Do you often feel inadequate about the size of your backyard? If so, worry not: it’s not the size of the yard, it’s the value you get from it that counts!
See, even the smallest backyards still offer plenty of landscape design potential. The secret is to make the most of every square inch. With a few smart tweaks and neat adornments, you can easily transform your backyard into a small oasis.
Not sure where to start? Here are 15 small backyard landscaping ideas that will turn your yard into the ultimate hub for gardening and entertaining!
1. Add Sitting Space
A small cushioned love seat is a great way to make your backyard living area much cozier. Ideally, you’d opt for a seat that doubles as storage space. That way, you can use it to stash items that make small areas seem busier, such as:
- Area rugs and blankets
- Gardening tools
- Hammocks
If permanent seating isn’t an option, consider foldable, stylish bistro chairs and tables. These can become your new favorite spot to enjoy a morning cup of coffee, and in the winter, you can hang them against a fence or store them inside.
2. Make a Water Garden
Many backyard beautification strategies involve a watertight pot or basin. You can use it to grow aquatic plants or build a miniature reflecting pool. Floating some leaves and flowers on the water basin also allows you to create lovely displays.
With just one pot, you can incorporate water without connecting it to a water source, which is tricky in small yards. If you opt for this route, use black dye to stave off algae and mosquito dunks to prevent mosquito growth.
3. Lay Paving Stones
Pavers can add structure to any backyard while giving it a more elevated look. The key thing about them is that they allow you to play with a combination of styles and textures. Popular types of paving stones include:
- Slate
- Natural stone
- Indian sandstone
- Limestone
- Granite
If you live in an area with heavy rainfall, permeable paving is a must. Laying pavers over crushed stone will allow the rain to percolate and leave your property. In small yards, pavers are most commonly used for patios and walkways.
4. Create a Pergola
Are you struggling to add shade to your yard without taking up too much ground space? If so, a pergola could be the ideal solution. Beyond adding more cover to your space, a pergola will serve as a beautiful backdrop to any yard.
Like many landscaping solutions, pergolas require some thought to use effectively. One way to make the most of it is to use it as a base for added greenery. Some vining plants and hanging baskets will make it even more appealing!
5. Layer Your Lighting
Layered outdoor lighting helps you strike a nice balance between coziness and functionality. For best results, pick lights with low lumens and warm-colored tones. Think about how to use lighting effects to your advantage, such as:
- Uplighting on large trees
- Backlighting to add silhouettes
- Accent lights, such as wall lanterns
If you used pavers to make a walkway, don’t forget to illuminate it as well. Small low lights can make a footpath seem more inviting at night. Plus, they’re fairly important for allowing you and your guests to navigate the space at night!
6. Consider Grass Alternatives
These days, many homeowners are looking for ways to make their spaces more sustainable. One way to make that happen is to replace your turf grass with no-mow native species such as low-growing sedges or fine fescues.
Beyond being eco-friendly, grass alternatives tend to be very low-maintenance. In most cases, all you’ll need to do is give them an annual haircut. This is a great option for backyards with minimal street access or equipment storage.
7. Install Hanging Planters
If your yard is lacking in in-ground planting space, hanging planters can be a great alternative. These plants will also beautify any space with colorful blooms, and they come in many different types. Some popular hanging plants are:
- String of heart
- Philodendron
- Satin pothos
- Hanging Hoya
- Fuchsia
You can also opt for plants that double as trailing edibles, such as strawberries! No matter which plant you opt for, though, keep in mind they tend to dry out more easily. As a result, they’ll need more watering (and attention in general).
8. Grow Ground Covers
When it comes to an outdoor space transformation, not many things are more effective than ground covers. These plants, such as bugleweed and sweet woodruff, can bring both texture and aesthetic appeal to small backyards.
Ground covers are also known for a variety of other benefits they offer to a yard. For example, they help suppress weeds and protect your soil from erosion. They can also provide mini-habitats for insects and other small creatures.
9. Think About Symmetry
If you have a boxy or rectangular small backyard, a symmetrical design can be a great fit. For instance, a pair of commanding topiaries adds a sense of formality and grandeur when used as a focal point. Other examples include:
- Formal hedges
- Matching planters
- Geometric flower beds
Keep in mind that symmetrical design also tends to involve more maintenance. If you want to keep the plants the same shape, you’ll need to prune them more often. Then again, slight asymmetrical elements can also be a great fit.
10. Install a Bird Bath
As far as compact yard ideas go, a bird bath is always a popular option. It allows you to welcome wildlife into the yard while taking up little space. Is there anything that eases the mind more than the occasional quiet splash of water?
If you get a bird bath, don’t forget to change the water regularly. Doing it a few times a week will prevent the buildup of algae and bacteria. Once a week, you should also spend a few minutes cleaning the bath itself.
11. Use Plant Containers
Whether you want to grow vegetables or flowers, you should keep them in containers. With a few containers, you can expand your planting space in a versatile and interesting way. Good places for placing planters include:
- Patios
- Balconies
- Edges of walls or stairs
A window box can be a particularly effective way to add more bloom to your yard. Many window boxes can instantly transform the look of your home by bringing in a touch of nature. Plus, they do that while utilizing exclusively vertical space!
12. Install a Fire Pit
Many garden design tips include fire pits, and for good reason. A fire pit can be a focal point in an outdoor space while doubling as a table. If you want to keep enjoying your garden in the evening, a fire pit will make it happen.
For smaller backyards, consider getting a portable option. These fire pits are compact, easy to move around, and more affordable. They also tend to produce less ash and smoke, making them more environmentally friendly.
13. Think About Borders
How much do you value your privacy? If the answer is “quite a lot,” don’t be afraid to close off your backyard by surrounding it with lush green walls on all sides. Many climbing vines can provide cover while being lovely to look at, such as:
- Climbing hydrangea
- Yellow jessamine
- Honeysuckle
- Creeping fig
If you want your neighbors to enjoy your garden as well, a less combative approach may be better. For instance, planting a narrow flower bed along the border can add a lot of color without taking up much space.
14. Keep It Simple
In general, small backyards shouldn’t try to do too much. Remember: your main goal is to keep the yard comfortable and pretty to look at. This will be much easier to achieve if you don’t overthink it and add features you don’t need.
In a similar vein, your garden design should only include a few colors. A simple color scheme will keep the focus where it should be: on the yard itself. Of course, a few distinct splashes of color in the right places can be fun as well!
15. Remember the Sun
Plants need different amounts of sun exposure to thrive. As far as these sun requirements go, all plants are divided into three distinct categories:
- Full sun: six or more hours of sunlight per day
- Part sun/part shade: three to six hours per day
- Full shade: less than three hours per day
Before planting anything, create a sun map for your backyard. Pay attention to how much sunlight different areas of the yard get throughout the day. You can also use a sun-tracking app to track the sun’s movement.
Small Backyard Landscaping Ideas Made Easy
The bottom line: no backyard is too small to look good. From subtle additions to major landscaping efforts, there are plenty of things you can do to make your yard look good. The only question is: should you do everything yourself?
At Arbeen Landscaping, we can turn your small backyard landscaping ideas into reality. We offer a full suite of residential and commercial design & landscaping services. We pride ourselves on putting the customer first–no matter what!
Our service areas include many Chicago suburbs, including Aurora, Naperville, and Plainfield. Contact us now to learn more about our services!
