My ‘vanishing path’ design trick will make your yard look bigger than it is – my other tips can upgrade an outdoor space
A STYLISH feature can be added to your backyard to create the illusion of having a bigger space, says a design expert.
She shared the simple tricks that she swears by for enhancing the appearance of a small garden.
Jade Oliver is an expert at UK-based company Express Bi-Folding Doors, which specializes in home transformations.
She revealed the virtual tricks that she uses to make a small backyard look bigger than it is.
STEPPING STONES
Oliver said there are different styles of pathways that can be added to even the smallest space for a larger feel.
“It’s very easy to make your garden appear longer or taller than it actually is, elevating the overall feel of the space,” she said.
“For example, by using gradually shrinking circular tiles in a path away from your home, you can create a sense of depth with the illusion of a vanishing path.
“A set of slightly oversized square tiles can also be used similarly if placed away from the house with a suitably sized feature on or around them.
“Besides these tricks, you might also want to consider laying a winding path connecting your different garden zones, helping to create the illusion of length.
“Get creative and clever with this layout to see how it might look with different turns, though don’t overcomplicate things and make them messy.”
PAVING THE WAY
The design expert said stone paving and gravel can modernize a tired-looking backyard.
She suggested using gravel to fill borders or to form narrow winding paths between flower beds.
The tip adds texture to the space while paving also gives a “natural feel” to seating areas or can be used to form solid steps.
“If you have tiled indoors, you can even use similar-style paving to extend your design outside, with sliding doors or bi-folding doors offering a seamless transition between the two worlds,” Oliver said.
“Gravel and paving are certainly the right options if you want a material that’s low maintenance, but one that still offers contrast and depth with the materials around it.
“However, if you’re after small modern garden ideas, paving may not be the best option for you due to space constraints.”
Easy gardening tips to save money, maximize space, and repel pests
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- Banana peels, vinegar, and coffee grounds are often recommended as natural fertilizers.
- Dollar Tree sells four packs of seeds for $1.25.
- Try a vertical planter like Amazon's Mr. Stacky 5 Tier Stackable Planter, $35 to make more use of a small space.
- Use netting like the Garden Netting Pest Barrier, $8, from Amazon to keep away bugs that eat your vegetables.
- Try sacrificial planting to reduce the use of pesticides and keep pests away from your garden. Deliberately growing certain plants to attract agricultural pests can keep them away from the plants you want to protect. Examples include marigolds, lavender, catnip, and chives.
- For pesky weeds in your garden, the Grampa's Weeder - The Original Stand-Up Weed Puller Tool with Long Handles, $45, from Amazon is a helpful tool you can use without having to bend over.
DIY UPGRADE
Oliver’s advice comes after a DIY-savvy woman went viral on TikTok by sharing how she upgraded her small backyard.
Stef (@couchstef), who lives in Philadelphia, opted to put a fireplace in the center of a paved area.
She scattered stones under the seating area to mark it as a relaxing zone, away from the areas where plants were growing.
She said the entire transformation cost less than $1,000 as most of the supplies were bought at a discounted price from Lowes and in Delaware.
“OMG looks cozy, need to my yard like that don’t have it decorated to chill,” one person commented.
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“This is cute!!! This reminds me of when I used to live in Philly. I love what people can do with limited space,” another said.
“Love it! I can tell you put effort into it,” a third wrote.
