Small Yard Landscaping

Question: I have a small yard but want to landscape it and a terrace area to get the most impact possible, do you have any landscaping ideas for small yards? Benjamin, NJ.

By the way… Do you know what reveals your house and landscape, enhances the setting, extends the hours of enjoyment, provides safety and more? Answer Here!

Answer: Landscaping small yards does not mean you lose all landscape ideas and design elements. Some people have small front yards and other tiny back yards but you can still do a variety of things to make a small yard look great and use space wisely.

As with most landscaping projects, large or small, front yard or back, a japanese garden or accommodating a dog - planning the design is key. Everything from design, working with the space available to plants that fit the area but are not overpowering - spend the time and plan!

Be realistic, your space is limited so large boulders and rocks, a breath-taking flower garden, or a large pond are out. However, you can create a beautiful landscape to surround your home, and incorporate into your lifestyle with comfort.

Build Up Not Out

Since the space is "limited" build up using raised flower beds for your plants. You can do this easily yourself and save some money along the way. One positive of small yard landscaping is - your landscaping cost should also be lower - so enjoy that benefit.

Another landscape idea for small yards is to plant in containers only - container gardening is a great option for terrace landscaping to maximize space and impact. You can mix in seasonal colors and change things out when they "lose color."

Container gardening usually takes up less overall space and you can move the landscape around if needed for an outdoor party. The containers can also be part of the landscape design. Planters today come in so many size and shapes and have their own design flare.

Watch the Colors

When designing think about the colors you want your small yard to have. Colors can "effect" the space to give different perceptions. Cool colors like blue can actually make a space look larger. Plants like evergreens can offer your yard a feeling of largeness - Blue spruce and Alberta pine are good examples.

Don’t Rule Out a Rock Garden

Another landscaping idea to consider even for small landscape spaces is a small rock garden. Rock gardens when well-designed make attractive focal points, conversation topics and can offer unique features in small areas. Does your property have a little corner or nook on the property- even on a raised bed up against the house, will work for a small rock garden.

With small spaces take the time to choose the rocks carefully, find ones that complement each other. The same goes for the plants - choose plants that look like the go naturally with the rocks and will not spread out too much, you don’t want to cover the rocks. The purpose of the rock garden is to draw the eye - it doesn’t need to be massive.

Yes, You can have Water!

If a water feature is really what you want, it is possible for a small one in a limited landscape area. Small water features along the lines of serenity fountains can be purchased for outdoor use. You may even consider a birdbath to create a feeling of elegance to the small yard. A small water feature carries a lower price, lower maintenance and a lot of value compared to installing a large pond or backyard waterfall. Just like containers water features - fountains, birdbaths, small pools come in a variety of types and designs, you should be able to find one to fit the size and the look of your yard.

Even if small yards, the landscape design can enlarge the look of the space in an attractive manner. Take the steps to carefully consider the design, use small features and cool colors. Look at what would help give your small place of paradise a touch of elegance, one you feel relaxed in, offers entertainment value and fits your lifestyle.

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