up in your side yard. This also goes for unnecessary items, such as toys and equipment you are not currently using that usually sits in the center of your yard. By decluttering and putting away unnecessary items and equipment, you will create a clean and larger look.
Cut Sharp Borders/Lines
Lastly, you can get creative and try to make a seemingly nonexistent border between interior and exterior. Do this by adding large sliding glass doors that will blur the obvious border.
We already said that straight lines, as well as invasive bordering, will not do your small yard justice. This is the main reason why you should invest extra effort in this matter.
Innovative Ideas for a Small Yard
In the section above, we discussed the basics and some important tips on how to create an illusion of more space in your yard. We also mentioned a couple of innovative ideas that will allow you to achieve astonishing results with the yard that you have at hand.
Spanish Bungalow
There are a plethora of creative small yard ideas on the internet. Our personal favorite is the Spanish Bungalow with the combination of terra cotta-inspired details and an innovative ground cover. As you probably know, the most common ground cover for a yard is a lawn.
However, in this case, you will be using thyme, as well as other low-plants. These will allow you to achieve a more attractive look, which actually requires less maintenance. You should accompany this with stone pathways, as well as a small yet multi-functional patio that has terra cotta furniture surrounded by vivid pottery.
In a setup such as a Spanish Bungalow, it is highly recommended that you invest extra effort in planting diverse vegetation. This could be lavender, rosemary, ornamental grass, as well as dwarf strawberry trees.
Asian-Inspired Yard
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about Asian gardening? For us, it is an eco-friendly design. Apart from focusing on planting shrubs, perennials, and trees, one of the main highlights of this small yard landscape is stone-lining.
The focal point is some kind of small furniture or fire pit that can be accompanied by a glass dining table. Also, something that is great about this design option is a climbing garden.
Tiny Pool Retreat
If you are working in a space-sensitive area, it is incredibly important that you invest extra effort and time into creating a pool retreat in your backyard. You can do this by adding a variety of features, such as artificial turf, as well as a pool that is small yet attractive (fiberglass).
As mentioned above, fencing is not the best option when it comes to small yards. However, you can put out a small horizontal fence and get both privacy and open space. The best thing about this type of landscaping is that it requires close to no maintenance.
Vertical Backyard
The benefits of vertical gardening are immense because of the space you save and the fact that you will be creating an attractive appeal. The main concept behind a vertical backyard is that it offers a clean, neat, and symmetrical look.
Ideas 4 Landscaping is the perfect guide for this purpose. There are a variety of cool furniture and patio tips that will help you get a pretty yard space to look astonishing. There are a few features that you will want to focus on.
First, find lightweight furniture that is easily collapsible and made out of natural materials, such as wood. Also, while fencing is not recommended in most cases, for this purpose it can be quite useful because you can use that wall to mount a couple of vertical planting buckets and pots.
Also, much like with the Tiny Pool Retreat, artificial turf goes a long way with this design. It doesn’t require much maintenance, and it looks great. Lastly, a bluestone patio can fit this concept quite well.
Conclusion
Working with limited yard space can initially mess up your creative landscape idea. However, this is nothing you should be too stressed out about.
Much like when arranging the inside of your house, it all comes down to choosing the proper furniture. Also, it is crucial to make sure that you don’t limit the space with unnecessary components (large pieces, cluttering, etc.)
We did our best to help you with a couple of tips and ideas for small backyard landscaping. Now, it is your turn to go out and make us proud!