Tom Smith, Owner of Desert Designer Landscape & Development.
Photo courtesy of Desert Designer Landscape & Development
By Tom Smith | Owner of Desert Designer Landscape & Development in Tempe
Just because you have a small backyard space doesn’t mean it has to feel that way. Using a few landscaping tips and making smart choices on design choices can help you transform that small space into an inviting and friendly backyard area.
Here are a few ways to get started making your small backyard into a great area for all to enjoy.
Keep it simple
Adding extra elements to your space like furniture or too many plants can make your space feel cluttered and shut off. It is best to keep your landscaping as minimalistic as possible when you have a small area. Limit the number of plants. Do your best to use low-maintenance grasses and shrubs. Vertical gardening is also another consideration. Consider installing wall planters or a trellis to allow plants to grow on. As the plants grow up the trellis the eye of the person looks upwards toward the plant and makes the yard look larger. It also frees up ground space you can use for other plants you may want to grow.
Add different levels
Create new levels to your backyard space by building tiered decks or raised garden beds to help add depth to your area. These small additions can help break up the backyard into smaller sections that draw the eye to different aspects of the yard. By adding a few small steps or levels between the different areas of the yard can make it look larger and more imaginably thought out.
Create new sightlines
When you start out designing your outdoor space consider how you may view it. Look at the area beyond your yard and what views you may not want to block out. Avoid blocking these views by installing smaller shrubs, smaller trees or trees that take decades to grow. Use low-profile plants and consider the pathways you may build and gardens.
You probably bought your home partially because of the view. So, make sure you understand what plants you are buying, how large they will grow, how fast they will grow and where you plant them. Making sure you plant your flora and trees in the right spot is key in making sure your yard feels bigger than it really is and make sure you don’t lose what you wanted from your backyard in the first place.
Choose an interesting color palette
Just as you choose colors inside your home, it is just as important to do so on the outside. Consider the color of your outdoor furniture you most likely already have in mind. Consider the plants you have decided to plant around your home and in your backyard. Choose soft colors like light grays, whites, soft charcoals, to make your space feel larger. When looking to make your space look larger go with lighter colors. These will help brighten up the area and make it feel larger to the eye when looking at the yard.
Planning out your yard and using some imagination can make even the smallest of yards look larger than they really feel. Streamlining your landscaping, using light colors, and adding levels to your space will help elevate the overall look of your area creating an illusion of a bigger space where your friends and family can use for years to come.
Desert Designer Landscape & Development in Tempe, https://www.desertdesigner.net/ , specializes in individualized desert landscaping designs throughout the Valley.
