Get the Most out of Your New York Small Yard

Having a small yard or garden area in New York can be discouraging - especially if you're coming from out of town and you're experiencing major nature withdrawals.

Whereas some New Yorkers may find their back garden quite suitable for storage, others might actually want to explore the advantages of having a small well-designed yard. Is it really applicable? Can you actually live in a borough (say Brooklyn) where streets are buzzing with life all day long and still have your own comfort zone where you get to connect with nature?

It can seem as if any major landscaping ideas are a pipe dream, and while you may not be able to get too carried away, you can optimize the space you do have and make it appear much larger than it is.

Being confined to our homes has only solidified the importance of having a space that allows us to feel at peace. Just because you don't have a huge space (or even much space at all), doesn't mean you can't have a yard and landscaping that brings you joy.

A small yard shouldn't crush your desire to have a New York city garden design. It will just take a bit of planning and, of course, some imagination.

Go Vertical!

Be it a tiny garden in Brooklyn Heights or a small balcony facing the Hudson River, you can strike the perfect balance between the fast-paced life in the city and the serenity of your own garden. In case your outdoor space is limited and you are doubting its potential, don’t give up just yet!

All you have to do is give free rein to your imagination, or get help from a professional yard designer who can transform your abandoned, empty balcony into your most cherished spot.

Nothing can beautify walls or fences as trees or flowers, adding a pop of captivating colors that lighten up your outdoor space and lift your mood. Vertical gardens not only connect you with nature but offer you a considerable natural extension to your indoor space that you thought you can never have.

Climbers

There is a wide range of plants that grow vertically on your outdoor walls, adding glamor to your space. If you want to wake up and be embraced by the warmth and softness of glowing pink roses, Rosa the Generous Gardener – English Climbing Rose – is the way to go. For a spellbinding combination, Lonicera x heckrottii ‘Gold Flame’ grows into eye-catching flowers of peach and pink shades while filling the air with its rich, sweet fragrance.

DIY Ideas

Tight on budget, you can factor in some interesting ideas to transform your flat wall into a piece of art! Whenever you are about to throw any can in the trash, hold on a beat to remind yourself that with the help of spray paint and strings, your wall will be brought back to life.

- Thoroughly wash your previously used cans.

- Using a nail and a hammer, make some holes in the base of the cans.

- Now make up your mind on the overall vibe of your outdoor space.

- Select the colors that best portray this vibe, and paint the cans accordingly.

- Start planting!

- For a more creative atmosphere, use strings to hang the cans instead of placing them haphazardly on the ground.

Get creative with miniature cascading fountains, twilight lights, and some bold new base paint.

Make Some Room

Imagine walking into a room with all the world’s most famous paintings hung in there. Side by side, hundreds of them are placed without any space to spare.

Will you even get a chance to admire each of them separately? Or overwhelmed by overcrowded space, you will just escape the room, leaving the most unique creations behind.

Same with your small NYC yard, stuffing it with charming plants, pots, or elegant furniture is just another way of turning it into storage again.

While plants and hardscaping will certainly help optimize your yard, too much can feel claustrophobic, busy, or chaotic.

Instead, you can opt for a creative designer who knows how to incorporate both positive and negative spaces into your NYC yard design, ultimately crafting a piece of art for you to enjoy.

Whether you create walkways or a spot that feels clear and open, be sure to leave a little breathing room for you, your plants, and your guests. After a particularly hard day, having that extra space can make all the difference.

Give Yourself a Nook

If you have the space to allocate a section of your yard for sitting or lounging, you can create a place for you or your guests to sit back and enjoy the surroundings. Think cozy reading nooks or a bistro table and chairs. Hanging plants, string lights, or other welcoming decor items can really shape your space and allow you to bring a bit of creativity to your yard.

This cozy, little area will bring a bit of intimacy to your yard and break up the space by creating zones.

Create Some Shade

What better way to escape the hot New York Summer Sun than underneath a welcoming pergola or arbor?

Bonus, they can also bring height and a bit of drama to your yard. They're both perfect options for small yard landscaping as they don't completely block your sunlight but they offer a bit of shade.

If you want more shade and have enough height so it won't be too overbearing, an umbrella can also help you create a shady spot where you can hang out whether the sun is beaming or not.

Use Window Boxes

Window boxes aren't just for windows! You can place them on a porch, around the perimeter of your patio, or hang them from the deck railing. Since horizontal space is limited, using window boxes will allow you to bring flowers, plants, and herbs to your yard without sacrificing much space.

Of course, if you have any windows that would benefit from a window box, you can use them the traditional way, too. Sunny windows, balconies, and patios are the perfect places for window box planters.

The Easiest Way to Get the New York Yard or Garden You're Sure to Love? 
Have an Expert Design it For You!

The right planning can easily turn a small yard into your backyard oasis. And if you struggle with figuring out where to start or how to bring your landscape Wishlist to life, the experts at ShrubHub Landscape Design are standing by to lay out your brand-new yard in a clean 3D design for under $300.

And even better news? ShrubHub Design Experts are now available across the entire country!

If you live in the state of New York,  ShrubHub landscaping is servicing your area. (Even if you're across the river in the Garden State, ShrubHub yard design is perfect for your New Jersey home).

Check out Shrubhub.com today and see if their design service is right for you!

No matter the size of your yard - or your budget - ShrubHub is here to help.

ShrubHub.com

ShrubHub.com