If you have a small backyard, there are many things you can do to make it feel larger. You don’t need to create an entire outdoor room that’s bigger than your house; instead, just choose a few ways to make your space feel more spacious by using clever design elements or clever landscaping.
Here are some ideas for making your small backyard feel bigger:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| There are many creative ways to make a small backyard look and feel larger. |
| Incorporating vertical gardening, creating zones, and choosing appropriate furniture and plants can all help to maximize the space. |
| Using built-in seating, folding chairs, and outdoor poufs can provide comfortable seating without taking up too much space. |
| Adding lighting and water features can add unique and stylish elements to a small backyard while creating a relaxing ambiance. |
| With a little creativity and strategic planning, even the smallest backyard can become a beautiful and functional outdoor oasis. |
Put Some Mulch Down
Mulch is a great way to make your yard look bigger, but it also helps keep your plants healthy. If you want to add mulch, consider how much mulch you need and how much that will cost.
Mulch reduces the amount of weeds in your yard by blocking out light and moisture from the soil beneath it.
This can be especially useful if you have been having a lot of trouble with weeds or grass growing through cracks in your walkways or patio stones.
Installing turf in your backyard can instantly create the illusion of more space. Check out our guide on how to put turf down in your backyard for easy-to-follow steps.
Build a Path
To begin, it’s important to understand the difference between paths and patios. A path is a walkway that leads from one area of the yard to another.
It can be straight or curved, but if it leads from one spot to another then it’s a path. A patio is an area that is surrounded by barriers such as walls or fences it does not connect any other parts of your yard together like a path does.
Paths are helpful for defining space in your backyard and giving each section its own identity so that guests can easily distinguish where they should go next when they visit you at home.
Paths also help with flow throughout the yard; they provide clear routes through which people can move back and forth between areas with ease by providing visual cues along those routes (like arrows painted on the ground).
Manage Your Plants
The first step in making your backyard smaller is to manage your plants. To do this, you’ll want to consider the water needs of each plant and place them accordingly.
For example, if you have a large yard that has lots of trees and other plants, then it would make sense to place drought-tolerant ones closer towards the center where they will get less water than those planted on the perimeter.
This can be done by grouping similar plants together (i.e., all cactus type) or choosing those that don’t require as much water (i.e., succulents).
In addition, mulch and compost can help retain moisture in dryer areas while drip irrigation helps direct water from above instead of leaving it sitting on top of soil where evaporation occurs quickly at higher temperatures.
If your budget allows for it or if you live in an area with frequent rainfalls then consider installing a rain barrel!
These are easy DIY projects using recycled materials like garbage cans or 55 gallon drums; just cut off one end so that it creates an opening for collecting water runoff when storms come through town!
A well-designed landscape can transform a small backyard into a functional and inviting space. Learn how to make your own backyard landscape with our helpful tips and ideas.
Cut Down on the Lawn
One of the best ways to make your backyard feel more intimate is to remove the lawn. Lawns take a lot of work and money, especially if they’re not watered properly.
You can replace that grass with other plants or even a patio or deck. This will cut down on maintenance costs and give you more space for entertaining guests, playing games, or just relaxing in nature!
Use Your Wall Space
Using the wall space to create a focal point
You may not want to use all of the wall space in your backyard, but it’s important not to ignore it completely. If you do, that part of your yard will feel unbalanced and incomplete. It also won’t be able to hold its own against other elements like trees or other structures in your yard.
If you have limited space for gardening and landscaping, consider using one side of a wall as an accent feature instead of having plants all over the place.
You can even make use of fences by creating attractive pathways through them or adding benches along them so that people can sit underneath them while enjoying their time outdoors.
Proper drainage is essential for a healthy and attractive backyard. Our guide on how deep to bury a dog in your backyard offers easy tips on ensuring good drainage for your outdoor space.
Furnish Your Patio with Dual-Purpose Pieces
A patio is a great place to relax and entertain, but you may be hesitant to use it if it feels like an extension of your inside space. That’s where dual-purpose pieces come in: furniture that can be used indoors or out and makes the most of your outdoor space.
If you have a small backyard, try creating a patio by adding outdoor seating around your existing fire pit or grill station.
Add potted plants by the back door, and install overhead lighting so you can enjoy the outdoors at night.
If you’re looking for more flexibility in terms of entertaining guests or simply enjoying the weather during different times of day and especially if there’s no room left outside for another lounge chair consider buying some folding chairs and setting them up on top of some concrete blocks or stools
This way they can double as additional seating inside during parties while still making use of outdoor space when not needed inside. It also doesn’t hurt to create more drama with bright colors like orange or red!
