Landscaping tips for small or compact yards in Melbourne suburbs such as Mount Waverley and Keysborough that make the most of small gardens and make them look bigger, open and inviting. You can collaborate with a local landscaping expert or consult a landscape architect who can suggest versatile features, but strategic design can instantly give your small yard a makeover. For a little added help, here are expert tips to make your small yard feel bigger while maximizing utility and style.
Use Light-Coloured Paving
Small yards can feel airy with light colours for landscaping Keysborough or Mount Waverley. They buy you suns lighting and give the illusion of space between the walls. Colourful sandstone or pale concrete pavers are great choices for patios and walkways. These are usually priced at between $30 and $70sqm.
- Gravel or Light Mulch: Using light-coloured gravel or light mulch in-between garden beds can help brighten an area giving the illusion of space, $20-$50 per bag.
- Previous Pavers: These are great in Keysborough to help manage heavy rains that help provide visual depth.
An expert landscaper in your area may help you select materials that match the style of your home to create a unique appearance.
Incorporate Vertical Elements
If you have a small yard, consider maximising vertical space to gain more square footage — this can give the appearance of a larger yard by drawing the eye upward. Consider adding:
- Vertical Planters: Perfect for planting climbers that do well in Melbourne, like kangaroo paw or star jasmine. Cost: Between $50 and $200
- Trellises and Vertical Gardens: Those will make your garden space seem taller without occupying ground space.
A narrow trellis over a fence in Mount Waverley covertly adds height, while vertical timber screens in Keysborough can be used as privacy screens.
Choose Compact Plants
Choose smaller or dwarf plants to prevent overcrowding. The soil and weather of Melbourne are ideal for native plant life.
- The Dwarf Forms of Grevillea or Westringia (up to $30 each): They are the perfect foil for the grass while contributing some green without taking over.
- Narrow Trees: Plant upright trees such as crepe myrtles that deliver height and shade but without wide-spreading branches; $50 to $150.
Put the larger plants to the outside, smaller plants towards the centre to create depth. Dense shrubbery will instantly shrink the area into which it is planted.
Create Curved Pathways
Small yards can feel cubicle-like with the use of straight lines. Use a curve here and there to achieve a sense of sound and harmony instead of straight lines or borders.
- Pathway Pavers: Pavers for walkways: $10 to $20 each, set between stones.
- Semi-Circular Paver Way: About 50-60 cm wide paver path provides a sense of warm look.
Another way to indicate space is to divide the yard into areas, like a zone for seating with a separate plant bed-like branching rooms – the yard almost suddenly seems larger. You can consider a small deck or corner bench which can define areas without cluttering your space.
Insert Mirrors or Reflective Surfaces
Mirrors and other reflective surfaces give the impression of space and are a popular feature in the urban Melbourne Garden.
- Outdoor Mirrors: Place these on a fence or wall to reflect greenery, $50-$200
- Water Features: Adding a bit of shimmer and movement to your garden can be done with stainless steel or glass water features which cost between $300 to $1,000.
Train mirrors in the opposite direction, so that sun rays do not adversely affect direct vision. Maximizing impact can be achieved by having a professional landscaper integrate tree and shrub elements seamlessly.
Maximise Your Small Yard
These expert tips will ensure that even the smallest of yards in landscaping in Mount Waverley or Keysborough can stretch out stylishly. With light surfaces, vertical elements, and a smart layout, you create a gorgeous outdoors. Collaborate with a local landscaping expert or an experienced landscaping designer who knows how to incorporate multi-purpose features that can make your dream come to reality. Do get moving on turning your small space yard in Melbourne.