If you are one of the people who love gardening, not having enough space can become a real challenge. But just as some people can make their own garden on a small balcony, you can do it with a small backyard as well. There are even special designers that know how to make use of the smallest space. Today we are going to have a look at the main principles behind this type of landscape. After that, we will show you some small backyard landscaping ideas.
Tips for Designing a Small Backyard
1. Have Various Focal Points
A small garden can have a strong focal point: a tree, a seat or a view along a path. One main feature and a few supporting details are often enough. Partial screens or planting can reveal the space gradually, but too many objects can make it feel crowded.
2. Think in Inches
Measure the usable space before buying furniture or plants. Include the room needed to pull out chairs, open gates and reach planting. A clear route and a little unfilled space can be more useful than using every inch.
3. Use High-Quality Materials
You can take advantage of the variety of materials that are available on the market nowadays. Find exotic stones and innovative ceramics that can make your garden unique. The fact that you have a small garden means that you can pay less for some high-quality materials, even if they are a little bit expensive.
4. Make the Space Functional
Start by choosing the garden’s main purpose. If you’re into outdoor dining, choose a table that leaves enough room for chairs and circulation. If you intend to relax there, plan a comfortable seating area. Include a fire feature only if the site can meet its instructions, clearances and local restrictions. Depending on the space that is available, choose one main purpose or focus on various areas around.
5. Vertical Landscaping
Another useful key concept when it comes to small backyard landscape ideas is vertical landscaping. There are lots of vertical garden DIY ideas out there, so you just have to choose the right one for you. Use various plants for this purpose so that the eye doesn’t get bored. You can have some suspended pots, so use plant hooks and hangers.
6. Get Colorful
A small backyard makes it easier to take advantage of a splash of color. Go for a bold color, which you can use to liven up the area. Use cushions or throw pillows for your seating sets. Alternatively, choose to plant flowers that have a strong color when they bloom. However, it’s important to stick to one color scheme, otherwise, the design will be quite tiring for your eyes.
Now that you’ve seen what are the basic rules when arranging a small space, let’s have a look at some small backyard landscaping ideas.
Small Backyard Landscaping Ideas to Inspire You
1. Oversized Pots
Using oversized pots is a great idea for a small backyard landscape, even it may not seem so. Grow your plants in these pots and create a lush lineup. If you need, you can also use a line of pots to create a privacy wall or simply one that splits up various areas of the garden. Opt for terra cotta if you want a more sophisticated look or plastic for a common one.
2. Mix Various Herbs
Use an old table to group together various herbs. Not only they will be useful for cooking, but they will also look good in your garden. If you’re going for a more fancy and old aspect, you can use a metal tub to plant colorful flowers or random herbs.
3. Install a Birdbath
A redundant birdbath can become a shallow planter only if it has suitable drainage and enough rooting space. Choose plants for the actual exposure and climate. Succulents do not tolerate a water-filled bowl merely because they store water in their leaves; decorative pebbles do not replace drainage holes.
4. Go for Climbers
One of the best small backyard landscaping ideas is to use climbers. Just as we explained in the concepts part of the article, vertical placing is useful. In a suitable warm climate, bougainvillea is one option, and you don’t even need to use a complicated trellis (just choose a simple DIY garden trellis one). However, there are lots of other plants that offer vertical vines as well.
5. Play with the Textures
It’s important to create a contrast and an aesthetic vibrancy in your small garden. To this purpose, group containers beside a seating area without obstructing steps or paths. Plant things that have various shapes, for instance, agave and geranium next to each other. Vertical foliage can also be combined with another one that spills over the sides. In this way, you will have a nice texture play in your garden.
6. Go for Pocket Plants
When you think of small backyard landscaping ideas, you can’t overlook pocket plants. Use a planting system designed to hold wet growing mix securely, with suitable drainage and enough root space for the chosen plants. Check that the wall or fence and fixings can carry the load. Protect the surface behind it from persistent moisture and allow access for watering.
7. Use Shutters
Also from the going vertical concept, you can also use shutters for plants. Use sound shutters as a decorative backdrop for independently supported pots. Slats are not automatically plant shelves or adequate load-bearing supports. Match each plant’s light and watering needs; some succulents need strong light, and others need protection from harsh sun.
8. Take Advantage of Pallets
The most flexible one of the small backyard landscaping ideas is to use a pallet. Choose sound wood with a known history, and design secure supports for the combined weight of pots, plants and wet mix. A few nails and wire do not establish that a freestanding pallet is stable. Keep heavy pots low, protect against overturning and leave space for maintenance and growth.
9. Go for Mini Things
Looking for some stylish small backyard landscaping ideas? How about a terrarium? A small planted container or terrarium can be a tabletop feature. Choose an open or closed setup to suit its plants, and do not leave a glass enclosure in direct outdoor sun where it can overheat. Most garden plants are not suitable for a small closed terrarium.
10. A Curved Planted Screen
The logic behind this idea is particularly interesting. By curving a suitable planted screen, you will hide a part of the garden. This will trick the eye and make it think that the space is larger than it actually is. The reason for this is that you can never see all the garden from one place.
11. Raised Beds
DIY raised garden beds are a great solution for planting in a small garden. Especially if you have poor soil (or none at all), you can use beds you made for planting flowers or herbs. Choose a height and width you can reach comfortably, with sides designed for the soil load. Taller beds require more material and appropriate construction. Moreover, it will be useful since you won’t bend as much when you tend to the plants.
12. Plant Trees
It may seem one of the worst small backyard landscaping ideas, but in fact, it’s really useful. Choose a dwarf tree and plant it in a huge pot. Check the named cultivar’s mature dimensions; “dwarf” is relative and does not guarantee a five-to-ten-foot height. However, if you plan to move or repot it, make sure it resists the conditions.
13. Use Trays and Tables
There’s no reason to throw away old furniture items when you have a garden to decorate. Repurpose a metal table that was meant to serve drinks, for instance, old pots or even metal tubs. You will obtain a classy vintage style that can contrast nicely with your terra cotta pots, for example.
The RHS container-growing guide explains why drainage, root volume and continuing care matter. Plan the display around plants you can maintain, not only the appearance on planting day.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve seen some interesting small backyard landscaping ideas and concepts, it’s easy to put them into practice. Reuse sound, suitable materials with a known history, and check their stability outdoors. An eclectic style may look better than you think. Leave useful circulation and maintenance space instead of filling every corner. Lastly, include some color in your design for an exquisite final result.
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