How To Make A Narrow Backyard Work Without A Lawn

Backyard spaces can be a mixed bag depending on many factors, often related to size and growing conditions that make outfitting them as attractive and welcoming spaces a challenge. Small urban backyards typically lack square footage, while many neighborhoods boast sloped yards that suffer from drainage issues and little to no flat surfaces. Homeowners in drier or wetter climates may find that growing traditional grass is a pain and want to forgo a conventional lawn altogether. Others may just want to avoid the hassle or upkeep that comes with maintaining even a small yard. There are, however, multiple clever ideas on how to make a small backyard work without trying to grow a traditional lawn. These include ways to arrange and lay out planting elements, materials to use instead of grass, and other ideas to create an inviting outdoor space you want to spend time in.

These approaches don't just make the most out of a small backyard, but can also be adapted for awkward side yards, small sloping front yards, and other areas around the outside of your home that may be ugly or underutilized. Many of these ideas are budget-friendly and can be cheaper than maintaining a traditional yard. Some are even more eco-friendly than conventional grasses, like growing wildflowers instead of a lawn or using your backyard space as a raised veggie garden.

One of the easiest ways to deal with a lack of grass in your yard or in certain areas is to employ pebbles or gravel instead. Not only will the rocks offer a walkable surface that can hold things like seats, but they can also help keep the underlying soil in place and assist with drainage and erosion problems. Combine different types and sizes of gravel in various areas to create zones that'll make your small backyard look bigger and/or bring in elements like pavers or bricks to create paths or platforms. 

Wooden steps can be a great solution for slightly sloped yards, allowing you to create a path that won't migrate or slip when the ground under it is wet from rain. Use them as a path through a small space, like a backyard, to a small bench or seating area. They can be embedded into a gravel path or in the dirt for a natural look with a lot of texture. Or, wind a set of wood stairs in a sloped side yard for easy access from front to back.

Backyards without a lot of growth and foliage are perfect spots for outdoor fireplaces since they present less of a fire hazard even in the driest areas. You can purchase large kettle-like containers that sit on a patio or gravel surround, or build one from bricks or cinderblocks that sits right on the ground. Add some surrounding chairs for a cozy spot to spend evenings under the stars. 

Another perfect way to bring indoor living outdoors is to use your small backyard space to create an exterior room you will love spending time in. Add a spacious seating arrangement to a large patio or deck, and incorporate elements like fireplaces, artwork, murals, or fences to add privacy and focal points in the space. Fill in the areas around the space with raised planter boxes and shrubbery for a cozy and contained feel. 

For another perfectly liveable outdoor room, why not create a small outdoor kitchen in your exterior space? This makes a great addition to any home that does a lot of entertaining, allowing you to do most of your food prep and serving without constantly trekking back and forth into the house. An outdoor propane stovetop, luxe grills, countertops, and outdoor sinks are a must, with some larger kitchens adding elements like fridges and dishwashers under the cover of a roof or pergola. Combine your outdoor kitchen with a dining area to fill up an awkward backyard space.

If you have a pool, sauna, outdoor gym, or live near a swimming spot, an outdoor shower can be a great use of a small backyard, preventing you from tracking grime and sand into your home. It can also just be an awesome spot to cool down after some gardening or outdoor recreation. Install a shower head along an exterior wall, garden wall, or fence, then add some privacy screens or partitions and a drainable floor made from treated wood, tiles, or pebbles. 

If your yard is too small for a deck with a full outdoor dining set up, never underestimate the simplicity of a bistro table and a couple of chairs. While there isn't necessarily room for a large dinner party, even the smallest table presents a spot to enjoy your morning coffee or a quick lunch while enjoying the outdoors. Add a small platform made from wood decking or paver stones near your back door for the table and use the rest of the small space to plant some shrubbery or container beds.

While small backyards do not necessarily have the space for an in-ground pool, consider building a raised deck and adding an above-ground model partially embedded in the dirt. This works for traditionally lined pools as well as for the recently popular metal stock tank pools and slender shipping container pools. You could also build a deck surround for a whirlpool. For a wider surround, you can dedicate the entire backyard to the area surrounding the pool with some room for lounge chairs or outdoor dining. 

The classic look of a winding stone path immediately adds an elevated touch. In a small backyard space that can't have a lawn, use flagstone to create paths and larger flat areas for seating arrangements or dining tables. For an English garden look, combine it with stone benches, tables, and statuary. A curved stone path is a great idea as it can make your space feel larger. 

Use all or a portion of a small backyard to create pretty pergola seating arrangements that'll fill in space, create shade, and make the outdoors feel like an extension of your home. For an inexpensive version, use a pea gravel floor bordered by wooden posts or build a patio with bricks or paver stones. Surround the pergola area with beds of plants or flowers, bushes, or container plants. 

If grass does grow in your small backyard but you'd rather avoid the all-over green look, combine concrete paver stones with green borders created from traditional grass or groundcovers like clover and moss. Not only will it make upkeep far easier, but it will also help if your yard gets a lot of moisture to keep the surface firm for tables or chairs that aren't constantly sinking. If you love the look but can't use real grass, try artificial turf installed with pavers. 

If you love the idea of using your outdoor space to grow your own food, planter boxes full of veggies and herbs can be a great way to make it happen. Raised wooden beds with small paths between them can be a pretty way to fill a yard that gets a lot of sunlight. The raised beds also make the garden work easier on your knees. 

If your small backyard is sloped, building a patio bordered by a retaining wall can help create flat areas that can be utilized without the danger of everything rolling or sliding down the hill. Use wood, stone, or metal to create the wall, and fill in the top area with pea gravel or paving stones that will assist with drainage to keep the yard dry and from eroding away. 

If you do not want to use your small and sloped backyard space for recreation, you can always turn it into a series of elevated or tiered planting beds for flowers, bushes, and other greenery. This approach also works well for an unused side yard that is visible from the street or for a front yard as an alternative to a sloping grass yard. 

One of the most popular alternatives to traditional lawns and other backyard landscaping ideas, wildflowers work beautifully to fill a backyard space. They can either spread out to all corners or be grown in more defined beds with winding gravel or paver stone paths. These flowers can be a great way to attract local wildlife like birds and butterflies that you can enjoy watching in your yard. 

Turn a defined corner of a small yard into the perfect relaxation spot by adding a hammock for lounging and napping. This approach can work with any sort of ground cover underneath, including sand, mulch, pebbles, bricks, or paving stones. If you have a bit more space, opt for an outdoor daybed platform that allows room for more than one person. 

Combine a small deck or patio with a water feature scaled to fit the size of your backyard space. This can be anything from a full embedded stone pond with koi fish to a small bubbling fountain in the corner of the yard. The water sounds are very relaxing, inviting you outside more. Surround the pond with a couple chairs or a bench, or for larger areas, add a spacious seating area. 

While not all backyards let you have an attached deck connected directly to the house, never underestimate the stylishness and functionality of a floating deck. They can easily be built from ordinary shipping pallets anywhere in your yard. This is great for awkwardly shaped yards and sloped ones that would normally be difficult to outfit with a conventional deck. Plus, you can place it wherever you want to maximize privacy and shade.