(In July, I posted an update about some of the changes we’ve made to this space. See the updated post here!)
Modern Design Ideas for a Small Backyard
Hiya dudes. It’s the last week of the One Room Challenge—reveal week! I must admit, I am quite proud of what our tiny backyard has become. And I am going to put an extra feather in my cap since we did all of this with a 5-month-old baby who wasn’t much help.
Here are all of the previous updates for your browsing pleasure:
2 // Platform Deck & Some Cleaning Up
3 // DIY Raised Garden Beds & Details
4 // Rock Landscaping and Plants
But I know you didn’t come here to listen to me talk. So let’s jump right in and review some of those gnarly before pics. Friendly reminder to check your judgment at the door regarding how bad we let our backyard get while I was pregnant last year.
BEFORE…
And here is what is looks like now 🙂
(This post contains affiliate links. You can read more about that here. Thank you!)
Gardening Space
Yep. Let’s talk about the left-hand side first. This is where the majority of my veggies and herbs are. I used plain terracotta pots painted with Rustoleum satin black spray paint for my herbs. They are hung using Pot Klips, which are literally the best part of this entire backyard. These things have lasted several years. So handy to be able to hang pots wherever you want and have them look like they are floating.
We have baby eggplant and cherry tomato plants over here in containers, as well as a smattering of other plants. The raised veggie garden beds are also over here. We’ve got quite a few things planted in these: sugar snap peas (climbing variety), a few kinds of lettuce, spinach, and kale. I’m filling the other bed with bush cucumbers and climbing green beans this weekend.
Since this is the only area that’s strictly off limits for the cats, they love walking around in it, playing with the twine we have nailed up on the fence for the sugar snap peas, and just generally being assholes about the whole situation.
This view of the deck is lovely. You’ll notice Ramona’s wooden unicorn swing tucked to the side in some pictures—Mike put a hook on a deck footer so we could pull the swing up and hang it out of the way when it isn’t in use. But to be honest, it’s down most of the time, because if we’re out there, there is a good chance Ramona is with us swinging away.
We absolutely love the swing, too. It’s great quality. I did finish mine with a coat of Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane for extra protection, though.
Deck Area
On the deck we’ve got a few things to chat about. First, I decided to put a few pavers in the rock landscaping. I wanted a clean look, but I also wanted to be able to step off of the deck and not walk right into rocks. It turned out exactly how I’d envisioned. We used Delaware river rock purchased in bulk from a local nursery, and I’m happy with how that looks, too. Originally I’d wanted something a little lighter, but I worried about that not looking very clean for long. We have awful red clay dirt here, and with ongoing construction in the area, I feel like everything outside is always coated in red dust.
The HVAC unit area that is screened off has some plants, too. I decided to dress this area up using some small pots with flowers in them and some more Pot Klips. The large vase with the spikes in it and the little pots are both painted with DecoArt Curb Appeal in Farmhouse White.
We also hung some ferns in this area. They add a bit of extra privacy on that side of the yard (and they look nice).
We’ve got a little navy shibori doormat right by the door (BB cat modeling above, closeup below). This and the rug under the table and benches are both from Target (#basic).
I have a few potted plants on the table, and in the rocky area on the far end of the deck (other side of the table), I’ve got some bigger potted plants and container veggies.
The gray hanging planters were a last-minute addition. I found them on Amazon after the planter I’d hung in the same spot broke, spilling dirt and flowers everywhere. I really like these planters. They don’t look cheap but are very lightweight. I like the rope hanger, too.
More plants
The pic above is Rolo Tony Brown Town caught in the act of digging in the yucca cane dirt, as a bad cat does. So let’s talk a little bit about the cat perches we put up!
No project around here is complete without something for Henry and Blanche (almost never referred to by their real names as they have approximately 500 other nicknames), so when Mike suggested cat perches up the deck, I RAN WITH IT. I was initially worried about whether they’d look too tacky, but I decided that even if they looked a little bit tacky, I’d be okay with them if the cats liked them.
The good news is that I do not think they look tacky, and the cats also love them. Well, mostly Buster cat, because little BB is slow to catch on to things…
While the cats are enjoying their new Neighborhood Watch Committee perches, we can be found laying on a blanket in the grass with little tootie.
The deck area sure makes for a nice view now!
But I must admit that the night view simply blows away the daytime view. The hanging globe string lights turning out wonderfully. They add just the right amount of light and give the space a really nice vibe once the sun starts setting.
Also known as the catting hour:
I love it. Really. It’s the perfect little space. Our backyard may be tiny, but I think we’ve maximized the space so far. Later in the summer, I’m planning some more landscaping along the fence perimeter. But for now, We’ll just be having drinks here…
How about some before and afters:
Want to know where stuff is from? Here’s a list for you. I think I got everything. If I missed something, just drop me a comment.
Source List
Plants:
- Painted pots: Mostly plain terracotta pots painted using Rustoleum satin black spray paint and DecoArt Curb Appeal in Farmhouse White
- Non-painted pots: Ollie’s Bargain Outlet and a local garden center
- Pot Klips
- Pot sealer
- Hanging planters used for ferns
- Hanging planters used for the bacopa and vinca
Rock landscaping:
- Delaware rock, bought in bulk from a local garden supply center
- Cheap pavers from any big-box garden supply store
- No-dig landscape edging
- Landscaping fabric
- Landscaping pins
HVAC screen, table, benches, and garden beds:
- All DIY—posts here: HVAC screen, garden beds
- Eveyrthing stained to match in Varathane wood stain in Kona
- All finished using Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane in Satin
Miscellaneous:
- Wooden unicorn swing finished with Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane in Satin for extra protection; hanging hardware
- Globe string lights
- Navy pattern stripe rug
- Shibori doormat
- Expandable, lightweight hose (worth every penny, folks)
- Cat perches: DIY using scrap wood, stained using Minwax stain in Natural, and finished with two coats of Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane in Satin. Hung using regular indoor shelf brackets sprayed down with a Rustoleum rust-proof white spray paint.
