A compact yard means less maintenance and lower plant costs, but it doesn’t mean sacrificing your vision.
Sometimes, good things really do come in small packages. Having a compact yard means less maintenance and lower plant costs, but it doesn’t necessarily require sacrificing your vision of the perfect yard. If you intentionally use your space, you can make your property functional and attractive. Here are a few creative landscape design ideas for small spaces.
Plan Your Landscape
Creating a picturesque landscape design starts with a vision. You want your design to be well-thought-out, not pieced together without a unifying concept. Analyze your landscape, take measurements, and sketch out what you want the space to look like, taking the time to view your yard from different angles and considering neighboring yards for inspiration. Try finding an aesthetic that’s cohesive with the design choices inside of your house, if applicable.
Prioritize Flexibility
Every square foot counts in a small yard design. It is best to design for multiple uses within a single backyard space. Choose furniture that can be moved as needed, and keep edges clear to allow for open circulation and long sight lines. Avoid dividing up usable spaces with barriers like walls or built-in seating, and remove thick rows of plants to keep edges clear. Pockets of flowers for punctuation are great, but keep most edges between spaces wide open.
Maximizing openness and minimizing clutter makes spaces functionally adaptable. They also make them feel bigger, which is a good default goal for most small yards.
Go Vertical
One way to create the illusion of space is to experiment with vertical landscaping. Adding features like living walls, climbing vines, and columnar trees and shrubs force the eye to consider the height and help soften hard surfaces like fences and walls. You can also add hanging planters on a fence or below the kitchen window to maximize growing space and add visual curb appeal.
Choose Smaller Furniture
One of the largest space wasters is bulky furniture, such as oversized chairs or patio sectionals. While having comfortable backyard furniture is vital if you are entertaining guests or enjoying relaxing summer evenings with family, you should always aim for smaller, more compact seating if your outdoor landscape is on the smaller side.
Questions? Lehnhoff’s Supply is Here to Help
If you still have more questions about landscape design this spring and summer, the trained professionals at Lehnhoff’s Supply are here to help you.
Find us at 2708 Belair Road, Fallston, MD 21047 and give us a call at 410-510-7646. For tips, tricks, and to see what we have been up to, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
We serve but aren’t limited to, the following parts of Maryland: Harford County – Fallston, Forest Hill, Joppa, Edgewood, Bel Air, Churchville, Havre de Grace, Jarrettsville, Street, Aberdeen, Abingdon, and Joppatowne. In Baltimore County: Kingsville, Perry Hall, Overlea, Fullerton, Nottingham, Parkville, Towson, Carney, Loch Raven, Lutherville, Timonium, Hunt Valley, Cockeysville, Sparks, Glyndon, Pikesville, Reisterstown, Ruxton, Parkton, Glen Arm, Baldwin, Monkton, Long Green, White Marsh, Rosedale, Phoenix, and Fork.
