Nurturing Nature: 5 Tips for Turning Your Backyard into a Stunningly Space

While it’s true that the climate in Australia can be a little unpredictable sometimes, the country is generally blessed with fantastic weather. It is one of the reasons why there is such a healthy outdoor culture here. People spend long hours sat out in their gardens. They hang with friends at the beach, they play sports and have al fresco cookouts.

Australians love to take advantage of the sunshine and have a deep appreciation for nature. So, it can be really frustrating to have a drab, small, or uninspiring yard. If this sounds like you, it might feel like you’re stuck with an outdoor space that you don’t like. However, there are plenty of clever ways to squeeze beauty and imagination from a diminutive garden.

Hide in the Shadows
The common assumption is that the lighter and more exposed the space the bigger it will feel. This is not always the case though because a little bit of mystery creates the illusion of areas, which aren’t really there. If you can’t see the whole garden, there could be more of it.

This is why outdoor lights are so valuable.

They add depth by creating shadows. For a subtle look, dot fairy lights on fences and across low hanging branches. Or, for something a little more dramatic, up light your favourite tree or flower bed.

 
Spaces within Spaces
Another way to make a small yard feel bigger is to split it into different ‘areas.’

The easiest way to do this is with raised decking, but you can use traditional landscaping too. Slopes and mild gradients will work, but the best effect is created by single steps and distinct levels.

It is a great way to add diversity and character to a garden.

You could have a main area for sitting and relaxing with friends. You could have a winding walkway to a corner of the yard where you like to sit or tend to plants. You could even incorporate a fire pit on one of the levels.

Utilise Perspective
The rule of perspective can help you design a small garden which looks and feels much bigger. It works by emphasising objects in the distance, particularly when they intersect with what is known as the vanishing point. This is when parallel lines eventually converge and meet.

So, even though you know they don’t join together, they look like they do at a distance.

Long walkways, pergolas, and fences replicate this effect and draw the eye forward. Think about incorporating a feature like this if you want to make a backyard look deeper.

Get Hardy with Greens
Lots of vegetables are pretty hardy and will grow perfectly well in small spaces, as long as their light, soil, and temperature requirements are fulfilled. So, you don’t need a lot of room to arrange veggies in neat rows. You can squeeze them into corners and overlooked areas.

Often, landscaping leaves little pieces of space dotted about the garden.

These are perfect for vegetables, but you will have to keep a close eye on them. Fast growing species should be cut regularly to prevent them from outgrowing their teeny tiny homes.

 
Elevate Your Plants
If space is at a premium, don’t despair.

There are plenty of plants and shrubs which grow much taller than they do wide. These are ideal for cramped spaces because they utilise empty space and look beautiful without pushing out other key features.

Espaliering, for example, is a type of gardening which uses tall creeping shrubs to decorate fences and trellises. The idea is that you tie twine or guide sticks to the plants while young and they bend to fit your chosen patterns.

Why Small Doesn’t Have to Mean Uninspiring
The beauty of landscaping is that it has the potential to transform any kind of space. Whether you’re working with a tiny little garden, a sprawling uncontrolled yard, or a drab concrete cage, there is a solution out there for everybody. All it takes is a generous helping of creativity and access to high-quality resources.

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