How do you make a small garden feel larger?
“Robust and deeply saturated colors in your flowers, shrubs, and small trees can actually make your space appear brighter and bigger,” says Parker, the landscape architect. She also notes that drawing the eye up is vital in a small space: “If you are fortunate enough to have an open sky, this will always add an expansive feeling. Do not fill up your entire sky and horizon view with a large tree.” In a small backyard with limited outdoor space and no open skies, “draw your eyes up with a tall and textured wall,” Parker suggests. “This could be made of vertical columnar trees, a tall fence or gridded lattice covered with vines, or an actual living wall with embedded plants. You can balance this tall feature as you scale in front of it with layered, smaller plant material and beautiful planted pots.”
Designer Mary Patton adds that maximizing every inch of usable space is key, whether you’re going to DIY or enlist a landscape design firm. “If a certain area is too shaded to grow anything, a row or section of black star gravel or crushed granite helps create a clean finished look,” Patton says.
What’s the key to making a small garden feel luxurious?
Researching what flourishes in your particular region (and with your level of sun exposure) in a low-maintenance way is vital when it comes to garden design, Patton says. Reflective surfaces, too, can supply a sense of luxury and gloss, Parker explains—much like good jewelry does on an otherwise simple outfit. “This can be in the form of a wall mirror that can be the backing for a lattice or a fence frame, or in tabletops and other furniture. Be sure to use high quality furniture and make sure it is comfortable!” And don’t forget to add seating areas—complete with outdoor rugs in the outdoor living room— at every opportunity. “When you use every corner in a small garden, you have an opportunity to create as much magic as possible,” Parker says of patio ideas in a tiny backyard.
How do you decorate a small garden in style?
“Think about supplementing your plantings with annuals for seasonal plantings and interest—not unlike a chef who adds seasonal dishes to a restaurant menu,” says Simon Prunty, partner at landscape architecture firm Hoerr Schaudt. “Keep your focus on high-quality outdoor materials for furniture and accessories, and keep it clean, tidy, and regularly maintained.” Patton loves vintage planters by Willy Guhl, which supply texture and are also great perches for veggies and small patio flower beds. Parker looks for glass candle holders in strong, simple shapes. “Rechargeable battery-operated lanterns and candles add soft light and a cozy atmosphere,” she says. Here, other small backyard ideas that are space-saving, but not short on style. Your front yard will be jealous.
Is a pool a good idea for a small backyard?
Hot tubs can fit practically anywhere, but a pool can also be a great idea for a small backyard—if you choose the right type and plan thoughtfully. “Both cocktail and plunge pools are excellent options for small backyards, but they differ in size and function,” says Joseph Richardson of Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture in Washington, DC. “A plunge pool is ideal if you’re looking for a compact space to cool off and unwind…. These pools are typically deep and small, ranging from about 75 to 150 square feet.”
Another option? The cocktail pool, which Richardson says “usually requires a bit more space—around 150 to 300 square feet—and often includes built-in benches or seating areas. It’s a great choice if you want a multipurpose space for relaxing, entertaining, and light soaking.” That said, “it’s not just the size of the pool itself you need to consider. You also have to account for the surrounding space,” Richardson notes, including pool equipment, decking, and even modest seating areas, which “can add 100 to 200 square feet or more.” To elevate the ambience without expanding the footprint, Richardson suggests adding “a sleek waterfall, fountain, or a spillover spa edge,” and incorporating “LED pool lights, underwater color changers, and well-placed landscape lighting” to make the most of the space—even after sunset.
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