Use Light and Dark to Your Advantage
Using light and dark colors is a great way to make rooms feel larger or smaller. Dark colors recede, while light colors advance.
A room with lots of windows and natural light should have lighter walls and trim, while a lower-traffic area like the laundry room may benefit from darker paint in order to make it feel cozy.
If you don’t have windows, consider using reflective surfaces like mirrors that will help bounce light around your space.
Remodeling your backyard can help make it appear larger and more functional. Check out our guide on how to remake a backyard for practical advice on updating your outdoor space.
Add Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting is one of the best ways to make your backyard feel like you’re entertaining on a grand scale.
By using lighting that’s weatherproof, easy to install and doesn’t require too much maintenance, you can transform your backyard into a party venue in no time!
Solar lights are an excellent option for those who want to keep their utility costs down. These are battery-powered LED lights that provide ample illumination for even larger spaces.
String lights are another great choice because they come with minimal fuss; all you need to do is stick the bulbs in place (and plug them in) before heading back inside for a glass of wine and some cheese plates!
You should also consider adding outdoor wall sconces along with other types of decorative light fixtures (such as lanterns or torches). These will help set the mood while bringing additional warmth and style into your space.
Install a Fence
Install a fence. It’s not just for keeping critters out, or for marking property lines. Fences can be used to divide up space and create boundaries, which is exactly what you want to do with your small backyard.
A fence can help divide the large open space into smaller segments for example, a grassy area where people sit and chat versus an area where kids play games on their own.
You could also use fences to create a sense of privacy by surrounding one area with them while leaving other areas open to visibility from the street or other parts of the yard (and maybe even from neighboring yards).
If you have children who enjoy playing outside but are afraid of strangers watching them, putting up some form of barrier between yourself and neighbors would be great security measure as well!
Landscaping can be a great way to enhance the look and feel of your backyard, but it’s important to plan your budget accordingly. Our guide on how much does it cost to fully landscape a backyard provides helpful information on the costs associated with different landscaping projects.
Decorate with Mirrors
Mirrors are one of the most underrated ways to make your backyard feel more spacious. Mirrors can be used to open up a space, reflect light and make your backyard look more stylish. The following tips will help you use mirrors effectively:
Use large floor-to-ceiling mirrors to open up small spaces. A mirror will reflect light and make any room feel bigger than it actually is, so placing a large floor-to-ceiling mirror in your living room or dining area will help open up a narrow room.
Place smaller wall-mounted or tabletop mirrors on walls and in corners to reflect sunlight throughout the day to keep cool during hot days of summertime.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has given you some good ideas for making your backyard more small. If you’re looking for more inspiration, why not turn to a professional landscaper?
They can help guide you through the process of creating a beautiful, functional space that meets all your needs and they’ll be able to take care of any hard work too!
Further reading
For more ideas and inspiration on making the most of a small backyard, check out these helpful resources:
Better Homes & Gardens offers tips and tricks for improving a small backyard, including ideas for vertical gardening and maximizing seating space.
Bob Vila presents a dozen different ways to make the most of a small yard, from adding a water feature to incorporating a living wall.
Real Homes provides small backyard ideas for homeowners on a budget, including creative ways to use lighting and plants to enhance the space.
FAQs
How can I make my small backyard look bigger?
There are several ways to create the illusion of more space in a small backyard, such as using vertical gardening, creating zones, and selecting appropriate furniture and plants.
What types of plants are best for a small backyard?
Plants that are compact, easy to maintain, and can thrive in a small space are ideal for a small backyard. Examples include dwarf fruit trees, container gardens, and vertical gardens.
How can I incorporate seating into a small backyard?
Maximizing seating space is crucial in a small backyard. Consider using built-in benches, folding chairs, and outdoor poufs to provide comfortable seating without taking up too much space.
What are some creative ways to add lighting to a small backyard?
String lights, lanterns, and solar-powered lights are all great options for adding lighting to a small backyard. Additionally, incorporating light fixtures into the design of your backyard can add a unique and stylish touch.
How can I incorporate water features into a small backyard?
Water features such as fountains, ponds, and birdbaths can add a tranquil and relaxing element to a small backyard. Consider incorporating a small water feature that complements the overall design of your outdoor space.
I am Hellen James, a landscape architect. For many years I have written about landscaping for various publications; however, recently decided to focus my writing on personal experience as a profession.