Gardening Ideas For A Small Backyard

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When it comes to backyards, bigger isn't always better. Especially if you can make your space your own by using some of these inspiring ideas we've compiled for you! We promise your petite backyard will benefit from some simple and stylish tricks, like patio string light ideas that help set the mood around the outdoor bar, or innovative backyard ideas that might even include a water feature or two! We've also found the best patio plants, great ground cover flowers and plants, and even healing plants that will add plenty of visual interest.

But perhaps you haven't been blessed with a green thumb? No problem! We have plenty of backyard solutions for you that don't require getting your hands dirty, pruning, watering, or any of those other tasks. And if you're short on backyard storage, we have solutions for that, too—from sheds to benches with plenty of space to hide things. This is your chance to make your small but mighty backyard your very own oasis, and the good news is you don't need to spend a lot of time or money doing it. After all, shouldn't the goal of summer be to to enjoy your outdoor spaces without having to constantly worry about maintenance and upkeep? We think so!

Dining table on stones with couple and child

DAVID A. LAND

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Set the (Outdoor) Table

All it takes to dress up an outdoor table is a simple tablecloth, and viola! You've added a little polish for an outdoor party or even just a little nicer-than-usual family dinner.

SHOP OUTDOOR TABLECLOTHS

Potting station that is also decorated as a bar

Mike Garten

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Set Up a Potting Station Bar

When it's time to host the next backyard bash, put away your tools, slide over the plants, and serve drinks and snacks atop your potting station.

SHOP POTTING STATIONS

Hanging planters wrapped in scarves with flowers

BRIAN WOODCOCK

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Make DIY Hanging Planters

If you don't have the ground space to showcase potted plants, go up! You can take on a DIY hanging planter project—here, inexpensive planters are wrapped in vintage scarves.

Flowers potted in vintage potato chip bins

David Tsay

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Repurpose Collections

Consider relocating some of your more weathered possessions out to your backyard. These potato chip tins are now charming flower pots.

String lights hanging over a dining table on a patio

David Tsay

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Hang String Lights

Hang outdoor string lights above your outdoor dining table or sitting area to create the ultimate mood lighting.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

diy storage bench small backyard project

Our Handcrafted Life

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Storage with Style

Save space by relying on a sturdy bench that doubles as a roomy storage unit (think toys, gardening tools, and the like).

Get the tutorial at Our Handcrafted Life.

SHOP GATE HINGES

hanging herb garden small backyard diy

Inspired by Charm

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Hang Herbs Along an Outdoor Wall

Believe it or not, a hanging file organizer is an outdoor space-saving unsung hero. Compress your herb garden by planting within the vertical pockets, then attach to the side of your porch or garage.

Get the tutorial at Inspired by Charm.

SHOP HANGING FILES

hanging fence garden small backyard

Thrift Diving

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Capitalize on Fence Space

If your backyard fence could use some love, optimize valuable lawnscape and use the area as a canvas for a prosperous container garden.

Get the tutorial at Thrift Diving.

SHOP CHALKED PAINT

garden tool storage small backyard diy

Anderson + Grant

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Stay Organized

Consolidate clutter by crafting a garden tool organizer. We're loving this project's use of a metal rake head for easy hanging.

Get the tutorial at Anderson + Grant.

diy mailbox planter small backyard

Reality Daydream

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Repurpose a Vintage Mailbox

Give an old mailbox some TLC to transform it into the dreamiest outdoor planter. It hardly takes up any space, yet still packs a huge punch.

Get the tutorial at Reality Daydream.

SHOP MAIL BOXES

small backyard fountain

Courtesy of Target

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Set up a Small Backyard Fountain

small stump planter

Courtesy of Three Dogs In A Garden

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Try a Tree Stump Planter

If you've got an old tree stump in your backyard, rejoice—they make the most beautiful planters.

Get the tutorial at Three Dogs In A Garden.

hanging planter idea

Brian Woodcock

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Hang a Colander Planter

Hanging your plants leaves extra space below; plus, these colorful colanders make the most adorable vessels for flowers.

Get the tutorial.

