Not everyone can boast with a big backyard. A lot of people have to settle for tighter outdoor spaces, but that only means they need to apply a smarter design on a smaller scale. Whether you live in an apartment, townhouse, loft, or a house with a narrow and limited outdoor space, you can have beautiful backyard grass, plants, trees, plants, a patio with seating, and even a water feature.
If designed the right way, a tiny backyard can be gorgeous – all you need are a few clever landscaping ideas and steps to produce an aesthetically appealing and functional space for the family to enjoy.
Make a plan
It’s a general opinion that if you keep a small yard open and loosely planned that it would make it feel spacious, but it’s quite the opposite. The key to a roomier feeling lies in the organization. You need to define the spaces in your backyard and assign them a specific purpose. For instance, delineate a dining/lounging area with a paved patio, and keep the play area separated from it with planters. Clearly defined spots will make the whole space appear bigger.
Choose the right plants
When planning your landscape, the general advice is to pick native or indigenous plants as this will assure you always have something growing in the yard throughout the year. For instance, in Western Australia, opt for native plants that can withstand the heat, sandy soil and salty winds, such as the Dwarf Bottlebrush and Coastal Rosemary.
If you want to have trees in your backyard, choose the kind that grows upwards instead of in width. Tall and thin trees will create the appearance of lush landscaping but don’t swallow up your space.
Take care of your small lawn
Even tiny backyards can have a small lawn which can be very helpful in opening up the area and making it seem less enclosed. However, due to Sydney and the Northern beaches extremely dry weather, most lawns suffer. This only means you shouldn’t give up but rely on professional help from lawn mowing services whose well-trained team experts have the knowledge and advanced techniques to tackle all issues in outdoor spaces. You’ll get critical advice on various strategies necessary to maintain a healthy lawn and garden, and any additional help you might need.
Artificial grass is also a good choice if you don’t have much time for mowing. It is available in various colors and textures so you can choose the one that is right for your backyard. Just make sure you contact artificial grass experts from Brisbane for proper installation so you can really enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home.
Think outside the box
To maximise a small space, you need to think outside the box. Think creatively in terms of making terraced landscaping – this can help a designated small space appear bigger. Terracing enables you to have more planting space plus, all the lower walls can double as seating.
Another practical idea is to have a pergola that you can cover with native Australian vines. The pergola will give more definition to your patio and provide the much-needed shade. Also, go vertical with your garden with wall planters or some DIY project of your own. For instance, you can upcycle plastic bottles into planters and hang them.
Create a destination
A small yard can seem much grander if you transform it into a destination. Create a comfortable room outdoor with a well-arranged deck incorporating a cosy seating area, a table and a grill. You can also add a fire pit, a garden swing or a water feature like a fountain. Any of these elements will make the space inviting and worth the visit.
The same window boxes that you put under your windows, you can also hang from the deck railing or place them around the deck, and they will add a ton of texture and colour. Choose furniture that is not bulky but can serve multiple purposes – be a seating bench and a storage box. If you love entertaining, get additional foldable chairs and collapsing tables that can easily be stored away when not needed.
In small backyards, space is the major concern when it comes to landscaping, but this doesn’t mean your patch of outdoors should stay bland and neglected. With the right ideas, tips and techniques listed here, you can have a tastefully designed, welcoming and functional backyard.
