You don't need a huge yard to enjoy a beautiful and functional outdoor space. With some clever landscape design tips, you can transform your small backyard into a cozy and inviting oasis. Here are some ideas to help you maximize your space, style, and comfort.
Plants are essential for adding color, texture, and life to your backyard, but you don't want to overcrowd your space with too many or too large varieties. Choose plants that suit your climate, soil, and sun exposure, and opt for dwarf or compact versions of your favorite flowers, shrubs, and trees. You can also use vertical gardening techniques, such as hanging baskets, trellises, or wall-mounted planters, to save floor space and create visual interest.
In my experience, strategic planning from various perspectives significantly aids designers. One crucial aspect is the appropriate selection and arrangement of plants. Often, it’s beneficial to use odd numbers like 3, 5, or 7, which lend a sense of stability to the space. When arranging plants, it’s advisable to avoid placing similar-shaped plants adjacent to each other. Instead, a mix of round and tall plants creates a more appealing aesthetic. However, the designer’s job doesn’t end with just choosing the right plants. It’s also essential to harmonize their color tones. Utilizing a variety of greens can make the landscape appear larger and more inviting.
Just because you have a small space, doesn't mean you can't build layers for visual interest (and habitat). Columnar varieties of trees which have a small footprint but will grow tall. Straight and Narrow Syzygium and Slim Callistemon come to mind. Planter boxes are good, but green walls often look worse as time goes on (there's a lot of science behind these - just talk to the pros who do it well and your head will explode). Creepers on a trellis are good, just don't let them creep up into the gutter or root onto paint, etc.
To keep your backyard feeling open and organized, consider layering different plant heights. Use low shrubs, medium-sized plants, and a few taller varieties to create a sense of depth. This approach not only showcases your plants beautifully but also achieves a harmonious balance in your garden. Remember, a less-is-more arrangement not only simplifies maintenance but also makes your space appear larger.
It is essential to integrate living and planted areas within small exterior spaces. The compact nature of these projects requires a more thoughtful approach. Plant species should be carefully selected and, more importantly, combined in ways that enhance the living experience while complementing the shape, size, and overall design of the planted areas. In striving to create a visually engaging planting design, it’s crucial to avoid two things: using too many different species, which can result in an incoherent design, or opting for a minimalist approach that risks making the space uninteresting. A balanced selection of plants of different sizes and textures is key, while always maintaining a balance between quantity and scale.
As a landscape architect, I select the right plants to make the most of small backyard spaces. It’s important to use compact or short-heighted species to avoid overcrowding while bringing in colour and texture. Vertical gardening, using trellises, hanging baskets, or wall planters, can help utilize vertical space effectively and create a dynamic green environment. Choosing plants that are well-suited to the local climate and site conditions is essential for creating a thriving, sustainable landscape.
Even if your backyard is small, you can still create different zones for different purposes, such as dining, lounging, playing, or working. You can use elements such as rugs, furniture, lighting, or screens to define and separate each zone, and make sure they flow well together. You can also use curves, angles, or levels to create the illusion of more space and depth.
A focal point is a feature that draws the eye and creates a sense of direction and harmony in your landscape design. It can be anything from a fountain, a fire pit, a sculpture, or a colorful pot. Choose a focal point that reflects your personality and style, and place it strategically in your backyard, where it can be seen from different angles and distances. You can also use plants, rocks, or other elements to frame and accentuate your focal point.
Avoid straight edges or lines as can make a Small space feel even smaller, be clever with planting create tiers, utilise vertical planting
A columnar tree is a good focal point. Ask your local nursery pro abiut what narrow but tall varieties they have in stock. Mirrors aren't necessarily a focal point (though they can be), but they can add more light to a shady garden when positioned well, and they make the space appear larger.
I strongly advocate for incorporating a focal point in our designs. It not only captures attention but also breathes life into the design. Recently, I’ve experimented with using a unique focal point in each zone of my landscape designs. For instance, the Winter zone was highlighted by a fire pit, serving as its focal point.
This can vary greatly depending on how small your space is and whether it is inwardly focused or with views out. Either way the goal is to make the space feel as big as possible. Understand where the main views are from and to. If it is about views out, perhaps use taller plants/trees or decorative framing elements/pots/arch/trellis at the end of the space to draw your eye to this 'window'. For small enclosed gardens, create a backdrop of a tiled wall/decorative screen/wall fountain/fireplace that is as far away from the viewpoint as possible and place a seating area or open lawn panel in front of it.
To make a small backyard feel more spacious and inviting, consider incorporating a striking centrepiece that resonates with your taste. This could be anything from a sculptural piece or a cozy fire pit to a bold planter or a vibrant cluster of plants. The key is to position it thoughtfully so that it naturally draws attention and becomes a visual anchor. Surrounding it with complementary elements like greenery, stones, or lighting can enhance its presence, creating a balanced and engaging outdoor space that invites you to linger and enjoy.
Furniture is another important aspect of your landscape design, as it provides comfort and functionality to your outdoor space. However, you don't want to clutter your backyard with too many or too bulky pieces. Instead, look for furniture that can serve multiple purposes, such as benches with storage, tables with wheels, or chairs that can fold or stack. You can also use furniture that can double as planters, such as crates, barrels, or pallets.
Lighting can make a big difference in the mood and ambiance of your backyard, especially at night. You can use lighting to highlight your focal point, create zones, or add some sparkle and charm. You can choose from various types of lighting, such as string lights, lanterns, candles, or solar lights, depending on your budget and preference. You can also use lighting to create contrast, drama, or warmth in your landscape design.
You can use spotlights or uplights to highlight things like trees, sculptures, or water features, making your backyard more interesting and layered. Pathway lights not only make it safer to walk but also make the area look better by leading your eyes through the space. Lights that can be dimmed or have warm colors can create a cozy and comfortable feeling, great for evening get-togethers or quiet time outside
The most important tip for maximizing your small backyard space is to be creative and have fun with your landscape design. You can use your imagination and personal taste to create a space that reflects your lifestyle and needs. You can also experiment with different colors, textures, patterns, and materials to add some flair and character to your backyard. You can also reuse or repurpose items you already have, such as old tires, bottles, or cans, to make some unique and eco-friendly decorations.
Have a look at this site for advice and ideas. Largest landscaping group on the net https://www.facebook.com/groups/111972096145990
Using columnar trees is a great way to add layers without overtaking the whole landscape. And incorporating clean lines with hardscaping and well-maintained bed edges will keep the space looking very intentional and inviting. ???
Small flowers can make a space appear larger. Fastigiate/columnar growth shapes as well as vertical gardens and climbers make use of vertical space. Focus the space around usability.
In my opinion, a backyard is an outdoor extension of a home. It is that space where parties are arranged, festivals are celebrated, workshops are held, leisure time is spent, etc. depending upon the interests of the family members. Therefore while designing a backyard it is very important to consider the various functional requirements of the family. In some cases there might be more than one spatial requirement, the planning of a backyard should therefore be ephemeral and able to cater to the changing needs of the family members. In my opinion, efficient spatial planning is the one factor of utmost importance to maximize the landscape design for a backyard.
I'm not sure that "be creative" is a true tip, but something I've had fun with over the years is working in hardscape layouts set at an angle. This works for interiors and exteriors and keeps small spaces from feeling tight and narrow.