As a landscaper, it’s your job to create an outdoor space that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. And that can be a challenge when working with limited space. But if you’re willing to think outside of the box, you can turn a small backyard into a dazzling oasis that will impress all who visit. Landscaping for Small Spaces: Maximizing Beauty in Limited Areas
Adding a water feature is an excellent way to add interest and dimension to your small backyard. Whether it’s a simple wall fountain or an intricate waterfall, these landscape features are great at creating focal points in your garden. Plus, they can be enjoyed year-round!
Incorporating a fire pit into your landscape design is another way to spice up your yard. These landscape features add a cozy and intimate feel to your backyard and are great for entertaining guests. Plus, they can be used all throughout the seasons and are easy to maintain.
Instead of filling a small garden with oversized plants, consider planting a series of small shrubs in your landscape design. These smaller bushes will help to open up your small backyard and provide more visual appeal. Symmetry and geometric design are important aspects of good landscaping, so don’t be afraid to incorporate them into your small backyard landscape ideas.
As plant breeders continue to focus on compact forms, they are introducing new cultivars that offer an abundance of gardening options for smaller yards. Look for flowering trees, such as ‘Baby Kim’ lilac (Syringa hybrid ‘SMNSDTP’), that pack everything we love about lilacs into three-by-three-foot mounds, or tree-forming shrubs like ‘Skyrocket’ juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) and ‘Slender Silhouette’ sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua).
When you don’t have the space to create a big statement focal point in your small backyard, use smaller accent elements to create interest. This can include things like garden paths, creek beds, benches, trellises, small water features or fountains, and even outdoor art pieces.
Many people don’t realize that a small garden can still be designed with unique construction materials. And because of the limitations in scale, these materials can often be affordable. You can also incorporate materials that you might not be able to afford in a larger space, such as antiques and one-of-a-kind architectural salvage.
A curved walkway or path will instantly make your backyard feel bigger and more inviting. And you can never go wrong with a beautiful piece of outdoor artwork that is uniquely yours. By searching out one-of-a-kind items for your small backyard, you can truly set your landscape apart from the rest. And don’t forget to add lighting to these unique accent elements for a stunning effect after dark.
Five Elements of Landscape Design – A Guide for Creating Stunning Gardens