Landscaping your backyard can be a great way to improve the appearance and functionality of your home. However, if you don’t have a lot of space to work with, it can be a challenge to come up with ideas that fit.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of 44 Landscape Ideas For Small Backyards. With everything from simple tips like adding a patio room to more ambitious projects like building an entire garden bed, you’re sure to find something that will work for your home.
So take a look through these ideas and get started on making your backyard dreams a reality!
Best landscape ideas for small backyards
Beautiful small backyard landscape designs can be hard to achieve, as a small yard requires good space management. There are some easy backyard landscaping ideas you can take into your own hands, and we're here to help.
How do I landscape my small backyard?
Simple small backyard landscaping can be done in a single weekend.
First, you need to decide what you want to do with your small yard, whether to add some grass, create a patio area or put up a pergola.
Most importantly, you need to decide what theme you want for your backyard, whether it's modern, country, or something else.
You can't go wrong with a traditional and simple design for small backyards.
This includes trees, flowers, and grass in equal measure. Go for family-friendly plants that are easy to take care of. You should also ensure your backyard is well lit, whether it's through the use of lamps or simply by allowing the sun to penetrate the space.
You can also use a number of different materials for your small backyard landscaping project, including gravel and stone pavers, brick or wood chips. Remember that you don't need a lot of variety in terms of landscaping materials, as this will only make the area look cluttered.
The more simple your backyard landscape design is, the better.
How do I make a small landscape?
To make a small landscape, you need to begin with the design. Before doing anything, it's a good idea to sit down and spend some time working out what you want from your yard.
- When planning your small backyard landscaping ideas, the first step is to decide on the design theme you want in place. For example, you might want to take a modern approach with clean lines or go for something more natural.
- The second step is to figure out the budget you're working with and how much work you're willing to do yourself. If your budget is low, but you like doing DIY projects, consider planning and planting the yard yourself over a period of months.
- Then you should take into account how much sunlight the area receives, whether there are any existing obstacles in place and how much room you have to work with.
- Once you've come up with a small landscaping project that works, you can begin buying materials. Consider using native plants for your backyard design, as they are more suited to local weather conditions.
- The best way to make your small backyard more attractive is by adding in some surface features like rocks or grass.
- Alternatively, you could simply add some trees and plants that look good and smell nice.
By following our simple tips, it should be much easier to come up with a small backyard landscaping project that works for you.
What can you do with a small backyard?
There are a number of things you can do to make the most out of your small backyard space, including:
- Adding grass and landscaping it with shrubs and trees;
- Installing a patio and creating an outdoor dining area Picking up some garden ornaments like wind chimes or glass orbs;
- Adding water features such as fountains, ponds, and waterfalls;
- Building a pergola and putting up some climbing plants on it.
It's important to consider how you want your backyard to look and function before committing to a design.
How do I layout my small backyard?
Begin by measuring the area you want to landscape and sketching your design onto graph paper. This way, you'll know what materials you need before actually buying anything.
When it comes to sketching out your yard, think about how it will be used on a daily basis. For example, if you plan on having friends over for
How do you make a small backyard cozy?
You can make a small yard cozy with the right landscaping, furniture, and accessories. Remember some of the tips we've mentioned as you go about designing your garden, such as considering what you want from it and sticking to a simple design.
In terms of layout, simply pick out an area for sitting or any other activity that might take place in your yard.
When decorating, think about how much furniture you need and where it should go. Try to avoid using too many pieces as this will clutter the yard. Instead, choose a few comfortable chairs or benches that offer perfect views of your backyard design.
Boho is a great cozy decorating style for small backyards, especially if you already have a patio or garden. You can also plant some vines on your fence to create an instant cozy feel.
If you don't think you have enough space to pull off this decorating style, try sticking with other types of decor, such as flowers and statues.
Small backyard ideas for entertaining
If you want to design your small backyard to accommodate a few parties, make sure to give it enough space for people to move around and guests can easily find a place to sit.
For those who love the great outdoors, try installing some bistro-style tables and chairs. Alternatively, consider purchasing some patio furniture and building a pergola; this will give you more room for hosting events like birthday parties or game nights.
Water features are a great addition for small backyards as they create a relaxing atmosphere while also giving it a contemporary look and feel.
In terms of lighting, string lights on your pergola or along the outer edges of your backyard will add a touch of ambiance while you're entertaining guests.
You can also opt to use paving or even grass in order to create smaller spaces for relaxing or entertaining guests.
Small backyard patio ideas
A small patio will give you a way to expand your entertaining space. If you want a cozy look for your patio, consider using bistro-style furniture and some soft, warm lighting.
Another good idea is to add a couple of flower-pots or statues around the edge of your small patio. In summer, try putting up an outdoor canopy that's tall enough to give you some shade while you're relaxing in your yard.
A small patio is a great place to host outdoor parties or family barbecues, so you should take into consideration how much space you have available. Try to create a square or rectangle that's large enough to accommodate all of your guests at one time.
When it comes to your patio layout, try using pavers in order to expand your space. Alternatively, you could lay some grass while leaving the outer edge of your patio bare so guests can stand or sit around it.
Modern landscape design for small spaces
Try using hardy plants like lavender if you want to design your small yard with a modern look and feel. Hardy plants are able to cope with different weather conditions and can therefore be grown in small gardens or patios.
Another great idea is to use slate paving stones; this will provide your yard with a contemporary and minimalistic look while also fitting well with most designs.
If you're looking for that pop of color, then try adding in a few exotic flowers or some bright green grass. You can do this easily by planting some annuals around the outside of your yard and even on top of existing walls and fences.
Patio furniture sets make it easy to create the perfect modern look in your yard. Even if you're designing a small space, there are some great designs that fit in perfectly with any type of decorating theme.
Conclusion
Remember that landscaping and designing a small backyard is all about compromise and making sure everything works well together.
Just because you have a small space, it doesn't mean you shouldn't give yourself and your family the backyard of your dreams.
If you want to learn more about backyard landscaping and get some inspiration for your own small yard, we've also written about:
- Creative garden ideas;
- Small front garden designs;
- And pool landscaping ideas.
Take a look at some of those ideas and you'll come up with your own unique ways to landscape your small backyard reflecting your own personal tastes.
