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15 Simple Landscape Ideas for Small Backyard

No matter how small your backyard is, landscaping is essential. Simple changes as adding a water feature or hanging string lights can make your small backyard look more spacious and welcoming. Get inspired by our landscape ideas for small backyard and transform it into outdoor paradises for gatherings with friends and family.

Create a Vertical Garden

With limited floor space, consider using your free walls. Create a floral wall by installing trellises, hanging planters, or hanging baskets on an existing wall to plant herbs, flowers, and more. Make your small backyard more lush and vibrant with vertical gardening.

Plant in Raised Garden Beds

Even if you don’t have ample space for flower beds, you can still grow vegetables or flowers in raised beds. Place them along the edge of your backyard, leaving a few inches between each bed to create a more organized and spacious look. Raised beds are a great space-saving option for smaller backyards.

Invest in Multi-functional Furniture

In a limited space, every piece of furniture should serve multiple purposes. Investing in multifunctional furniture like benches with storage, foldable Adirondack chairs, and footrests that double as seats will help you maximize your space without looking cluttered.

Container Gardening

Lynn mentioned in her article, “33 Small Backyard Landscape Ideas,” that “planting in decorative pots can add variety to a small space.” Therefore, container gardening is one of the simplest and most flexible ways to add greenery to a small backyard. Using pots, planters, and window boxes to grow flowers, herbs, or vegetables can transform your backyard without taking up too much space. Containers can be moved and arranged freely to create a unique look.

Dwarf and Low-maintenance Plants

Opt for short and compact plants. This will not take up your limited backyard space and will provide a great viewing experience. For example, dwarf boxwood, ornamental grasses, succulents, and shrubs are ideal choices, as they require minimal care and pruning to survive.

Add Layered Landscape

Layering plants of different heights can make a small space appear larger and more structured. Planting tall trees, medium-sized shrubs, and landmark plants in your backyard creates a layered landscape effect that can make a small backyard appear more lush.

Incorporate Hardscaping Materials

Use hardscape materials like crushed stone and gravel to create paths and seating areas, adding structure and a sense of spaciousness to your backyard. Planting around paths and small areas of seating can make a compact backyard more organized and inviting.

Lay Out a Curved Path

A curved path can create a better sense of depth than a straight path, making the small backyard more spacious. Use paving stones to lay out the path and plant low shrubs, flowers, or herbs along the edge to blend it into the surrounding environment.

Add Water Features

Place a water feature near seating and lounge areas to create a relaxing and relaxing space. A small pond or fountain doesn’t have to be large to create a tranquil and relaxing atmosphere in your backyard.

Provide Shade

Use a gazebo, parasol, or awning to provide shade in sunny areas of your backyard. Not only do they not take up too much ground space, but they also add style to your backyard.

Hang Patio String Lights

String lights are inexpensive and take up almost no floor space, making them perfect for small backyards. Hang it casually on the patio, tree or fence to light up the night and create a warm and charming atmosphere.

Protect Privacy

No matter how small the backyard is, it needs to protect privacy. Even the smallest backyard needs privacy. Try dividing the space with privacy screens, fences, tall plants, hedges, etc. These can block views while making the yard more spacious.

Outdoor Fire Pit

Add a fire pit to transform your backyard into a place for gatherings and conversation. A compact fire pit is the focal point of evenings, bringing backyard fun from spring to cool fall days. Arrange a circle of chairs around the fire pit to create a warm and inviting outdoor gathering spot.

Add a Variety of Textures

Add texture to your backyard by mixing materials like woven rattan, sleek metal, soft cushions, and natural wood to enhance the space’s depth and appeal. Pair an outdoor rug with textured throw pillows or pair a stylish dining table with rustic wooden benches to liven up your backyard.

Keep Simple

The smaller the backyard, the simpler the design should be. Unifying decor colors and simplifying landscaping elements can make your backyard appear tidier and cleaner, creating a sense of openness.

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