(In July, I posted an update about some of the changes we’ve made to this space. See the updated post here!)
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Shop the things my tiny backyard couldn’t do without on Amazon:
THE PLANTS! THE LIGHTS! What a way to finish strong!!! Great Work!
Thank you so much!!
Wow Brittany! This is amazing! It looks SO GOOD! I love the cat perches and the unicorn swing that really make it so personal. You accomplished a ton!
Thanks Jess! I love the perches too, so glad Mike suggested them
It looks amazing! You guys are going to enjoy this outdoor space all year long- congrats!
brittany, it’s beautiful! what an awesome transformation! i love the woods and blues and plants! so gorgeous!
Thanks lady!! Come bring Wilder over when he’s big enough for the swing! 😉
Oh Brittany – this turned out lovely!. Such a great idea to take your plants vertical. But your sweet babe in that baby swing is just precious! And you’re right – the nighttime lighting is really special. Congratulations on a makeover well done!
Thanks ladies!!
What a great makeover! And love that the kitties get to enjoy your beautiful outdoor space too.
The kitties rule the roost around here…the goal is to keep them sufficiently occupied in the backyard so they don’t try to climb the fence and escape 🙂 So far, so good!
Whoa!! I am blown away!! It doesn’t even look like the same space! That decking is gorgeous!
This is a jawdropper – congrats on a stunning reveal!
Thanks so much Jen!
Amazing!! I love all of the hanging plants and the vertical ones, too! Such a gorgeous fresh, modern look out there! Such perfect timing to have the space finished to be able to enjoy in the warmer months! Love it all, Brittany!
I know, it’s the perfect space for us to hang out in when we get home from work. And I’m hoping that being a covered area means we’ll be able to use it when it gets really hot out, too
You did a beautiful job Brittany! I wish I had a backyard space with this much style! LOVE everything you’ve done! I’m sure your kitty is appreciated that perch too, lol.
I love it!!! Is it just me or does it look so much bigger now? The potted herbs on the posts are so cute! I wish I had your green thumb 🙂 Now go out there and relax!
This turned out so fantastic! What a lovely and functional backyard you now have… I love the ambiance in the evening and am glad you included those photos. Great job!
Omg Brittany, it looks stunning! What an impressive transformation. It looks like an amazing place to hang out. I am so jealous of your garden, I hope it yields a lot of awesome veggies this summer!
Your patio turned out amazing! I love the swing, and I love how you can hook it out of the way whenever. Ah, everything looks so great!
Such a great yard for your adorable baby girl! Can’t forget the cats either. Love how you guys thought of everyone for this backyard. Loving those plants and I really love how everything looks at night! Enjoy this space. Summer is approaching! Woohoo
Your backyard is absolutely lovely and adorable. It seems so zen.. so peaceful and fun to have a meal here. Love all the plants and dark furniture. It is true that we have different styles but I have a total appreciation for your excellent taste!
I have fallen in love with your backyard. It is just beautiful!!!
Thank you so much Darlene!!
Brittany I cannot get over how you optimized this space! It looks so amazing especially at night and I love all your plantings. Such a great little outdoor room to enjoy with your sweet girl!
Your yard looks great! What a perfect spot to enjoy with your family (cats included)!!
Brittany, babe, this looks so good! You are giving me the encouragement that I need to tackle my backyard. I love ALL the little detail. I almost was going to ask where you got your grass from because it looks that different…I was scrolling for that source until I realized it has been there the whole time. LOL!
LOL! My husband has been fertilizing the grass like crazy…which is great because it looks awesome, bad because it needs mowed every other day (at least it feels like it).
Brittany this looks wonderful! I love all of your plants and those lights lit up at night make it such a homey space to be in. Love the cat perches and it looks they do too. Great makeover, congratulations on a beautiful job well done!!
What an amazing outdoor space!!! I’m so jealous and want to makeover our deck! I just want to sit at that table and have a cocktail! 🙂
Many a cocktail will be had (and have already been had) at this table 🙂
A unicorn swing!! So cool! Your deck looks amazing. (I hope that you sometimes refer to it as the cat-io) Hopefully you get to spend lots of time out there enjoying it. 🙂
Oh my goodness!! I only have a deck to work with so I’m envying not only the space you have but how gorgeous it is!!!! I’m coming over for a backyard coffee! 😉
It looks fantastic!! Such a great space!
Wow, what a transformation!! I love what you did with all the Delaware rock & that HVAC screen was pure genius! Everything looks so awesome!
What a beautiful space! I love how you went vertical with plants… so smart.
Holy moly – you are a miracle worker! I love how you transformed your backyard – that wood lattice screen makes that corner look gorgeous now, and all the plants just make me happy. Job well done!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a prettier backyard. I love all your details, especially the lights. This was super inspiring.
Brittany, I am finally getting back to seeing your fabulous backyard reveal. The dark stained privacy fence, the vertical planters and the precious swing. It looks like a wonderful place to relax outside this summer. Great job and wonderful inspiration. Pinning to my Outdoor board.
Love what you did. What did you use for the decking?
Thanks! It’s a Trex-like composite decking (not Trex brand) from Home Depot.