Furniture, Table, Outdoor table, Room, Brick, Chair, Brickwork, Stool, Interior design, Outdoor furniture,

Courtesy of Shades Of Blue Interiors

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Make a Murphy Bar

No room for a fancy bar? Try installing a Murphy bar outside, which simply folds down into a table whenever you're ready to use it! The shelves are perfect for storage, and you can stack cute plants on top.

Get the tutorial at Shades of Blue Interiors.

Flowerpot, Plant, Garden, Herb, Flower, Grass, Houseplant, Vegetable, Annual plant, Fence,

Courtesy of Decor and the Dog

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Think Tiered

Tiered planters will maximize the ground space you have available for planters and herb boxes.

Get the tutorial at Decor and the Dog.

Flowerpot, Flower, Plant, Floristry, Floral design, Houseplant, Botany, Flower Arranging, Balcony, Window,

Courtesy of Making Lemonade

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Plant Vertically

Instead of planting horizontally, plant vertically! Use a wood trellis, tin cans, and IKEA pot hangers to recreate this look.

Get the tutorial at Making Lemonade.

bike

Courtesy of Liz Marie Blog

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Lay Faux Grass

Offering the illusion of luscious green lawn, a faux-grass rug will help make your patio space look bigger than it really is.

Get the tutorial at Liz Marie Blog.

succulents in garden

Debra Lee Baldwin

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Design Succulent Wall Art

Use a rectangular plastic tray divided into planting cells to display an enchanting succulent garden like this one.

Get the tutorial.

Backyard, Garden, Yard, Flower, Plant, Flowerpot, Wood, House, Fence, Shed,

Courtesy of A Beautiful Mess

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Repurpose Coffee Cans

We didn't need an incentive to drink more coffee, but now we're glad we have one.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.

Material property, Tree, Plant, Wine bottle,

Courtesy of Camille Styles

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Make a Mason Jar Herb Garden

Use some Mason jars to plant a cute herb garden that can even be displayed inside your kitchen.

Get the tutorial at Camille Styles.

Plant, Flower, Herb, Flowerpot, Leaf, Houseplant, Flowering plant, Marjoram, Mint, Oregano,

Courtesy of Fancy Frugal Life

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Stack Your Planters

Stack your planters to make a tiered herb garden.

Get the tutorial at Fancy Frugal Life.

Shed, House, Property, Building, Garden buildings, Backyard, Yard, Home, Cottage, Siding,

Courtesy of A Cultivated Nest

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Build a Mini Storage Shed

Repurpose old doors and windows into a cute mini gardening shed, just big enough for all of your essential tools.

Get the tutorial at A Cultivated Nest.

Vegetarian food, Garnish, Plant, Moss, Non-vascular land plant, Food, Dish, Flower, Cuisine, Herb,

Courtesy of Apartment Therapy

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Start Off Small

Terrariums are a great way to decorate any indoor or outdoor space—and they're super low maintenance.

Get the tutorial at Apartment Therapy.

Grave, Soil, Memorial, Games,

Courtesy of The Garden Glove

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Create a Small Water Feature

Flowerpot, Floral design, Plant, Flower, Floristry, Houseplant, Twig, Flower Arranging, Shelf, Cut flowers,

Courtesy of A Beautiful Mess

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Hang a Garden

Another way to cram more greenery onto a backyard patio with minimal square footage—hang your plants in tiered baskets.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.

how to plant a vertical garden

Courtesy of Little Green Dot

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Stack Up Crates

Make your own vertical garden by stacking crates. Make sure to reinforce them with wood planks!

Get the tutorial at Little Green Dot.

Furniture, Houseplant, Room, Table, Interior design, Wall, Desk, Plant, Home, Window,

Courtesy of SF Girl By The Bay

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Dedicate a Corner

Use a rolling cart to hold a miniature herb garden that can be brought inside or kept outside.

Get the tutorial at SF Girl By The Bay.

Glass, Leaf, Branch, Window, Plant, Tree, Interior design, House, Architecture, Wood,

Courtesy of Bonzai Aphrodite

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Invert Your Tomatoes

Tressling and the upkeep of tomato vines can take up a lot of space. So, hang your tomatoes from the roof instead.

Get the tutorial at Bonzai Aphrodite.