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How to Make a Big Statement With a Small Yard
How to Make a Big Statement With a Small Yard
Whether you’re dealing with a small backyard in a single--family home or simply a balcony or patio for a townhouse or condo, these tips can help homeowners or stagers make a bigger statement.
Whether you’re dealing with a small backyard in a single--family home or simply a balcony or patio for a townhouse or condo, these tips can help homeowners or stagers make a bigger statement.
Watch the Scale
Watch the Scale
Decluttering is just as crucial for outdoor spaces as it is the rest of the house. “It’s important not to do too much and overcrowd a small space. Too many chairs around a table or even too large a tree can make a smaller yard feel confined. “Placement and size of plants becomes very important with a small front yard. You want to make sure that none are so big that they will block any of the home’s architectural features.
Decluttering is just as crucial for outdoor spaces as it is the rest of the house. “It’s important not to do too much and overcrowd a small space. Too many chairs around a table or even too large a tree can make a smaller yard feel confined. “Placement and size of plants becomes very important with a small front yard. You want to make sure that none are so big that they will block any of the home’s architectural features.
Set a Focal Point
Set a Focal Point
Smaller spaces often benefit from an attention-grabbing feature, such as a water fountain, outdoor fireplace, or a restful nook in a compact garden. “If you have a small space, pick a focus to start with,” says Justin Hancock, garden expert with Costa Farms in Miami. “You might want to rent or borrow a small patio set or fire pit to get buyers thinking about how great the backyard will be for entertaining or outdoor living.” You can also draw attention verbally to a focal point. For example, call out the benefits to the home’s outdoor plantings—if they, for example, attract butterflies or hummingbirds, Hancock says.
Smaller spaces often benefit from an attention-grabbing feature, such as a water fountain, outdoor fireplace, or a restful nook in a compact garden. “If you have a small space, pick a focus to start with,” says Justin Hancock, garden expert with Costa Farms in Miami. “You might want to rent or borrow a small patio set or fire pit to get buyers thinking about how great the backyard will be for entertaining or outdoor living.” You can also draw attention verbally to a focal point. For example, call out the benefits to the home’s outdoor plantings—if they, for example, attract butterflies or hummingbirds, Hancock says.
Accent With Container Gardens
Accent With Container Gardens
Container gardens are portable, which make them an easy way to enhance a small space, particularly for a townhouse or condo where a homeowners association or shared space may limit what you can install. Matching containers placed on each side of a stairway or doorway can create a bookend look, suggests Hancock. Or, group a small cluster of different sizes of containers. Choose plants that complement or contrast with the color of your front door. For example, with a red door, choose red geraniums, salvia, or petunias, Hancock suggests. For a high-contrast look with a blue door, try planting easy-care golds and yellows, such as zinnias, marigolds, or celosia. “If floor space is at a premium, try a hanging basket or two,” says Hancock.
Container gardens are portable, which make them an easy way to enhance a small space, particularly for a townhouse or condo where a homeowners association or shared space may limit what you can install. Matching containers placed on each side of a stairway or doorway can create a bookend look, suggests Hancock. Or, group a small cluster of different sizes of containers. Choose plants that complement or contrast with the color of your front door. For example, with a red door, choose red geraniums, salvia, or petunias, Hancock suggests. For a high-contrast look with a blue door, try planting easy-care golds and yellows, such as zinnias, marigolds, or celosia. “If floor space is at a premium, try a hanging basket or two,” says Hancock.
Fuse in More Greenery
Fuse in More Greenery
Use the colors of nature to add lushness and texture to the space. You’ll be in good company with designers on this one, as the Pantone Color Institute’s color of the year is a verdant shade called “greenery.” NALP is also highlighting simpler greenery for 2017. A formal hedge of green velvet boxwood, a border of green lilyturf, or dense Boston ivy-colored trellises can have just as much impact as a garden full of colorful flowers, NALP notes. “Everyone loves a pop of color, but don’t shy away from the striking simplicity of outdoor neutrals, especially in smaller yards,” Henriksen says. Try ornamental grasses and trees potted in a container. In drought-prone areas, consider a small patch of low-water options like Kurapia, a ground cover with white flowers that can work in various soils and requires little watering to maintain.
Use the colors of nature to add lushness and texture to the space. You’ll be in good company with designers on this one, as the Pantone Color Institute’s color of the year is a verdant shade called “greenery.” NALP is also highlighting simpler greenery for 2017. A formal hedge of green velvet boxwood, a border of green lilyturf, or dense Boston ivy-colored trellises can have just as much impact as a garden full of colorful flowers, NALP notes. “Everyone loves a pop of color, but don’t shy away from the striking simplicity of outdoor neutrals, especially in smaller yards,” Henriksen says. Try ornamental grasses and trees potted in a container. In drought-prone areas, consider a small patch of low-water options like Kurapia, a ground cover with white flowers that can work in various soils and requires little watering to maintain.
Increase Privacy
Increase Privacy
Small yards often lack privacy, and neighbors are usually in close proximity. Taller plants, vines, bamboo, or an arbor with a large flowering vine can help create a more intimate space. A trellis on a balcony of a condo can also help. “Privacy doesn’t have to be expensive—even a lattice panel or two can do the job,” Hancock says.
Small yards often lack privacy, and neighbors are usually in close proximity. Taller plants, vines, bamboo, or an arbor with a large flowering vine can help create a more intimate space. A trellis on a balcony of a condo can also help. “Privacy doesn’t have to be expensive—even a lattice panel or two can do the job,” Hancock says.
Extend the Indoors Out
Extend the Indoors Out
Connect the indoor space to the outdoor space to make the living space feel larger. Use the same colors you find inside the home in the exterior color scheme, starting with cushioned furnishings and outdoor throw pillows for an easy match. Add a waterproof rug to ground the space as an outdoor room.
Connect the indoor space to the outdoor space to make the living space feel larger. Use the same colors you find inside the home in the exterior color scheme, starting with cushioned furnishings and outdoor throw pillows for an easy match. Add a waterproof rug to ground the space as an outdoor room.
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