Making the Most Out of Small Outdoor Spaces

Outdoor Spaces

Being a city dweller means enjoying an abundance of entertainment, culture, opportunities, and more. Unfortunately, a spacious yard is generally not part of the package. Having a small outdoor living space doesn’t mean the space you do have has to go unused, however. With a little creativity, you can transform a small yard into a space that is comfortable, functional, and something to be proud of. Check out these tips for turning a spacially-challenged exterior space into an outdoor sanctuary.

Embrace the sunshine. Keep your yard open and bright by capitalizing on natural sunshine. Avoid bulky pieces of overhead furniture like awnings or large umbrellas, as they will enclose your space and make it seem even smaller.

Create a focal point. Consider adding a water feature or sculpture to your yard as a focal piece. Eyes will naturally gravitate toward a focal point and take attention away from the size of the yard. Some experts recommend placing a statement piece in the center of a small yard, which draws the eye inward and pushes everything else outward, making the space appear larger.

Build winding or diagonal paths. Pathways will add visual interest to any yard, but they are especially beneficial to small spaces. Diagonal lines make your yard appear bigger by elongating the area.

Utilize vertical space. When you can build out, build up. Use hanging or column planters and fixtures to decorate your yard. This will add charisma to your space without taking up precious square footage.

Use multifunctional pieces. When shopping for outdoor furnishings, look for pieces that serve dual or more purposes. Tables that can also be used as seating, benches that open for storage, etc. Because furniture takes up the most space in your yard, it’s helpful to minimize the number of large items in your space.

Keep it simple. A small yard can easily become overpowered or feel cramped if there’s too much going on. Stick to designs that are sleek and minimal, and avoid cluttering your space with unnecessary items. Consider size, scale, and perspective when planning.

A small yard doesn’t have to mean small landscape design. With the right tools and knowledge, your space can become everything you want and need from a yard. Consult with Dudley’s Dew Right to enhance your space, small or large, into the perfect outdoor living area.

Spring's Right Around the Corner. Get Your Landscape Ready!

Prepare Your Landscape

Birds are chirping. Days are getting longer, the nights shorter. What does that mean? Spring is ALMOST HERE. And there’s a lot to do before your landscaping is ready for the warmer weather. These tips from Freshome can help simplify what you need to do.

1) Be familiar with your climate. Know your geographic location on Earth, as well as your yard. You need to choose plants that will be fitting for the amount of sun and shade the different parts of your lawn will receive during the day.

2) Research before you start. Start by planning out your strategy for landscaping in advance. You need to decide if you want to break it into phases, or if you want to hire a professional service, like us here at Dudley Dew Right’s, to help you plan. If you’re curious about what plants or flowers to use, ask your local nursery for advice.

3) Know your local pests. Sure, you have to think of a plan for watering and sunlight in your landscape. But, don’t forget your local pests, like wildlife, insects and stray animals which can cause a lot of trouble in your landscaping. Make sure to plan if you need fencing, wire mesh or if you need to plant natural repellents to deter and ward off local pests.

4) Know your calendar and plant at the right time. Planting new fruit trees and flowering shrubs is always exciting, but you must remember plants will thrive and survive better if you plant them at the suggested time of year. Check gardening websites and ask your local nursery what times are best for planting the plants of your choice.

5) Don’t forget about growth. Make sure to take into consideration how large your plants will grow in weeks, months, etc. You’ll want to double check the height and growth requirements on the pots of your plants before you actually plant them. Or, just give us a call and let us help you!

6) Be inspired. People draw their inspiration from all over: neighbors’ yards, travelling to another part of the neighborhood or other parts of town. Make sure to check out local gardens and home and garden publications for your own landscape improvement ideas and motivation.

7) Make a map. When you get an idea of the plants you’d like to include in your landscape, map it out! Make sure to estimate enough room for walking paths, as well as plant growth and future maintenance. You also want to make sure tall plants won’t obstruct the view lines from inside your home.

8) Don’t forget maintenance. Landscaping requires regular upkeep and care. Everything from pulling weeds to watering and pruning needs to be planned out, as well as an occasional replacement of dead plants. Make sure you choose plants that will fit your maintenance schedule.

9) Low and high maintenance plants are key. Make sure you pick plants that suit your home style. According to freshome.com, if your home has a rustic or desert tone, ornamental grasses that grow wild may be more suitable for your landscaping. In your home is more tropical, flowering plants and shrubs might be more suitable. Give us a call today to talk about plants for your area!

10) Contrast with the outside of your home. Landscaping should enhance the exterior of our home, so make sure to choose plants that compliment or contrast colors in your home. You also want to make sure the plants complement the architecture of your home as well. Plan landscaping to be in harmony with your home.

Give Dudley Dew Right a call now to set up a time to figure out your landscaping for spring! The time to get started will be here before you know it.