A few special features can make a small backyard feel more inviting. For instance, a fire pit is an attractive and easy way to entertain friends on chilly nights.
A curved path gives a sense of dimension to a small yard. Plantings such as ‘Wolf Eyes’ dogwood add a pop of color. And a simple pond or fountain can create tranquility in a tiny outdoor space. Contact Landscaping Honolulu for more details.
1. Plants
If you want your yard to be a place you enjoy, you need to have plants in it. Whether you prefer grass or a mix of other types of greenery, having plants in your yard will increase its ecological value and beauty. Plants add wildlife habitat, serve as pollinator food and provide shade that will reduce air conditioning costs in the Summer. They also reduce soil erosion and runoff. If you choose the right types of plants and trees for your yard, they can even improve your property’s value.
If your yard is small, it can be challenging to find the right plants for your landscaping. To make your plantings successful, it’s important to understand your landscape’s growing and lighting conditions. This can be done by finding your plant hardiness zone and evaluating the light patterns of your yard throughout the day.
Another important consideration is wind exposure. High winds can have a negative impact on certain types of plants. For example, evergreens can suffer from wind burn, which can cause them to lose their luster and become brown.
To minimize this effect, select shrubs and perennials with a mature height and width that will fit in your space. This includes options like the Little Quick Fire Hydrangea with beautiful pink-red flowers and the Chinese Fringe tree with narrow upright branches.
It’s also a good idea to mix colors, textures and heights in your landscape to create visual interest. However, overdoing it can make your yard seem crowded and overwhelming. Try limiting your color palette to three to five colors and use them consistently throughout your landscape to create an overall cohesive look. This will also help ensure your plants will have a long life.
2. Fences
Fences aren’t just for marking property boundaries – they also add character and charm to any backyard. A well-designed fence can make your yard feel larger and provide privacy without obscuring the landscape. And it’s the perfect canvas to express your unique style.
For instance, picket fences with evenly spaced vertical boards can create a traditional look that makes your garden feel spacious. On the other hand, horizontal slat fences offer a modern design that can visually widen your outdoor space.
Another great way to use a fence is to build walkways that help direct traffic or highlight focal points. These are often popular features in small yards as they add a sense of order and can be designed to fit your space.
A fence can be used as a trellis for climbing plants, allowing you to grow flowers, herbs or vegetables. This is an excellent way to increase the value of your home as it can provide a visual impact in addition to a delicious food source.
Finally, fences can serve as a barrier to protect your garden from pesky wildlife that might be looking for a snack. Whether it’s squirrels, rabbits or deer, a fence can shield your plants and prevent them from being devoured.
As with other outdoor landscaping elements, there are a variety of fencing materials that can match your style and budget. Many fence contractors recommend repurposed wood or recycled material for a beautiful, rustic look at a lower cost. You can even find decorative alternatives like laser-cut panels and artistic motifs that combine beauty with functionality.
3. Lighting
Regardless of how beautiful and lush your yard is, it won’t be a true outdoor oasis without the right lighting. Without lights, your yard will be unusable after the sun goes down, which means you can’t take advantage of one of the best things about a backyard: enjoying it with family and friends after dark.
Landscape lighting not only lights up your landscape at night, but it also makes it safer and easier to use. It’s an important feature to include in any landscape, especially for small yards that may be harder to navigate after sunset.
You can create a safe walkway with the help of well lights that subtly illuminate walkways or steps, making it easy to walk around your yard at night. You can also use them to highlight features like trees, plants, and other hardscapes that you want to showcase.
Lighting up a yard can be a big investment, but it’s one that pays off over time. You can start small by adding a single light or path, then gradually add more as your budget and time allow. It’s a good idea to talk to a professional to ensure your lighting plan is well-thought out and will work for your space.
Even the smallest yards can have plenty of curb appeal with the right landscaping. A few sculpted hedges or topiaries can make your home look high-end, while a green wall of ivy can give a low-cost, cottage-style yard an expensive look. And you can go full-on sustainable by replacing grass with ground covers or xeriscaping, which reduces the amount of water used in your landscape and helps save money. By reducing the amount of grass you have to mow, you can free up more time to enjoy your yard.
4. Clutter
Visual clutter is a quick way to make a backyard look unkempt. Clutter can be from things like toys or extra furniture, so get rid of it to make your backyard look bigger and more inviting.
Even a small front yard can benefit from landscaping ideas to level up curb appeal and welcome visitors. A pathway with pavers or gravel is a nice touch and helps to direct foot traffic through the space, while a beautifully designed gate or front porch can add a more welcoming feel.
A large, mature tree can be a focal point for a small front yard. Frame the base with simple landscaping or a stone garden to let the tree shine. Add a showpiece plant, like a ring of orange tulips around this house from Mary Patton Design, to add an eye-catching pop of color.
A green wall is a great way to add flowers, herbs, or vegetables to your home without taking up floor space. Use trellises, hanging baskets, or hangers to create a floral wall that will enliven your backyard and beautify the home. Add a fire pit to the mix to encourage backyard entertaining and bring an intimate feel to your backyard.
5. Water
Water features like ponds and fountains can add a peaceful ambiance to your backyard. They aren’t just visually appealing, but they also act as natural stress relievers. Studies have shown that listening to the soothing sound of running water can reduce cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone. If you don’t have room for a pond or fountain, try adding a low water feature like a stream, waterfall, or a small koi pond to your backyard landscape. It’s important to make sure your yard has good drainage. If you don’t, your plants will spend more time soaking up excess water than they should, instead of absorbing it.
Even small front yards can benefit from landscaped features. Mary Patton Design matched the home’s architecture with minimal landscaping that softened the facade and helped it blend into the natural setting. The designers chose curved beds, low-lying greenery, and a mix of blooming bushes to create this balanced look.
For a low-maintenance backyard, choose ground covers that are easy to maintain and won’t take up too much space. Creeping phlox (Phlox subulata) is a great option, as it’s drought-tolerant and produces vibrant flowers in many colors. Ornamental grasses like Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans) are another low-maintenance choice, and they’re ideal for xeriscaping.
The smaller your backyard, the more important it is to keep it clear of clutter. Clutter can quickly turn your backyard into an eyesore and prevent you from enjoying the outdoors. A simple way to eliminate visual clutter is by using a backyard lighting system. String lights can be draped across trees and patios to light up the evening and create a warm and inviting atmosphere.