1. Faux Grass Rug

Not enough green in your yard or space to grow it? Fake it! A faux grass rug will make your patio seem bigger, and add some life to brick or concrete.

2. Reflected Green

If hanging mirrors in small rooms makes them feel bigger, why wouldn’t we try it outside?! Hang some vintage or older mirrors to make the green grass and blue skies feel like they’re going on forever.

3. Tiny Garden Shed

You don’t need acres of land or a huge garden to justify a gardening shed. A tiny one adds whimsy and decoration to your small yard, and keeps your gardening tools organized!

4. Triangle Shed

Another way to get that shed without sacrificing too much space? Turn it on an angle!

5. Mini Water Feature

Just like with that gardening shed, don’t let a lack of space kill your landscaping dreams of a water fountain. This water feature is the perfect size for a small space AND you can make it yourself for around just $30!

6. Decorative Focal Points

So what’s the POINT of a water feature, you may ask? It creates a focal point! When people are noticing the conversation piece in your yard, they’re not noticing the lack of space. Even better, a focal point draws the eye and pushes the surround walls out of focus, helping to make a space FEEL bigger, too. Use a fountain, art, or a very large potted plant.

7. Forced Perspective

Another thing a focal point can do? Create perspective! You might remember the concept from art class, but in general, we’re talking here about how parallel lines seem to converge in the distance at a vanishing point, and the basic fact that faraway objects look smaller. Use both concepts to your advantage to create the illusion of space, like with a pergola and some strategically-placed potted plants. This method’s a good excuse to let your maximalist gardening tendencies run wild!

8. Diagonal Paths and Planting

Another way to trick the eye is to plant and plan paths along a diagonal or a zigzag, which makes a space feel bigger than it is because you travel along a longer path. Want a prime example? Then check out . . .

9. Triangular Planting Pockets

. . . this design, which is all about triangles. Just because most small backyards are rectangles, you don’t have to keep it that way! Try turning everything 45 degrees, as the designers of this backyard did, to create “triangle planting pockets” for lush greenery and an interesting patio design.