I have to ask you guys a question. When you see our backyard transformation posts on Instagram or Facebook, do you ever catch yourself thinking, "Oh I would love that, but I don't have enough space? " If your answer is yes, I want you to snap out of it! A very common misconception that we find people hold is that they think you can only have a great outdoor space if you have a large backyard. A bit of creativity and a well thought out plan can transform the teeny tiny space into a big deal that you'll spend most of your time at home in. Here are a few tips to consider when creating your mini outdoor oasis:
1. How Much Space do you Have?
Size may not determine whether or not you can have a great outdoor space, but it does matter. Having an idea of the exact square footage of your space gives you an idea of what is possible. For example, if you're working with a small apartment balcony and you'd love the sound of bubbling water in your space, then a pond wouldn't quite work. However, you could try smaller water fountains that can fit to create a similar effect. It will also be crucial when you're choosing your furniture & accessories. You don't want to buy an outdoor sofa only to find out that it can't fit once it's delivered.
2. How do You Want to Use the Space?
This is the most important question next to question # 1. Ask yourself: Is this a space to just showcase plants or will you be drinking your morning coffee from this spot? Can you host small gatherings in this area or is the view from this vantage point so spectacular that all you need is a cosy bench to curl up with your laptop or the latest issue of your favourite magazine and a glass of wine? Determining how much space you have and how you want to use it is half the work already done. From here you can even start to mark out your area and plan where what will go.
2. Choosing the Right Furniture.
Less is indeed more in this case. You want to avoid 2 MAJOR mistakes: overcrowding your space and buying the wrong size for your space. Let's be honest, shopping for furniture can be hard especially if you're like me and you like everything you see. You may be tempted to incorporate multiple pieces in your space, but you must resist. You don't want to have a lot of furniture & little to no floor space to walk around freely in. It can leave your space feeling cluttered. The other issue to tackle when furnishing your space is the size. Like I said earlier, you don't want to find out the furniture can't fit after you've already paid for it. But even more importantly, you don't want it to take up most of the space. You should try getting pieces that are smaller, multifunctional or pieces that can be folded away. Even better, you can consider getting custom-built or built-in furniture.
3. Think Vertically.
I spoke about this earlier in The Top 8 Outdoor Living Trends. Vertical gardens are not only stylish, but they also save you precious floor space. You can buy wall planters or mount a wall display for climbing plants to grow on. You can also create more space by adding shelving. This can be used to display your plants or accessories like jars and vases as a focal point. You can also get creative with wall-mounted water features like wall-mounted aquariums.
4. Accessories are a Must.
Small spaces come into full bloom with accessories that are
unique, functional and give the “decorator's touch”. Consider an outdoor rug under the
table set. It anchors the space and brings the space together. Wall art, mirrors,
watering cans with or without plants, driftwood, beautiful glazed pots, and baskets to name a
few can really make a difference in the space. Do not underestimate the use of
sculptural plants to accessorize.
5. Have Fun.
Don't become too overwhelmed with the choices you have to make. Have
fun with your style. Mix and match pieces to create interest. Buy comfortable and
durable pieces. Make the most of this available space and remember that outdoor
space is a terrible thing to waste.
Let us know how you plan to decorate your backyard by leaving a comment below.