10 Backyard Trends That Are Perfectly Suited For Small City Homes

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So, you love your city home, but what about the backyard? Urban backyards are notorious for being small as well as having a lack of privacy. A city backyard may also come with noises you'd be missing in the country (like car horns, traffic, and more). But before you go and buy a new place, maybe you should consider a few backyard alterations instead.

There are a number of backyard trends that are perfect for small, city backyards. Vertical gardening is a great way to maximize space and still include a variety of plant life in your yard. Modular furniture is a flexible seating solution. Just because you don't have an acre for a backyard, doesn't mean pathways can't benefit your outdoor space. If you're looking for trends to serve your small backyard, you're definitely in the right place. Keep reading to learn more.

If you can't expand your garden out, go up. Vertical gardening may seem a little out there, but it's actually an awesome solution if you're looking to maximize space in a small backyard. It's becoming more and more popular because it's an extremely versatile gardening solution. Your small, city backyard can get a facelift with beautiful, dimensional upright spaces.

The best part? You can totally make your vertical garden your own, because there are so many different ways to accomplish this trend. You can create a stunning living wall indoors, but you can do the same outside, too. These Wall Planters from ShopLaLa serve as a plant wall mount you can use in your garden. Or, consider vines that will naturally climb up a surface to create your upright green space. Arbors and trellises are also a way you can create a vertical garden in your backyard.

At first glance, you may think that dividing up your small, city backyard into distinct sections is not the right decision. But creating levels in your outdoor space can actually make your yard appear much larger. By carving out different zones, the eyes wanders to a variety of destinations, visually expanding the area.

You can create a depth of space by creating unique areas. Consider building a fire pit that's dug into the ground. This beautiful Iron Fire Pit from DENKOE comes with a cover and can double as a table. If you're creating a designated dining area with tables and chairs, this Wicker Outdoor Patio Bistro Set from Bonnlo is a great option to conserve space. Raised garden beds (more on that later) are another way to add height and vertical interest to your small, city backyard.

Bringing a sense of the indoors outside is a great way to extend living space and make a home (and small backyard) feel larger. Blending indoor and outdoor areas tricks the eye into believing the space is bigger than it actually is. Plus, who wouldn't want to feel all the comfort of the indoors in your outdoor space?

One of the best ways to make a seamless transition from your indoor to outdoor space is to extend elements to your backyard or patio. For example, use the same flooring or finishes to convey a sense of continuity. Also, consider choosing outdoor furniture that gives indoor vibes (maybe don't go with the metal or wicker pieces if you want a living room feel), and add an outdoor rug or TV to really transform your patio into a cozy outdoor living room. You can also match the color palette of your indoor living space to help with this illusion.

Who doesn't want a little privacy in their backyard? More and more homeowners are interested in creating an outdoor retreat in their backyards with privacy features like hedges or fences. This is an especially relevant trend for smaller, urban backyards, where homes are much closer together. Another reason this can be ideal for a small backyard is that it's easier to maintain a hedge in a smaller space as opposed to yards and yards of shrubs that need trimming on a sprawling property. Dense, tall hedges can even help muffle city noise. 

Hedges are a great alternative to walls or fences. There is quite a large variety of hedges to choose from that can create varying amounts of privacy. Some of the best hedges you can plant for privacy in your yard include glossy abelia, boxwood, or even a lilac bush. Maintenance will depend on the hedge you choose. For example, boxwood is typically easy to care for and adapts well to its environment. Be sure to thoroughly research how often you need to prune and water your hedge to keep it happy and healthy.

Modular furniture is one of the best trends for an urban backyard that may be lacking in space. Not only is this type of furniture super customizable, it's also really flexible, which makes it easier to fit in smaller yards. But what exactly is modular furniture? Rather than a large couch or sofa, modular furniture comes in individual pieces that you can rearrange however fits your space. This means you don't have to worry about cramming a huge piece of furniture in your yard; instead, you can build seating (or even shelving) that really works for you.

Modular furniture truly is perfect for your outdoor patio. It offers a personalized, eco-friendly outdoor seating option that's extremely practical. This Grand Patio Wicker Furniture Set is an excellent example of a modular sofa. Or, this Modular Outdoor Furniture Set from NICESOUL even comes with a firepit. How cool is that? The awesome thing about modular furniture is that there are almost limitless possibilities for how you can configure it in your backyard. Get creative, and build an outdoor space that's totally you.

