12 Modern Landscaping Ideas for Small Yards

You don't need a big space to create a backyard oasis.

We filled this list with the best modern landscaping techniques for small yards. These tips and tricks play with perspective to help you create the illusion that your outdoor space is bigger than it is.

You can't increase your yard's square footage, so we left out landscaping ideas that only apply to full-size spaces. Whether you have a few hundred square feet or just a balcony, there are tips on this list you can use.

Frame Your Space

Adding structures to a small space might seem counterintuitive, but putting in a pergola or arbor can help provide perspective. Ultimately, this makes a small yard look bigger than it is.

If you don't want to use a wooden or metal structure, go organic with trees and shrubs. Use them to frame a backyard table or sitting area.

Think Outdoor Room

Instead of thinking of your outdoor space as a yard, think of it as another room in your house. A simple deck or paver patio can create the floor. Line it with boxwoods and ornamental grasses, like ice dance sedges, to create contrasting “walls.”

Then, add a seating area, an umbrella, and a few potted plants. You've effectively just increased the square footage of your house.

Break It Up

Breaking a small space into even smaller pieces seems like the wrong move. But we promise this tactic works.

Try creating a small seating area in one corner, an area for your grill and dining table in another, and perhaps a fountain or other small structure in a third. Then, use paths and borders to outline the spaces. Your yard will end up looking much larger than it actually is.

Think Up

When you don't have a lot of ground space, it's time to change tactics. In other words, it's time to think up.

Vertical gardens are great for small spaces and have several benefits. Use containers, fences, or “living walls” to maximize space, lower air pollution, and decrease summer temperatures in your garden.

Try Manicured Borders

Adding borders to your garden will instantly improve its appearance, regardless of its size. When doing this, keep in mind that you don't need to sacrifice height, even in a small space.

Adding a row of upright evergreens like North Pole arborvitaes behind a row of shorter, brighter-colored plants creates visual interest. North Pole arbovitaes are naturally tall but narrow, making them perfect for tight spaces.

Use Color Correctly

Bright colors instantly draw the eye. So, you'll want to highlight them in a small space.

By placing bold, blooming plants in the spotlight, you'll attract attention to the center of your garden. The rest of the space will recede, making it seem bigger than it actually is.

Go For Straight Lines

If you want to trick yourself and others into thinking your backyard is more spacious than it is, try using long, straight lines. Straight lines trick the mind into thinking a space has more depth than it really has.

You can amplify the effect by slowly narrowing the lines toward a focal point. This is easy to do with lines of tall flowering plants or other shrubs.

Freestanding Planters Are Your Friends

Freestanding planters are ideal for growing vertical gardens. They're also great for breaking up a space. Both of these techniques are ideal for small landscapes.

Freestanding planters come in many sizes, shapes, and textures. Use a coordinating set to make your space look more manicured.

Add Lights

Outdoor spaces, regardless of size, look better with lights. However, small gardens can especially benefit from well-placed lighting.

Use spotlights to highlight well-placed focal points, string lights to amplify seating areas, and ground lights to emphasize borders and paths.

Go Big With Foilage and Texture

If you have only a small patio, it's better to go big and bold. Large containers with luscious foliage will make your tiny garden look like a tropical paradise rather than a minuscule concrete space.

To achieve this look, choose plants with several shades of green, bold blooms, and textured leaves. Ideally, the tallest plants will stand higher than your eye line, creating a shady privacy screen.

Build Unexpected Showstoppers

Your yard might be small, but chances are there are still some unused spaces. That corner next to the garage or shed you've been neglecting is a great spot to create an unexpected oasis.

All you need is a centerpiece, like an oversized container, bird bath, or tree. Then, surround it with smaller, complimentary plants.

Keep It Simple

One way to make your tiny space feel large is to focus on a few similar plants and nothing else. Streamlining your landscape makes it look clean and calm.

To cultivate this look, choose two or three plants in a simple color scheme. For example, you could create a line of white hydrangeas with deep green, manicured boxwoods in front of them. Wrap a duo like that around a simple grey paver patio, and you'll have a simple but gorgeous backyard.