How to Make a Small Yard Look Super Sized
Not everyone is lucky enough to have a huge yard. Young people are generally looking for apartments, condos, and smaller houses with roommates so they can save some money on rent. However, having a yard, even a small one, is important to a lot of people. Plant sales have gone up and gardening is becoming more popular than ever. Many people see gardening as a fun way to relax and grow your own fruits and veggies is a great way to save money. You might be stuck with a small yard for your gardening hobby, but PatioProductions.com is here to help with some tips and tricks to make your small backyard look bigger than you would’ve thought possible.
Landscaping
1. Create Zones
Although creating separate spaces in your yard sounds counterproductive, distinct areas in your yard actually opens the space up and makes it feel bigger. Establishing one space for a garden and one space for dining/lounging is an easy way to separate your yard. Rather than straight walkways from one zone to the other, try to make it winding so it feels like a longer trip. An easy way to break up the area is by purchasing or building your own garden arbor. This will make it feel like you’re entering a completely different backyard.
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2. Changing Elevation
Changing the elevation in your backyard is a solid way to make your space feel bigger. It helps interrupt the space and gives depth to your small area. Easy options include a raised garden bed or planter boxes. If you’re feeling a little handier, you could try out an elevated or sunken patio.
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3. Create a Focal Point
Creating a focal point in your backyard serves a dual purpose. The first benefit is that it creates a theme for your backyard. If you have a focal point it allows you to pick furniture, plants, and yard accessories that compliment the focal point. A second benefit is that it draws peoples eyes to something and makes the yard feel less cluttered overall.
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4. Letting in Natural Light
It’s important to avoid overhead yard accessories like pergolas or gazebos if you’re working with a smaller yard. These have a tendency to make the space feel too enclosed and even smaller. Having a clear view of the sky and open space above your head will make your yard feel much bigger!
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5. Using Hardscapes
Hardscapes allow you to incorporate a new design element into your backyard that has multiple functions. If you’re not too hip on the idea of backyard upkeep, hardscapes are much lower maintenance than grass, plants, etc. An added benefit is that you can add in seating elements to your hardscape. This is ideal when working with a small yard space.
6. Limiting the Lawn
Although this seems counter-intuitive, limiting the actual size of your lawn can be beneficial. Instead of making the lawn as big as you can, try filling it with plants, flowers, and other focal points. This will help distract from the lack of literal lawn space.
7. Cater to the Senses
This is another kind of distraction from the size of the space you’re working with. Use flowers, plants to provide unique smells, ponds and water features for different sounds, etc. Even if this doesn’t completely distract from the small yard, these are some cool additions to any backyard.
Backyard Furniture
8. Bistro Sets
One of the most basic ways to make your small yard look bigger is by choosing the correct furniture for the space. Similar to small room design, the key is to use furniture that you can see through. Big solid furniture will only make your space look smaller and more cramped. We recommend small bistro sets.
In this example, the chairs and table are made from cast aluminum and wicker. The open design allows you to look right through the furniture, which tricks your brain into thinking there’s more space than there actually is. Another option that captures a similar feeling is Acapulco chairs.
Here you can see the same idea as the previous bistro set. The height of the patio furniture draws your eye upwards and the design of the Acapulco chairs allows you to look right through the furniture.
9. Folding Chairs
Another great way to maximize space in your small yard is to utilize collapsible furniture. If you’re entertaining more guests than usual or simply want more space, we highly recommend taking a look at some folding chair options. They’re quick and easy to put away and they also don’t take up too much room. Check out this awesome set:
A teak folding dining chair – view our collection of Teak Dining Furniture
10. Portable Options
We touched on this briefly when mentioning folding chairs, but portability can also apply to play sets. If you have young kids and want them to be able to play in the yard but don’t want to commit to a permanent play set, don’t worry! There are plenty of options available so it doesn’t stay a permanent fixture in your yard.
11. Dual Purpose Furniture
Dual purpose furniture is extremely popular when designing for smaller spaces. Having pieces of furniture that act as storage, seating, and look good are the key to making your backyard feel bigger. Saving space is the motto and we have a couple of options that are our go-to pieces when looking to save space.
And one more trendy space saving option for you:
Millenia Lounge Side Table With Storage
Other than buying furniture that compliments your backyard space, or lack thereof, there are some options for maximizing your yard that don’t include purchasing furniture.
Gardening
12. Vertical Spaces
Another tip is to use the space around you to grow up instead of out. Many small yards are fenced in and have a tendency to feel a little claustrophobic. A great way to beat that feeling is by using planter boxes, hanging pots, or plants that are long and dangle down the walls.
13. Make the Most of Your Side Yard
Side yards are tough because usually, they’re just a walkway or slowly become a kind of storage space. It’s hard to put a lot of time and energy into them because they’re not the center of attention like the front or back yard. Use the lack of foot traffic as inspiration to create a quiet cozy getaway from the busyness of everything else. A couple chairs and a few of your favorite plants are really all that it takes.
14. Using Plants for Privacy
Fences and other man-made barriers have a tendency to make us feel trapped. If your yard is completely fenced in because you value your privacy, it’s probably frustrating that it makes your yard feel smaller. One option is to use plants for privacy! They’re not as abrupt as wood fencing and will blend in with your space much better.
15. Gardening in Containers
If you’re low on space and don’t have the luxury of your plants and flowers growing wild in your yard, containers are a great option for you. They are a good way to keep everything contained in a smaller space. Additionally, the upkeep is much easier.
16. Hardworking Plants
Finally, choosing plants that can survive all year is a great way to keep some color and foliage in your yard. If everything is dead and gone, your yard can look even smaller and uninviting. Check out some options from Gardening Know How that will keep you busy year round.
Making your small yard look supersized is certainly no easy feat. We’re hoping our recommendations can at least point you in the right direction! These 16 tips could be yard changing. We’re here to help you enjoy the outdoors to the best of your ability.
Mike Bowman is currently the technical product manager and lead editor at Patio Productions. He has worked in the furniture industry as a copywriter, developer, and content creator for the last 14 years, among other roles. An avid DIY-er, he loves to experiment with furniture, landscape design, and home improvement in his own home.
