A functional backyard design can help transform the way you and your family live, play and relax.

As urban and suburban areas continue to evolve throughout Perth, narrow lots are becoming more and more common.

This compact space trend presents unique challenges for those wanting some outdoor living.

But they also offer exciting opportunities for designing a small backyard. To help you with your outdoor living for compact spaces, here is our guide on how to create a functional, stylish, and versatile backyard on a narrow block.

What are your needs and what space do you have available?

Before diving into design and narrow lot backyard ideas, the first step is to understand your backyard’s dimensions and shape. This gives us the literal parameters within which we need to work.

Take the time to assess, measure and sketch out your space thoroughly. Always note any existing features or constraints.

This ‘site analysis’ should be done in three steps.

1. Measure the space

This part is simple: Use a measuring tape to note the size and shape of your backyard.

Identify any boundaries, slopes, and trees or hardscapes that need to be taken into account.

2. Assess the landform and drainage

Make sure you understand how water moves through your yard. This can affect your design and can help identify and rectify any drainage issues.

3. Evaluate sunlight and wind

Identifying how sunlight and wind patterns affect the different areas of your yard will help you determine how best to both mitigate impacts and turn them into a feature.

Bonus Considerations

For a thorough evaluation of your narrow lot, you might want to consult local gardening experts or, if possible, assess the soil quality of your property yourself. This will help you understand what plants will thrive.

What are your priorities and what is your vision?

Next, we need to work out what you want to achieve within the space.

This is about identifying your priorities. Are you looking for an area to entertain friends? Do you need a functional backyard design for kids to play in? Are you looking for a thriving home garden? Or do you need a little Zen space for “me time”?

With clearly defined goals, designing a small backyard is significantly easier. It allows you to begin capturing ideas of your dream backyard and be on the lookout for style, functionality and feature inspiration that aligns with your preferences and needs.

What are some narrow lot backyard ideas and smart landscaping solutions?

There are many ways in which you can incorporate a stylish and functional backyard design. But it is important to ensure that your choice of design suits your property’s features, your local climate, and complies with existing local zoning regulations.

It is well worth the investment of seeking advice from professional landscapers or designers to refine and improve your plan. Not only can experts improve your design but they can save you time, hassle and money by identifying and rectifying potential issues up front.

1. Vertical Gardening

Vertical gardens make the most of the limited ground space in a small backyard by promoting plant growth up and not out.

Living walls with mounted planters for herbs, flowers, or succulents look fantastic and work amazing in compact outdoor spaces.

Make sure you use trellises for climbing plants like ivy or jasmine to add a bit of privacy and greenery without sacrificing any additional floor space.

2. Multi-functional Features

Effective outdoor living in compact spaces requires efficient thinking. That’s why, where possible, try incorporating landscaping elements that serve dual purposes.

For example, utilising seating that offers built-in storage underneath for comfort and functionality. Even planter boxes can double as barriers to differentiate between different zones in your small backyard.

3. Create Distinct Areas

Designing a small backyard well takes thought. Think about your intended activities and divide your narrow backyard accordingly.

This might include a dining or entertaining area, a play space for children, and a relaxation zone. Different outdoor flooring such as grass, decking, or paving can be used to visually separate these areas without taking up space.

4. Low-maintenance Plants

When designing any backyard, always choose plants suited to Australian climates and resistant to intense sun and heat and droughts.

This not only reduces water consumption (and associated costs) but also minimises the time and effort required to keep them alive, healthy and looking great.

5. Vertical Structures

Incorporate pergolas or shade sails to add comfort and visual appeal while defining different spaces. These structures can also provide support for climbing plants, further maximizing your vertical gardening potential.

6. Optimise Natural Light

Natural light is highly effective in making compact spaces feel bigger both inside and outside the home. By carefully positioning plants in your outdoor space you can effectively avoid creating unnecessary shadows and therefore feelings of compactness. You might also want to use reflective surfaces to bounce light around the space, though this can increase how quickly the area can heat up during sunny summer days.

7. Creative Privacy Solutions

Privacy is always important in your backyard. You can ensure privacy without compromising the limited space available by carefully placing screens, hedges, or angled fencing around the perimeter. These elements can create a sense of seclusion without negatively impacting the amount of space in your backyard.

New Gen Home Designs

If you’re designing a small backyard, you’re not alone! The New Gen Home team is here to help. But, if you haven’t yet, check out our range of home options complete with functional backyard designs.

Jericho

The Jericho is designed for 7.5m wide blocks. Open plan living for a functional lifestyle, this design does not sacrifice courtyard access either. Plus with a rear double carport for laneway entry, you can make the most of your compact space without impacting the way you live and move.

Condor

The Condor design is ideal for young families and is perfect for 10m wide blocks. This home feels spacious and comfortable and makes the most of every square centimetre of the property. Combined with a well-designed and functional backyard design, it’s a fantastic option.

Zanzi

The Zanzi is the perfect home design for narrow lots that offer rear access. It too is open plan with plenty of living areas in and outside of the house. Plus, the unique side garage entry helps to optimise the use of space, which is especially important when you’re working on narrow lots.

Comet

The Comet design is packed with features but designed, inside and out, with family functionality in mind. It allows for easy internal flow and complements a well-designed small backyard to allow for open plan living that’s well suited for the growing family.

Elio

Elio is an ideal design for first home buyers especially. The open-plan design of the main living area is great for future families, for entertaining guests and friends, and utilises its compact outdoor space to the same effect!

Sol

The Sol home design is among the bigger options and therefore is perfect for the growing family. Its separate living areas complement the potential backyard designs for a practical yet comfortable lifestyle as well as personal space.

Sirius

The Sirius design is suited for particularly narrow lots. However, spatially, it still feels generous, modern and comfortable. The living and dining area perfectly complements the adjoining backyard area allowing for multiple designs and uses.

Alula

The Alula, designed for 10.5m blocks, offers a highly practical floor plan with flexibility both inside and outside of the home itself. The compact and yet accessible backyard can be used for the perfect entertaining, recreational or kids play space.

For more narrow lot backyard ideas, contact the team today

Transforming and designing a small backyard is all about thoughtful consideration, efficient planning and smart choices. But you never have to do it alone.

Whether you want to discuss how to implement the above ideas for outdoor living for compact spaces or want to have a look at some of the New Gen Home designs, contact our team today.