Whether you’re a new or an established resident in your Montgomery County home, you might find that everything in your abode is perfect save for the backyard. Your home may have plenty of square footage, but if you’ve added members to your household over the years, you might find that your backyard’s size isn’t cutting it anymore. Here’s a few ways to work with the space in your small backyard.

Keeping your décor simple is the easiest way to visually increase your square footage. Having a backyard that’s too busy will most definitely make it appear smaller than it is, so when you’re putting outdoor furniture in the yard, keep it small and keep it simple. Use single chairs, tables, or small benches rather than large outdoor furniture sets. When it comes to colors, keep the scheme simple, so that you aren’t bombarding the eye with too many contrasts and shapes.

Trick your vision with outdoor lighting. Light adds dimension and opens the space, so if you can, make use of small fixtures which provide bright lighting. If you’ve got a covered patio, overhead lighting is another option, just be sure to use fixtures which aren’t too big and don’t hang too low. String lights can also be used to add a relaxed style to a sitting area in your yard.

If your budget allows it, place a trellis or archway at the far end of your yard to give the eye something to focus on at a distance. Presenting something pleasant to look at from the farthest reaches of your yard will provide depth, especially if the view of the structure you’ve added isn’t blocked by other backyard items.

Aside from vision, sound is also a great distraction away from the size of the yard. If you give yourself something pleasant to focus on, you won’t be preoccupied with the small yard. Water trickling and birds chirping are soothing outdoor sounds. Adding a fountain and bird feeder to your yard will utilize ambient sound to create a relaxing environment.

A small backyard doesn’t have to be an cramped, and it can still present a lot of personality if decoration is handled wisely. For more information, Better Homes & Gardens has a great article on small spaces worth reading. When the time is right to buy and sell your home, we’re here to help you with all your real estate needs! Call me, Laura Austin, at (281) 789-2911, or (936) 321-2977 or email me at Laura@RealtyTx.net. You can also visit me at my website for available listings and additional information.