What to Do with a Narrow Backyard

Last Updated Sep 29, 2015 · Written by Rob Schneider

Landscaping

We all like the idea of having a spacious backyard, but it's not always possible. If you move from the suburbs to an inner-city terrace, you might have a long, narrow backyard to contend with. If you have to fit a large house on a small block of land, you might only have a few metres of land at the back of the house to work with.

Many home and apartment owners with narrow backyards have learned to love them more than the high-maintenance yards they had before. You'll know why when you see what they have done with their narrow backyards.

What to Do with a Long, Narrow Backyard

A long, narrow backyard isn't an obstacle: it's an opportunity to create a magical environment. The key to success is in using perspective to your advantage. Garden designers do this in a variety of ways:

• A focal point such as a water feature or garden sculpture at the end of the garden diverts the eye from the confining walls to a distant object.
• A winding garden path leading to a bench or pergola entices you to use your garden as a sanctuary away from the house.
• Mixing stone pavers with a variety of flora makes the garden more interesting. If it is more interesting, it feels larger.

© John Walters Landscaping

What to Do with a Wide, Narrow Backyard

You step outside your door and almost bump your nose against your back fence. What can you possibly do with a wide, narrow backyard like that? This fence is very close to the house, but it's not an eyesore because it is made from natural timber. The raised garden in front of it gives it a terraced look and brings the bushes up to eye level.

© Jays Landscaping

Backyards don't get much narrower than the one pictured below. By planting a large tree and building a winding raised garden bed, the landscape architect was able to create an enchanting garden path in a space dominated by a large wall. Although there's not space for outdoor furniture, the floor-to-ceiling glass makes the garden part of the indoors and the indoors part of the garden.

© Paal Grant Designs in Landscaping

One of the advantages of a wide, narrow backyard is that you can enjoy it at night just by adding some well-placed outdoor lighting. Soft light can enhance your garden features and the wall or fence fades into the background or portions of the fence become a colourful feature of your outdoor landscape. Note, too, how a feature wall breaks up the monotony of this wall

© Anthony Spies Landscape Pty Ltd

For more inspiration, visit our Garden Design Ideas pages. Not all the gardens featured on the pages are narrow, but you're bound to see design elements you can use in your narrow garden. Add your favourite photos to an inspiration board and everything you need for your garden will fall into place.