“If I had a free afternoon, I would play music, sit in my backyard, and drink coffee.” – Aja Naomi King

Many homeowners spend their lives dreaming of the day they own a backyard. Having an outdoor space all to yourself is a huge luxury, no matter the circumstances. But not all backyards come with acres upon acres of wide-open space.

It certainly doesn’t help that popular landscaping magazines and TV shows only seem to focus on the biggest lawns imaginable. This can leave those of us on the hunt for small yard ideas feeling lost and alone.

Of course, you’re far from alone — countless people across the world own and adore small backyards of their own. So keep reading for the best small backyard ideas you can implement in even the tiniest space.

No past landscaping experience required!

1. Small Backyard Patio Ideas

If you plan to use your backyard as more of an outdoor living space than an actual lawn, building out a small patio is likely the best use of your limited acreage.

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Choose a focal point to arrange your patio furniture around. A water feature or above-ground fire pit are a couple of good ideas if your backyard doesn’t already have something. You can add shade with a vine-covered trellis, umbrella, or shade sail.

Swapping your backyard for a patio doesn’t have to mean abandoning all hope for greenery. Line the edges of your patio with garden beds filled with ornamental shrubs or vibrant annuals. You can also add dimension to the space with hanging baskets and large containers filled with hardy perennials like hostas and hydrangeas.