25 Small Backyard Ideas That'll Transform Your Space Into a Dreamy Outdoor Oasis
Budget-friendly gardening tips, landscaping designs and decorations that make a big impact.
The less space you have, the more intentional you have to be about its design. Small backyards, in particular, can be tricky to work with, especially when you factor in the need for large fixtures like pergolas, swimming pools and fire pits. Really, it means that you have to work smarter, not harder to make the most of your outdoor footprint, so you can entertain guests and soak up the sunshine all summer long.
Browse through these small backyard ideas to find simple ways to maximize your outdoor space on a budget. Through a mix of landscaping ideas, decorating tricks and gardening how-tos, you'll get all the inspiration you need to embrace a "less is more" mentality. When building the ultimate backyard, there are two main approaches you can take: Stick with small statements like container gardens, rolling bar carts and potted greenery, or go all-in with brand-new outdoor furniture and major patio renovations. Either way, you'll be amazed just how easy it is to transform your tiny backyard into the outdoor oasis of your dreams.
Trick the Eye With Mirrors
Mirrors have a way of making even the smallest spaces look way bigger. Hang a mirror on your house's exterior to brighten your patio, deck or backyard space.
Dress Up a Plain Fence
Since you don't have a ton of room to grow plants, make sure that you're always thinking about ways to use the little space that you do have. In this case, dress up a pallet fence with an assortment of greenery and seasonal blooms in flat-backed planters.
Roll Around a Beverage Cart
Designate a spot for drinks to ensure that everyone stays calm, cool and hydrated on hot summer days. Pick a cart with wheels, so you can roll it inside to keep the drinks pouring.
RELATED: The Best Outdoor Bar Cart Ideas
Make Plants Portable
Fill an old tool box or galvanized bucket with low-maintenance succulents for a small (but mighty) display.
Choose All-White Furniture
Keep things light and bright by decorating your space with all-white furniture. Use the patio furniture as a base, accenting your space with loads of greenery.
Plant Container Gardens
Boost your backyard's appeal by filling ceramic planters with flowers, succulents and other greenery. And if you want the satisfaction of watching something grow from seed to plant, consider herbs and small vegetables like broccoli and cabbage.
Make a Work Bench
Bring a wooden work bench outside, give it a coat of fresh paint and use it for, well, everything. When you're entertaining, turn it into a bar cart or serving station. Otherwise, let it become your catch-all spot for gardening tools, empty pots and watering cans.
String Lights Across Your Space
Make your small space feel even cozier by stringing lights from one side of the yard to the other. That way, you won't have to use up coveted floor space with standing lamps.
Use Up Free Wall Space
Mount a folding shelf to the exterior of your house, and use it to hold party snacks, drinks or utensils.
Pick Foldable Lawn Chairs
Since lawn furniture may be too bulky to suit the size of your space, go for folding chairs that can be stored easily when they're not in use. For a warm and inviting vibe, throw an outdoor rug and floor pillows on the surrounding grass.
Extend Your Deck With Pavers
If your deck is low to the ground, extend its reach by laying stone patio tiles along the existing deck. It'll create a seamless flow from one area of your space to the next, which is perfect for summer parties and gatherings.
RELATED: All the Best Porch and Patio Ideas
Cozy Up a Corner
Turn any ol' ledge into an ultra-cozy seating nook. Outfit the wide railing or garden wall with colorful pillows and potted plants, and then pull up a small side table.
Stock a Bar Cart
When done right, utility carts become the ultimate drink station. Deck out the shelves with coolers, glasses, utensils and pitchers full of party punch (or another drink of your choice).
Decorate With Greenery
Think of floating plants as a gallery wall for the outdoors. Attach flat-backed planters to the slats using zip ties or small hooks, and then fill 'em with an array of colorful plants.
Turn a Garden Stool Into a Cooler
Take a garden stool — bird baths work too! — and fill it with frozen water balloons for a party-ready cooler. They'll melt slower than traditional ice cubes, so guests won't have to dunk their hands in water to refuel.
Create a Focal Point
Stack curved paving stones in a circle to create a statement-worthy fire pit. To make the space more inviting, scatter some metal chairs and potted plants nearby (but not too close to the fire, of course).
Stick Plants on a Ladder
Turn a wooden ladder into a vertical stand for potted flowers, veggies, and herbs. Just give it a fresh coat of paint before you put it out on display.
Select a Round Table
Not only do circular tables give off a modern look, but they're also easier to walk around than traditional rectangle options. Try to mix and match the textures by pairing a concrete or stone table with wooden patio furniture.
Transform a Window Into an Outdoor Bar
Keep party guests out of the kitchen with this DIY serving station. Simply install a serving ledge under a window and dress the space with weather-resistant bar stools and a patterned awning.
Grow Herbs in a Hanging Planter
Find an over-the-door shoe organizer that matches your aesthetic (linen works best!) and attach it to your fence for a space-saving herb garden. Stick a different kind of herb in each compartment, and add labels to help you keep track of what's what.
Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more.
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