Your backyard is an extension of your home, and should reflect your style. Making the most of your space is important when planning landscape ideas. When there isn’t a lot of room to spare, but a new look is needed, planning and using your space efficiently is the key to everything. Even the smallest space can look bigger with the right plan in place.

The best place to start is with your seating arrangement. Adding more seating to your patio area to enable outdoor entertaining can use up precious space. By purchasing or building seating, such as benches, that have hinged lids with space for storage inside, you can double up on the duty of these items. Storage can be used for patio cushions, gardening tools, or whatever you need to use it for.

Planting flowers, herbs and vegetables in pots instead of in the ground gives you the flexibility to rearrange and move things around as you need to. Small leaved plants and flowers give the illusion of more space, so keep this in mind when buying annuals. Hanging baskets arranged with colorful flowers draw eyes upward, making spaces look larger. Planning a color theme for your flowers can help add uniformity and calm.

Water features and ponds need not be large to have a great effect in your yard. These smaller versions are easier to maintain and clean as well. Keep in mind that once you have added one of these water features to your landscape, they are not easily moved. Plan the spot carefully before you begin, and you are more likely to be happy with the outcome

Check about the laws regarding fire pits in your municipality, and once you have the go ahead, add a small one to your backyard plan. You can add it to the center of your seating area, or move your seating to surround it when it is in use. To double up on functionality, purchase a table fire pit.

Smaller shrubs and trees help keep small yards tidy and don’t take up as much space as their larger counterparts. Keep bushes trimmed neatly throughout the year, and cut or trim tree branches as they get in the way or start to take over your space. Branches that extend over a seating place can close it off and make it appear smaller, however you may want to leave them if your seating area is in the sun all day.

Rock garden are beautiful, and can be just as striking when small as large. Cluster a few larger ones, or arrange many smaller ones. Or have a combination of sizes to add interest. Plans that will grow between the rocks look great, and add a natural flare. Rock arrangements can be moved easily, as long as the stones you have used are not too large.

Being challenged for space does not need to limit your creativity. With common sense and a few space saving changes and additions, you can make more out of your small space. Backyard landscape ideas that save space are smart, even if you are not short on room.

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