Don't let a small backyard cramp your style. Discover the clever landscaping secrets and smart design tricks that create the illusion of space and turn even the most compact backyard into a stunning private sanctuary big on style.
From Sarah's garden to yours
When house hunting, a decent backyard is almost always on the wish list, however, the days of the quarter acre dream are long gone, with original sized plots costing a small fortune. More often than not, they have been carved up to accommodate two or more homes with small yards or into apartments with a communal garden to be shared by all and managed by a contractor. The good news is that if you are determined to have that private outdoor space, no matter how small, you can use some clever landscaping and design ideas to make it feel like the spacious green haven you were hoping for.
Beyond the boundaries
Look at what you can see beyond the perimeter of the garden. Is there a tree, or interesting architectural feature like a beautiful building? Are there hills or a stunning view in the distance? These can all be incorporated into your design to create a ‘borrowed landscape.’ Include these in any plans you make by ensuring they are visible in the sight lines from within the garden or the house.
There is always the danger a neighbour will chop down a tree or a block of apartments could go up and obscure your scenic view, but while you have it, it makes sense to include these external features as they create a perception of depth and distance in the garden. The key is to make the visual transition from the garden to the feature a gentle one. You want to create the perception that you can wander from your garden off into the hills or the fancy building or that the large tree is actually at the bottom of your garden. It can also help to draw the desired feature into your garden by mimicking elements of it in your own garden to tie the two together.
Of course, there will also be elements beyond the garden you don’t want to see, so the clever use of plants and screens can accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.
Create an illusion
A small garden can feel smaller if you can see it all at once. Create the illusion of more space with meandering paths with their destinations hidden from view. You don’t need to create hedges or fences to block the view, but a border or several borders filled with perennial plants that are layered in height with the taller plants at the back of the garden and shorter plants at the front can create a sense of depth across the garden. The variety of plants will also create seasonal interest.
If you are keen for a bit of a project then you can add levels to the garden to elevate the garden from a blank canvas and allow the garden to draw you in or create an amphitheatre effect to admire as you entertain on your deck.
Flat fences can be abrupt and point out exactly where the edges of your garden are, reminding you how small your garden really is. By using climbers or vertical growing systems, you can disguise the fence and keep the mystery of an endless garden.
Mirrors or murals can be used as trompe l’oeil elements to create the perception on a bigger space. The mirror can be framed to look like a door or a window to make it seem like the garden you have created goes on in another direction. The disadvantage with this is birds can mistake it for another garden space and fly into it. Avoid using mirrors with bevelled edges as this can catch the sun at a certain angle and start a fire. If you are to go with a mural, don’t skimp on quality as it will detract from the garden and can create the opposite effect.
Go big
It may sound counter intuitive but a strong focal point like a large tree, statue or water feature and large pavers can make the place feel large. Just because the garden is small, you don’t want to highlight that by making everything small. Ordinarily, as we look off into the distance things naturally get smaller. By putting a large tree between the midpoint and the back, you are altering the expectation and the garden will feel bigger. Don’t overdo it though, too many large things will make the garden look too full.
Get the right kind of outdoor furniture
The opposite applies to your dining and seating areas. Avoid large chunky pieces as they can easily dominate the space and make it feel crowded. Slim elegant seating areas and tables create the perception of space. Even better, have some of the seating perform double duty as planters with wide edges for comfortable sitting that blend into the aesthetic of the overall garden.
Less is more
Just because the garden is small doesn’t mean you need to fill it with small accessories. A load of small pots, gnomes, fairies and other features will make the garden seem cluttered and small. Pick a few bold choices to reflect your personality.
Avoid too many colours as this bright riot of plants, containers or blooms can come across as chaotic and busy. A muted palette with pops of colour for interest can be more pleasing and restful to the eye.
There are many options to make your garden your private sanctuary that allows you to forget the outside world exists the moment you step into it. At the end of the day, it is your garden and there is no right or wrong way to lay it out or hard and fast rules that can cause you to compromise your preferences. But with a few clever tips and tricks you can make your garden seem far bigger than it actually both in size and personality.
