Landscape Design Ideas for Small Spaces

If your design dreams are big but your yard isn’t, you may think a landscaping company isn’t for you. But landscapers aren’t just for homeowners with acres of property under their feet! At Great Goats, we’re experienced at tackling the design and usability challenges that small spaces present. Here are some of our favorite landscape design ideas for small spaces.

Make a Statement

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It may seem counter-intuitive, but incorporating one eye-catching feature actually makes a small space seem larger than one that is filled with lots of little decorations, statues, and tchotchkes. Give your small space a feeling of grandeur with a vertical recirculating fountain, a custom pergola, or a built-in brick oven.

Think Vertically

Installing hooks under the eaves for hanging planters instantly doubles your gardening space and frees up precious patio room for a grill and seating. Or consider a “living wall,” which uses a sturdy fence or wall to support succulents or other low-water plants.

Pick a Palette

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We love color, but in a small space too many hues can look busy, which visually shrinks your space. Green plantings with natural wood or stone structures are an obvious pairing, making your patio into a calming, zen-style retreat. But monochromatic doesn’t have to mean boring. Add pops of color through outdoor textiles or container flowers, which are easy to replant as the seasons change.

Build in Extra Seating

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Expand the usability of a small space by incorporating some low-profile seating along the edge of the patio or deck. By installing benches or a retaining wall, you’ll save square feet that would otherwise be taken up by bulky patio furniture. (Bonus: benches on a deck can double as storage boxes!)

The bottom line: No matter how many acres or inches you’re working with, we can help you create the backyard of your dreams! Call us today for a consultation.

Kid-Friendly Landscape Design Ideas

If you’re a parent or grandparent, chances are you’ve already heard that familiar refrain from your children at least once since school let out: “Mom? Dad? I’m booooored.” As parents ourselves, we at Great Goats love helping our clients create outdoor spaces that will keep kids active and entertained right in their own backyard. Banish boredom with these kid-friendly landscape design ideas!

In-Ground Swimming Pools

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The house with a pool is the one where kids and their friends gather. Concerned that a pool will dominate your whole space? We can help you integrate a pool into your landscape with distinctive pavers, attractive plantings, and trees that act as privacy screens. We’ll also advise you on the best safety gates on the market.

Space for Sports

A wide-open lawn invites ball games and backyard campouts. But the key is choosing the right grass. We’ll help you select a hearty variety that can stand up to all your kids’ activities. With our full slate of lawn-care services, you can count on Great Goats to keep your lawn in top shape during the off-season as well.

Designated Play Areas

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By fencing off a section of yard and installing a play structure, you create an instant mini-park within your own backyard. Kids love having their own special space, and parents love that toys stay corralled in one spot. And gone are the days of those plastic Fisher Price swing sets. With easy-to-assemble structures in classic hardwoods, your little ones’ play area will blend in nicely with the rest of your landscape.

Planter Boxes for Veggies

Here’s one we bet you hadn’t thought of! Growing vegetables from seeds instills excitement and a sense of responsibility in kids of all ages, and with the right design, in-ground or raised planter boxes can actually be an attractive part of your outdoor space. We can help you to site and install your veggie garden to keep it safe from kids and wildlife. Tip: strawberries, kale, and peas are easy veggies to start with.

Safety First!

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For grandparents’ homes and vacation properties, where kids may not be part of the daily routine, we still recommend some landscape design additions geared toward safety. Consider installing low-profile fencing along steep drop-offs and gates around water features.