DESIGNERSCORNER
Designing for a smaller landscape
BY JOHN BRIGHT, CLD AS URBANIZATION and development increase, land for new homes and developments is becoming more limited. It’s not uncommon to encounter small front or backyards with challenges such as poor grading, lack of privacy and limited space. However, these spaces offer an exciting opportunity for designers and builders to create functional, beautiful environments that maximize every inch available. Here are some strategies for designing the shrinking landscape: Think big It may sound counterintuitive, but thinking big is a great way to make a small space feel larger. By strategically incorporating large specimen shrubs or trees, you can add height, texture and depth to the space. Large-format pavers or slabs laid in simple patterns can also help expand the visual footprint of a small yard. For a long and narrow lot, using a running bond pattern for paving makes the space feel wider. Combine these techniques with large plantings and you’ll introduce depth, creating the illusion of a more expansive landscape. If privacy is a concern, consider adding tall or wide screens to create an immediate visual barrier and enhance the sense of space.
Go up In small landscapes, using vertical space effectively is key to making them feel more spacious. By taking advantage of height, you can create an illusion of openness and increase the usable square footage. • Pergolas and trellises: These structures can define outdoor rooms, providing both functional shade and a feeling of enclosure without the heaviness of solid walls. A pergola can be used to support climbing plants. Adding greenery and interest overhead draws the eye upward and away from the confined horizontal space. • Overhead beams and custom structures: dimension to a landscape. They create a layered look by introducing overhead lines that add to the feeling of space. These structures can also be used for lighting or hanging plants, making them functional as well as aesthetic. Adding beams, canopies or custom- designed vertical structures gives Layered, impactful planting The most effective way to make a small garden feel lush and expansive is to create depth through layered planting. A multi-
dimensional garden encourages exploration and makes the space feel more immersive and abundant. • Foreground, midground and background plantings: Organize plants by height and spread to create layers that guide the eye through the space. Plant low-growing ground covers or smaller plants in the foreground, while mid-sized shrubs or grasses can add texture and colour in the middle. Taller trees or focal plants can be used in the background or as accents to draw the eye upward. • Plant variety: Incorporating plants with different textures, leaf shapes and seasonal blooms adds interest and richness to the space. For example, you could mix evergreen shrubs with flowering perennials or combine soft ferns with spiky ornamental grasses to maintain visual interest throughout the year. Colour Strategic use of colour can drastically change the feel of a small space. For example, staining or painting the perimeter fence black or dark colours creates an illusion of infinity, giving the backdrop an almost endless quality. Other
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