Maximizing a Smaller Yard to Reap Maximum Enjoyment

No homeowner responsible for maintaining a standard-sized (or larger) suburban lot hasn’t at least once dreamed of tending something smaller, a feeling that comes over them most likely while mowing the lawn on a blazing hot summer afternoon or crunching the numbers to make sure they can cover the month’s landscaping bill.

Mobile home owners face a challenge all their own — how to maximize their smaller yards to reap maximum enjoyment from that limited swath of the great outdoors. It’s real conundrum, one that leaves, if you will, little room for error. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to help you make the most of a small yard and make it a welcoming space for dining, entertaining or just hanging out with a good book.

Add a water feature: While most readily associated with splashing fountains in larger settings, water features come in all sizes and design, including wall fountains, waterfalls and even small ponds. The characteristic they share is the calming burble of moving water, a sound that resonates deep within the human soul. Maybe you don’t live on an ocean, river or lake, but you can still experience some of the soothing they provide.

Take plants vertical: Small yards are susceptible to appearing cluttered; one too many potted plants, flags or chairs in a contained space can effectively rob it of its attractiveness. One answer is to utilize vertical space by building a plant wall, which not only gets greenery out from under foot but also creates a pleasant visual for you and visitors alike.

Create a path: Adding a stone path to your yard does more than just make it easier to get around. It also serves as an accent piece that draws attention to the space’s more dominant features. Many manufacturers utilize slip-free materials in their pavers, increasing homeowner safety as they navigate their yards.

Opt for light-colored furniture: What holds for indoors holds for outdoors too — dark furniture more readily absorbs light and can make spaces look and feel smaller. Homeowners particularly want to avoid that in a small yard and so opting for light — or better yet, all-white furniture — is the way to go. That furniture also provides an attractive contrast to the greenery around it.

The Right Lights: Stringing lights isn’t just for the holidays anymore, particularly if you’re looking to maximize a small space. Stringing lights overhead not only helps yards feel cozier but also increases your ability to enjoy the outdoors on pleasant evenings.

Buy a Round (Table): Not only do circular tables give off a modern look, but they’re also easier to maneuver around than their traditional rectangle counterparts. Try to mix and match the textures by pairing a concrete or stone table with wooden patio furniture.

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.