Creating Visual Space in a Small Yard
Create a View
Arbors and pergolas are classic small yard landscaping ideas and great ways to frame a view, but you can also do the same with shrubs, small trees, or garden art.
Break up open areas of a small space so it feels larger. Different furniture groupings and paths divide a small backyard landscape into attractive and restful seating nooks.
Create Nooks
It may seem counterintuitive, but boosting intimacy actually helps small backyards. Why? Creating escape nooks for reading and resting is a good small backyard idea for dividing up a space and creating specific zones.
Use Color Effectively. Place bold, bright colors in front because they will catch your attention first, and the rest of the small landscape (muted tones) beyond will seem to recede, helping it to feel larger.
The Power of Perspective
Long, straight lines trick you into thinking a small yard or small garden landscape is bigger than it is. This can be accomplished by establishing a focal point and extending, for example, repeating rows of flowers from that point.
Create a Small Backyard Destination. A welcoming sitting area, such as a firepit with cozy chairs, can serve as not only a beautiful focal point, but also a peaceful destination.
Go BOLD around the edges
Lining a yard with large, bold plants and shrubs creates a lush feel, especially in a small landscape. Their large leaves and branches change the scale of a small backyard to help it feel larger, as well as give it richness and texture. This is also a great trick to create privacy or yard divisions. Be sure, however, that the plants, trees, and shrubs you choose grow up and not out.
Raised Planting Areas can give your small backyard a sense of height. Try retaining walls or more formal raised beds integrated with other hardscape features, such as stairs. You'll help the eye move up and create a pretty visual distraction from the lack of square footage.
Streamline your Garden & Plants
Reducing visual clutter is another small backyard landscaping idea that helps to create a sense of calm and order. The easiest way to do that is to maintain a rigorous devotion to either just a few plants, or just one variety or color.
