10 Landscape Design Ideas for Small Backyards

Transform Your Not-So-Big Backyard into an Attractive, Charming, and Comfortable Place

 

 

It’s everything you’ve imagined your dream home would be – well, except for the little backyard. But as they say, don’t sweat the small stuff. Get your imagination and creativity going – and take on an exciting “do-it-yourself” project to turn your small backyard into a comfortable and captivating spot. 

 

 

 

1.  Clean and Uncluttered Go a Long Way

 

Follow the basic rule of a well-maintained and healthy-looking yard. Mow the grass regularly, weed out wild flowers, and get rid of the debris around the space. Don’t overwhelm the yard with too many plants and flowers – less gives an illusion of a bigger space. So be selective in your plantings, and take care of the plants and flowers in the yard. See to it that they are well tended, get enough water and sun, and are trimmed properly.

 

 

 

 

2.  Create a Highlight Point

 

A fire pit, a water feature, perhaps a fountain or a rock garden provides an eye-catching diversion from the small yard and captures the attention of visitors right away. 

 

 

 

 

3.  Color It Bright

 

Whether you choose shrubs and flowers at the entry way to the backyard or something else like cushions and pillow on the deck or patio furniture, adding a splash of color emphasizes the vibrancy of the space – and not its size. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.  Light It Up

 

Spruce up the backyard with some creative lighting fixtures for your spring and summer night entertaining. Positioned at different levels, lights make a small space look bigger. In addition to a fire pit, there are string lights, glass candle lanterns, path lighting, hanging tea lights, or railing jars.

 

 

 

 

 

5.  Keep Outdoor Furniture to a Minimum – but Dress It Up

 

Be selective and efficient in your choice of backyard furniture, and make sure there’s enough room to move around the chairs and tables. Think comfort, practicality, and function – and don’t forget colors and accents to perk up the space.  

 

 

 

 

6.  Separate the Yard into Distinct but Flowing Areas

 

A garden oasis, outdoor dining/entertaining area, and ample green grass can be accommodated in a small backyard with some imaginative division of space, paving, and landscaping. 

 

 

 

 

7.  Landscape Paths

 

Use pavers, stepping-stones, plants, and shrubs of varying heights, shapes, and colors along the pathway for enhanced visual attraction.

 

 

 

 

8.  Use Walls / Deck Ceilings for Planters

 

An empty wall or fence in the backyard can be a very nice “home” for plants and flowers. In many small backyards, a vertical flower or herb garden is a very popular option. Another idea is to hang flower pots around the ceiling of a covered deck.   

 

 

 

 

9.  Hang Mirrors on the Fence to Make It Kook Bigger

 

Give your backyard the illusion of a larger space by hanging a tall mirror on the fence. The mirror not only makes the backyard look bigger but also serves as a unique decorative piece – and even a spotlight point in the yard. 

 

 

 

 

10.  Don’t Forget Your Garden!

 

Even when you think you’ve utilized every inch of space in your backyard, you can always find that perfect spot in the backyard for an indispensable flower garden. So if a vertical garden is not your style, how about a fairy garden in one corner of your yard?   

 

 

 

So take heart! That small backyard has more potential than you realize. Be adventurous, and tinker with the space to unearth its enormous possibilities!

 

 

Footnote: The left-hand photograph in the lead image of this article is a stone fire pit in a small backyard. For more information, click here.