Having a small backyard doesn’t mean you can’t have everything you want like landscaping, garden beds and an outdoor living space! With some planning and creativity, you can turn your small outdoor area into your dream space by just using small backyard landscape design ideas. Whether you are looking for small backyard landscape ideas with a fire pit or just some small backyard inspiration, we have beautiful ideas that you can recreate in your home.
As the proud owner of a small, long, and narrow backyard, I struggled with coming up with a small backyard landscape design that wouldn’t overwhelm the space. After renovating an entire home, our budget was drained so we had to do the landscaping ourselves. I have learned many tips and tricks that have helped transform my yard and I am here to share them all with you. We cover small backyard landscape design ideas with no grass, ideas for planters and cozy fire pit corners you can copy!
In this blog post, we will show you small backyard landscape design ideas that will inspire you. From vertical gardens to fun water features, we will dive into everything you need to know to make your backyard dreams come true!
This post is all about small backyard landscape design.
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How To Maximize A Small Backyard?
Here are some ways that you can maximize a small backyard:
- Add landscaping around the perimeter of your yard
- Build a firepit
- Invest in seating for outdoor entertaining
- Add lighting
- Try vertical landscaping
- Keep the center of the yard clear
- Invest in storage solutions like a deck box or shed
Best Small Backyard Landscape Design Ideas
1. Small City Backyard Idea: Vertical Gardens
Make the most out of your yard space by creating vertical gardens by using climbing plants, hanging pots, and trellises. The vertical garden also make a great decorative focal point in the yard.
This is one of the simplest and cutest small city backyard ideas. This look was created by using sleek small black pots with loads of greenery. Check out our blog post for more info on how to transform your small backyard patio.
TRY CREATING A VERTICAL VEGETABLE GARDEN.
VEGETABLES THAT GROW IN SMALLER SOIL DEPTHS (4-5 INCHES):
- Chives
- Lettuce
- Radishes
- Basil
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We suggest these black planters from Amazon for your vertical garden because of their awesome drainage system and budget friendly price tag!
2. Cozy Seating Nooks in Your Small Backyard Landscape Design
Create a cozy corner in your backyard with comfy furniture and soft cushions that can turn your yard’s corner into a relaxing area for entertaining. Don’t forget to add a fire pit in your small backyard’s seating area for that extra cozy touch!
This small backyard landscape design is truly very simple and could easily be achieved if you are on a budget. It’s as simple as adding a rock bed under a metal fire pit for both design and comfort.
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3. Compact Water Features
Install a small fountain or a cascading waterfall to incorporate a spa like water feature in your backyard. We have a small solar water fountain in our backyard garden and love the relaxing noises from it! This is a small backyard feature that makes the backyard feel like an oasis.
4. Magical Lighting
Adding outdoor lighting to your yard will create a cozy vibe at night. You can do this using solar powered string lights, lanterns, or solar powered path lights. Check out our blog post on how to DIY string lights in your backyard!
5. Mirror Illusion
It may sound strange, but try hanging mirrors on your outdoor walls or fences to give the illusion of a larger space and also help reflect natural light.
This small backyard landscape idea is perfectly placed on a wall that would otherwise be dead space. Now this wall reflects light off of the home and almost mimics the appearance of a window.
6. Miniature Zen Garden
Turn you little backyard area in a zen spa like garden with pretty stones and plants to bring peace and relaxation to your outdoor space. This small backyard garden idea incorporates different textures and elements that set it aside from a traditional landscape design.
7. Multi Purpose Furniture
Invest in furniture pieces that have multiple purposes, like benches with built-in storage or folding tables to save space when they aren’t needed. This small backyard multi purpose table is one of a kind and will leave all of your guests in awe!
8. Compact Fire Pit
A small fire pit can be a cozy addition to your small dream backyard. This is one of the best small backyard design ideas on a budget because it doesn’t require much landscaping at all! Let the fire pit be the star of the show!
BEST PLACES TO BUY FIRE PITS:
9. Small Backyard Landscape Plans with a Pergola
Just because you have a small backyard, doesn’t mean you can’t have a pergola. Install a pergola or shade sail to protect you from the sun and also elevate your space. Try installing the pergola on the back patio to serve as an extension of the home for entertaining.
COPY THIS SMALL BACKYARD IDEA:
We adore this pergola from Wayfair because it has built in planters that you can fill with seasonal plants. Don’t forget to hang string lights from the top of the pergola to add light in your backyard’s landscape. A pergola is the best way to add simple small backyard landscaping ideas.
