Simon's Tips from 13 Small Backyard Ideas to Live Large Outside:
How do you decorate a small garden in style?
“Think about supplementing your plantings with annuals for seasonal plantings and interest—not unlike a chef who adds seasonal dishes to a restaurant menu,” says Simon Prunty, partner at landscape architecture firm Hoerr Schaudt. “Keep your focus on high-quality outdoor materials for furniture and accessories, and keep it clean, tidy, and regularly maintained.”
Wow with walls
In a small backyard garden, a confining structure—such as a stone wall, or brick façade climbing with ivy—can make for a “secret garden” vibe. That’s the case in this stunning space by Hoerr Schaudt. “Keep it simple…. Too much intricacy or clutter will make the space feel more constrictive,” says Prunty.
Level up with chic features overhead
A pergola brings an element of structure and layering that can feel comforting in a small backyard. “Depth of field can be created with the layering of planting and textures” as well, Prunty says. “Well-placed accent lighting is also a key feature that can also help the garden feel more expansive.”
Bet on window boxes
In lieu of a trellis, the classic window box is one way to bring the lacy effect of lush plants to the middle of an otherwise lackluster wall. “The main thing is to feel comfortable knowing a garden evolves over time and you can always add elements along the way and as you curate your collection of art, artifacts, and containers,” Prunty notes.
