16 Small Backyard Landscaping Ideas

We’re going to let you in on a little secret: an impressive backyard doesn’t need to be gigantic. Small yard space can seem like a problem for avid gardeners and new homeowners, but it doesn’t take a major landscaping overhaul to add space and make your yard breathable. With a little bit of backyard planning and some gardening savvy, small yards can feel just as large, textured, and lively as big ones. 

There are three ways to add a feeling of space to your small backyard. You can clear up the current space, structure your yard to have more room, or trick the brain into seeing a larger yard. So, whether you’re looking to boost your curb appeal or make your home more livable, here are 16 ideas for landscaping your backyard, brought to you by Northern Nevada’s landscaping experts, DRC Landscaping,

Ways To Clear Up Space 

Zoning

To make a small space look bigger, creating simple zones can be an effective way to organize and add space. Dedicating a certain plot of land to the patio, a different plot to the garden, another for the fire pit, and so forth will make your backyard tidy and easier to tackle.

Use Mobile Furniture

Having furniture installed in an outdoor living space is great, but it can take up valuable square footage. A simple folding table and chairs might be all you need for when you use your backyard as a dining area. And don’t worry, folding furniture doesn’t have to look “cheap” – there are many options out there that have a nice wood design and finish, complementing your backyard when you need it.

Use Garage Space

Though the garage might be a few feet away from the backyard, storage space is storage space, and to keep a tidy backyard, sometimes you have to put the clutter somewhere else.

Furnish to Scale

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is going for the large outdoor dining set, fancy swing, and extravagant lighting. Buy furniture that fits into a certain zone, and don’t overdo it on the decor – we’ll go over some ways to decorate in style, without overwhelming your space.

Use the Side Lawn

Optimizing your outdoor space means using every square foot available, and that includes the side yard. This is the perfect space for a small herb garden or a morning coffee table, and your landscaping projects can incorporate this area to make the entire yard look larger and more cohesive.

Speaking of landscaping projects, let’s dive into ways to structure, landscape, and terraform your yard.

Ways To Structure Your Backyard

Create Hanging Space

You can fit much more plant life into your yard by installing an arbor, trellis, or pergola. Not only will these structures expand the amount of greenspace in your yard, but it will add a sense of depth and dimension that makes the space feel larger and more vibrant.

Create Levels

Raising or sinking the land can add an additional sense of depth. Whether you raise the porch and add steps to the rest of the yard, or whether you simply heighten a few planters with a raised bed, a three dimensional walking space broadens your yard’s possibilities.

Use All Three Dimensions

The best landscape design thinks upwards. By hanging string lights, installing a vertical garden, and using your walls effectively, you can use your vertical space to clear some yard space and make your yard more verdant.

Create a Path

Sometimes, all you need is a stone walkway. By giving your backyard a space to walk along, the rest of the yard will feel larger, and you’ll have more space to play with plantlife and other backyard ideas.

These landscaping ideas help create space, but there are also ways to trick the brain into seeing a larger backyard. With this last set of tips, your yard will look, feel, and be more spacious.

Ways to Trick the Brain

Textured Plants

Diverse plantlife makes the backyard more lush and inviting. Using a mix of thin grasses, broad leaves, and different colored florals, a small garden patch can feel much larger.

Organized Plants

Don’t just use diverse plantlife, organize your plants to make the space feel larger. Place plants with thinner leaves, including grasses and reeds, near the borders of your garden. Plants with large leaves, like palms and elephant ears, should be placed near entryways and focal points to naturally draw the eye. This tricks the brain into visualizing more space, adding movement and texture to the yard.

Install a Focal Point

A focal point will draw the eye to a specific space in the yard, usually at the center or back. This can be a sculpture, a wall design, or a central feature of your landscaping. As long as it draws the eye and fits into your yard’s aesthetic, the rest of the space will feel larger and more varied.

Lay Diagonal Pavers

The pavement and decking you use should cut the yard diagonally and, if possible, point back towards your house. This makes the yard feel more dimensional, since you’re encouraging the eye to experience the yard vertically, horizontally, and obliquely.

Use Curves

In the same way that diagonal pavers add a sense of dimension, curves also coax the eye. Installing a curved path, curving the borders of your garden, or even installing an arched hedge will satisfy the eye with additional shapes and movements.

Color the Entryway

Cool colors tend to recede into the background and merge with the plantlife. Warm colors – reds, oranges, and yellows – pop out to the viewer, adding a sense of dimension and space. Use warm colors near entryways and focal points, and consider balancing your use of cool and warm colored plantlife.

Install Mirrors

Lastly, you can trick the brain into perceiving more space by hanging mirrors near decorative spaces. A mirror helps reflect light in your backyard and provides the illusion of additional space, making your property feel larger and more inviting.

Landscape architects rely on these same ideas to make yards feel more welcoming: texture, color, and dimension. These tips are certain to add space to your yard, making your family and guests feel right at home. If you’re looking for additional landscaping tips, or if you want help from Northern Nevada’s landscaping professionals, contact DRC Landscaping today, and let’s build an inviting home together.