#Small landscape design ideas how to

This immediately ensures that the eye moves seamlessly from space to space. It also reflects the light, helping to make the space feel bigger.Īnother design tip is to create a visual link between inside and out: think about using similar flooring to your property’s interior. Standing water with a subtle ripple or movement evokes gentleness, calm and softness. It is easier than you think to make a small yard look nice yet remain practical.Ĭonsider the use of water. Would you prefer to look back at the house or outwards to a prominent focal point in the distance for example? How can I make my small yard look nice? By altering it, you can turn a generous space into one that feels enclosed or intimate in a warm, sunny spot or a cool, shady area.Įqually, the view will be altered depending on the orientation of the terrace. Think about the orientation of your small backyard too, as it can change the overall feel immensely. It’s the perfect antidote after a busy working week. In urban areas particularly, an easily accessed space, which feels comfortable and generous in its proportions, allows for relaxation and calm. It’s important to put generosity of space and a sense of place at the heart of your design. There is so much that you can do with a small backyard, no matter how tiny. You may not have the space for pool ideas within a small backyard, but you needn't dismiss the opportunity to introduce a holiday vibe – an outdoor shower can be a great chance to cool off and, clad with brightly patterned tiles, will allow you to create a bold color scheme that you can match with planting. (Image credit: Genna Margolis / Amy Bartlam) So you can start with small deck ideas and then create a larger area that could include balustrades and even a small fence to provide an element of garden privacy and enhance a shade garden. The beauty of decking too, is that you can add to it over time. The combination of natural wood, harmonious planting and a carefully chosen accessory or two (like this smooth concrete fire table) works every time.

Hardwood boards are available in a range of different woods and colors, from light to dark, which means you can customise your deck with a shade that suits you. They also look better than softwood ridged decking, which needs more work and isn’t as long lasting. They are a practical option for small backyards as they’re durable, require minimal maintenance and last for years. 9.For an easy combination of good looks and longevity, smooth hardwood deck boards from a responsible source are the go-to option. Deck is a great way to enhance your small backyard space, as it can be used to zone an area that’s purely for outdoor dining. Plant up with self-naturalising bulbs (snowdrops, for example), or wildflower plug plants for extra visual appeal. They also suggest to grow long grass on steep banks for an informal look. Plant through the matting – as it decays, the plants should start to secure themselves by their roots. On very steep slopes, try pegging down coarse coconut matting to prevent the soil from washing away when it rains. They say that soil in these conditions is often poor, so be sure to prepare it properly, removing all weeds and adding well-rotted manure or good quality compost where possible. If you're looking to cover a steeper slope in plants, then the RHS has some guidance.

#Small landscape design ideas how to

Want to recreate the look? Take a look at our tips on how to grow hydrangeas to get started. Not to mention, they provide tons of visual interest and color.

Large hydrangeas, flame-hued crocosmias, an evergreen hedge, and teetering hollyhocks draw the eye upwards and merge the lines between lawn, border, and architecture in a seamless fashion.

However, to keep the look cohesive, try a few design tricks from the garden shown above.Īs you can see, the house is much higher than the lawn, yet the boundaries between the two are softened with the use of planting. Instead of carving out hard landscaping solutions for your tiered garden ideas, you might prefer to go a little more natural with soft slopes.