You have limited space in your backyard, but you still want to maximize what you have. Don’t let the lack of space stop you from taking action. Do you want to get crafty and creative and bring more value to your backyard? We’ve reviewed the top 10 small backyard ideas that give you more fun and functionality to your area.
Small Backyard Ideas to Make Them Look Spacious and Cozy
When Less Is More
Look at the positive side of having a small space to work with: it’s easier to manage and keep up with. More people are embracing a minimalist lifestyle these days. Minimalism is all about living with less. If your circumstances already call for you to do so, you can embrace this new perspective with our small backyard ideas.
Can living with less stuff change your life for the better? You can experiment with these small backyard ideas and judge for yourself. When you have smaller amounts of space, you’ll notice quickly when clutter builds up. When you’re more mindful of being clear of clutter, you get to reap the benefits of your space through experience, rather than through stuff.
Set a Plan and Make a Move
Are you thinking of great ideas, then you find yourself not getting around to doing them? Ask yourself what’s holding you back. Are you unsure if your idea will work for your space? Well, see if your thoughts resemble any of our 10 small backyard ideas, and you can begin there.
We’ve reviewed options you can begin immediately and with relative ease. By Including a few of these small backyard ideas, you’ll be personalizing your space and making it more welcoming. By setting out a simple plan of actions, you’ll be on your way to having a refurbished backyard you’ve wanted to have.
1. Side Garden
Features
Do you have a green thumb? If you really want to have a garden to tend to, then go for it. A side garden can fit within a small space while still giving you the enjoyment that comes with tending to any size garden. As far as best small backyard ideas go, side gardens are especially good if the space is narrow and long. You can enhance a narrow in-ground bed with a row of potted plants.
For starters, determine whether the side yard is mainly shady or sunny, and whether you prefer to have soil to tend. If having the soil in the ground is a challenge, you can always use container gardens or raised beds.
2. Mosaic Path
Features
Mosaics are often associated with works of art. It’s a kind of art that can be seamlessly brought into your small backyard. A detailed mosaic path will bring extra color and depth into your backyard. You can choose from a variety of eclectically shaped stones. Whether you want uniformity and sleekness, or asymmetry and whimsical accents, you can personalize the design of your mosaic path.
All you have to do is collect your stones and sort them into the pattern you want. Then you lay a base, set the stones, and let the concrete secure them into place. This is a feature that can have a big impact on the appearance of your backyard.
3. Outdoor Livingroom
Features
Is comfy and cozy your style? A small backyard can be easily converted into a place where you can relax. In doesn’t take too much to create the effects of a comfortable living room. Based on the shape of your space, all you’ll need is some strategically placed chairs and a coffee table or folding table. You can also add some of your own personal touches. Planters, hanging plants and flowers will add to the vibe your creating.
Remember that part of the ambiance will be your lighting. You can choose between lamps, candle holders, or the beloved outdoor string lights.
4. Small Fountain
Features
Surely, you’ve surely seen a backyard with a fountain before and noticed the vitality it brings. Would you like to incorporate a water element to your backyard surroundings? A small fountain will do the trick. The good news is that fountains also come in all shapes and sizes. What kind of look are you going for? You can have a rustic fountain comprising stacked wooden barrels, a tiered cast stone fountain, or one that is more ornate and made of elegant metals.
Choose the style and once you implement it, you’ll see how it enhances your vertical space.
5. Grassy Nook
Features
Why not make your small backyard space look greener? If you love grass and enjoy spending your time manicuring a lawn, you can still do so with a small place. You just have to designate a grassy nook within your yard. It will be a manageable area of grass for you to cut, water, fertilize, and weed. If you feel that real grass will be too much to maintain an up-keep, there’s the faux-grass option to consider. Artificial grass only comes with an upfront cost, around $5 to $20 per square foot to install.
This will give you the same illusion of luscious lawn, but much less work in the long term. Artificial grass can also be stain-resistant, while having excellent drainage.
6. Vertical Box Garden
Features
When it comes to small garden ideas, you must consider thinking vertically. Instead of more traditional horizontal planting, you’ll want to take advantage of the limitless space above. You can use a number of items, from wood trellis, or tin cans, or pot hangers to create a layered vertical look. You can hang tiered baskets or recycled coffee cans, you name it. If minimalistic and clean is your aesthetic, then try stacked wood boxes for a vertical garden attached to the side of your home.
You can even stain a wooden bookshelf and angle it as a wall. Another beautiful and functional choice is a lattice vertical garden. You can connect an irrigation system at the center of the lattice adding PVC pipes with holes for water distribution.
7. Murphy Bar
Features
Sitting outside next to your Murphy Bar is such a chill way to hang out with a friend. A compact folding bar is a smart solution for anyone who wants a great instant bar in a small space. Just open and pull down the bar top, grab two bar stools, and you’re ready to go. It’s a minimalist option, but can still be very stylish with wood processing. You can purchase a Murphy Bar or you can even build your own. There are reasonably priced designs you can choose from in Home Goods stores, or online shops like Etsy.
If you’re crafty with small construction projects, making your Murphy Bar might be just the thing to give your backyard a personal flare. It’s such a great addition and takes up little space.
8. Succulent Wall
Features
Of all the small backyard ideas, the succulent wall is the most dramatic. If you really want to make a statement, you can either create your own or purchase one that’s already made. If you haven’t experienced it before, it’s like having a living wall of succulents as your art. It’s decorative, and will appear to be a one-of-kind attraction within your space. If you make it yourself, all you have to do is buy a preassembled frame with a mesh backing.
On one side of the mesh you put your soil, and on the other put the assortments of succulent cuttings you’ve prepared to display. After the plants have rooted for 6-12 weeks, you can hang them vertically in their desired spot.
9. Corner Seating
Features
Designating a seating area is one of the best small garden ideas to draw attention while being a strong focal point. No matter how small your garden, you can choose a corner and build it up. Keep your furniture of a small scale since you don’t want it to be obtrusive or too overpowering. Choosing the right scale and sizes can make your backyard will feel bigger. What kinds of seating do you prefer? Good choices are benches without backs or slim metal chairs.
Your seats can blend into the landscape and fit with what’s around them. Tiered planters will maximize the ground space you have available for planters and herb boxes.
10. Neat and Squared
Features
Stepping stones are an affordable way to spruce up your backyard, whether you have a lawn or concrete. It’s a great way to connect different elements of your landscaping. You can also use it to create the effect of a divider, depending on your needs.
You can make your backyards neat and squared in a variety of ways. You can dig holes and combine mixtures of cement, then install stones in their patterns.
This is one of our small backyard ideas that might be more labor-intensive, but it’s a task you might enjoy doing with a friend.
Conclusion
Your backyard is just as valuable as another room in your house, so treat it accordingly. Be sure to plan and define your space. Take the suggestions we’ve shared with you here from our review of the 10 best small backyard ideas, and go wild.