A small backyard in the city means one thing: The space you do have has to work much harder. That's where multi-functional areas come in. Instead of having strict, specific zones in your backyard for different activities, like games, cooking, relaxing, etc., build multi-use spaces. Your urban backyard definitely doesn't have to be boring. Who said you have to have a huge space to have fun?

For example, maybe a lounge area also has a fire-pit or water feature. Or an outdoor kitchen can double as a gathering space for friends and family. That lounge area could even be used as entertainment space, especially if you get an outdoor projector to shine on the side of your house. Here's a great Smart Projector from HAPPRUN. If your backyard is home to many games or competitions, consider using a lawn area as the field of play that can transform into a place for pets when the game is done.

The popularity of water features in yards is not going away anytime soon. Not only do water features create a peaceful, calm atmosphere in an outdoor space, they can also help with city noise. That's right, research shows that water sounds actually have the ability to mask the sound of traffic. Count us in. Just because you can't fit a pool in your urban backyard doesn't mean you can't take advantage of the zen-like atmosphere water features create.

Water fountains, small ponds, stock tank pools, and even bird baths are all potential water features you can add to your backyard. If you want to add a water feature to your backyard to attract birds, consider a low-budget rain shower or in-ground rock fountain. This Cascading Bowls and Stacked Stones Water Fountain from Teamson Home is an excellent, unique choice. If you really would love a pool in your small backyard, consider a plunge pool, like this Hot and Cold Plunge Tub from Bubplay. Don't let a city outdoor space stop you from getting a water feature.

If you love gardening but you've never started because of your small, city backyard, this is your sign to go for it. There are a number of ways you can garden in a tiny space, and raised gbeds are one of the best options. Raised garden beds can mean everything from trellises attached to planters, to tiered garden beds, to vertical gardening (you already know about that). This not only works to maximize space, but can add interest in a small urban backyard.

Do you have a green thumb? If so, here are a few designs for raised garden beds you should try in your backyard. You can create a raised garden bed using old pallets, or create a garden that affixes to a wall. Your elevated garden beds can be made of wood, metal, cinder block, or even plastic. A Galvanized Raised Garden Bed Kit from Land Guard is a sturdy and durable option. Whether you want to grow carrots, tomatoes, kale, or peppers, there are so many plants that are perfect for a raised garden bed.

What is the cottage garden trend? Well, it's a gardening style that is rising in popularity that embraces imperfection and whimsy. Think growing vines and colorful flowers rather than flawless, clean-cut outdoor spaces. Perfectly symmetrical and manicured landscaping is nowhere to be seen in a cottage garden. And what better way to embrace the wild nature of this trend than with an arched trellis? Climbing vines and plants scream playful and fun. But the best part is that they add romantic charm without requiring a ton of garden bed space.

Arched trellises can be made from different kinds of wood, metal, bamboo — you name it. They can even be grounded with large pots. This Metal Pergola Arbor from LeJoy Garden is a great option for a small, urban backyard. You can also DIY an affordable trellis that's perfect for climbing plants with ladder mesh, garden wire (like these Garden Ties for Supporting Climbing Plants from YDSL), and wood. Ivy, roses, clematis, or climbing hydrangea are great options for your arched trellis.

Another popular trend that is taking backyards by storm is pathways. They're not only for large outdoor spaces or gardens with expansive areas that require pathways between zones. Paths are very practical for small yards. In areas with concentrated traffic where grass can quickly wear thin and the ground can become compacted, a paved pathway can prevent that eye sore. Designated pathways can also guide the eye and create a feeling of movement and separation in a small backyard, making it seem larger. Plus, a pathway in a smaller space requires only a short stretch, making it much cheaper than in huge backyards.

The options for pathways are almost endless. Think gravel, pavers, bricks, or even wood. There are numerous budget-friendly DIY garden path ideas that are worth trying. If you already have a garden path but it needs a little update, consider painting it. These River Rock Stepping Stones from dojobkinb are a very distinctive option for your pathway. Or, these Glow Stones for Walkways from chic style are a super cool way to add a little lighting to your space. There are so many ways to create a pathway that's perfect for your small backyard — you just have to do a little digging.