Backyard Design Planner

Small backyard ideas

• Seating: a compact bistro set or a built-in bench along the fence leaves the middle open.
• Planting: raised beds, planters and climbing plants on the fence add green without using much ground.
• Pathways: one simple path of pavers, gravel or stepping stones makes a small yard feel organized and larger.
• One focal point: a fire pit, a small tree or a pergola gives the eye somewhere to land.
• Zones: separate dining, lounging and play areas with a change of surface, like pavers next to grass.

Arrange seating, planting and paths around your real lot in SpaceTease, and check the sun and shade for each spot.

Petite backyard design tips

• Pick one main use, like dining, lounging or gardening, and give it the best spot.
• Use vertical space: planters, a trellis or a slim shed.
• Keep paths simple and direct, so the yard feels larger.
• Choose smaller furniture and check the fit before you buy.

Open the Backyard template, or enter your own lot and home size, and SpaceTease shows exactly how much backyard you have to work with.

A garden planner and landscape design tool

SpaceTease works as a garden planner and a simple landscape design tool for your own lot. Add raised beds, flower beds, shrubs, trees, planters and a garden path, then choose surfaces like grass, mulch, gravel, pavers or decking. Everything sits to scale around your home’s real outline.

Use the sun and shade view to put vegetable beds where they get the most sun, and shade-loving plants where the house, fence or trees block the afternoon light.

Pergola ideas for a small backyard

A pergola creates an outdoor room and adds shade without closing in a small yard. Add one in SpaceTease, try a few sizes, and use the sun and shade view to see how much shade it gives your seating at different times of day. A pergola attached to the house, or set over a corner patio, often works well in a small backyard.

Plan for sun and shade

Trees, the house and fences all cast shade that changes through the year. Move through the seasons and hours to find sunny spots for garden beds and shady spots for seating. A fire pit should sit a safe distance from the house and trees, so check your local rules and the manufacturer’s guidance.