10. Hanging Planters
Use hanging planters to bring greenery to make the most out of your vertical space and also add a pop of color. This is one of our favorite tricks for small backyards with no grass and limited space.
BEST PLANTS FOR HANGING PLANTERS:
- SPIDER PLANTS
- PANSIES
- BEGONIAS
- PETUNIAS
- FUCHSIAS
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11. Minimal Landscaping with Stepping Stones
Design custom stepping stones to create a pathway for easy access to your backyard. We love this modern landscape design for small spaces that would otherwise be unused. This idea doesn’t take much landscaping to make the area feel polished and modern.
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We recommend these two planters from Amazon are a steal for under $100 for the pair! Place them near your front door for an easy and low maintenance landscaping design idea.
12. Small Backyard Landscape Ideas On A Budget: Outdoor Rug
An outdoor rug to the perfect decor item to define your seating area and add a cozy touch to your patio. Even though this technically isn’t a landscaping idea, an outdoor rug can help elevate your outdoor space quickly and on a budget.
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TIP: Place your outdoor rug over any imperfections on your patio such as cracked concrete or stains!
13. Edible Garden
Plant a small vegetable or herb garden to enjoy fresh veggies right from your own backyard! In a small backyard, we recommend creating a kitchen garden like this in an unused corner or even in a raised garden bed on the patio. Check out our guide on how to make your own raised garden bed with legs.
VEGETABLES THAT GROW WELL IN RAISED GARDEN BEDS:
- RADISHES
- BEETS
- KALE
- CARROTS
- SPINACH
- LETTUCE
HERBS THAT GROW WELL IN RAISED GARDEN BEDS:
- BASIL
- MINT
- SAGE
- LAVENDER
- OREGANO
- CHIVES
- PARSLEY
- CILANTRO
14. Tiered Planters
Tiered planters are the perfect way to grow different plants and flowers without taking up too much of your floor space. If you live in an apartment, townhouse or just have a small area to work with, this is the perfect backyard idea for you!
15. Vertical Herb Wall
Create a herb wall by adding pots to your fence or wall, for a convenient herb garden right in your own backyard. Like we have mentioned before, if you don’t have much space or any space at all just try to brighten the backyard with this idea!
BEST HERBS TO GROW IN SMALL CONTAINERS:
- CHIVES
- PARSLEY
- DILL
- MINT
- THYME
- ROSEMARY
- CILANTRO
- CHAMOMILE
16. Mini Pond
Install a small pond with plants and even some fish to create a calming and beautiful feature. We love this small backyard landscape design idea that is right off of the patio.
17. Recycled Materials
Repurpose unused or old items like wooden pallets to create a unique garden and also save you money. Guys this idea is so cute and affordable! Wooden pallets are also great to lay flat on the ground and plant vegetables in.
BEST LOW MAINTENANCE FLOWERS FOR LANDSCAPING:
- BLACK EYED SUSANS
- CONEFLOWERS
- DAFFODILS
- MARIGOLDS
- SHRUB ROSES (OUR FAVORITE AND SO EASY TO CARE FOR!)
- PANSIES
- VIOLAS
18. Add Playful Accents
Show off your style by adding cute garden decor, bright sculptures or garden stones, to add personality into your backyard. Adding these unexpected areas to your landscaping will set your home apart from the others and make it feel homey!
19. Create Privacy with Shrubs
If you struggle with creating a privacy in your small backyard, check out our blog post on everything you need to know to grow a privacy hedge. Choosing what privacy bushes and trees for your yard can be difficult for someone who doesn’t have a green thumb. We can understand how overwhelming the options can be! We have broke it down into the 9 best privacy bushes and privacy bush ideas.
BEST PRIVACY SHRUBS AND BUSHES:
- GREEN GIANTS
- JUNIPERS
- BEAUTYBERRY PLANT
- EMERALD GREEN ARBORVIATES
- LEYLAND CYPRESS
- PRIVET
- CHERRY LAUREL
- SPOTTED LAUREL
- BORDER FORSYTHIA
- CAMELLIA JAPONICA
20. Compact BBQ Station
Install a small BBQ area into your small backyard patio for entertaining and to extend your cooking space.
21. Focal Point Planters
Add some fun planters with beautiful flowers and plants to make your small backyard beautiful.
BEST FLOWERS FOR PLANTERS:
- PETUNIAS
- ZINNIAS (OUR FAVE)
- MARIGOLDS
- COSMOS
- CONE FLOWERS
- LAVENDER
- DAHLIAS
- HOSTAS (GOOD FILLER)
This post was all about small backyard landscape design.
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