10 Landscaping Ideas That Made Our Yard Look Way Bigger

Our yard isn’t huge, but we wanted it to feel bigger. For a while, it looked chopped up and crowded—even though we hadn’t added much to it. After some trial and error (and a few things we had to undo), we found small landscaping changes that really opened things up.

These updates didn’t require a full overhaul, but they made the space feel more open, connected, and intentional. Here are 10 ideas that actually worked for us.

Used Curved Edging Instead of Straight Lines

Straight lines made the yard feel rigid and boxy. Once we switched to curved garden beds and soft shapes, the whole space started to feel more open.

Curved edges trick the eye into thinking there’s more room than there really is. Plus, they look more natural and help the yard flow better from one area to the next.

Added a Diagonal Pathway

We had a straight path cutting across the yard, and it made everything look smaller and more narrow. So we pulled it up and laid a new one at a diagonal.

That small change helped stretch the view and made the space feel wider. It also drew the eye across more of the yard, instead of straight through it.

Kept the Corners Clear

For a while, we had big plants shoved into every corner. It made the yard feel boxed in and even smaller than it was.

We cleared them out and left the corners more open. Now the whole space feels less cramped, and the sightlines make it feel like it keeps going.

Picked Fewer, Larger Plants

We used to cram in a bunch of small plants, thinking it would fill things out. But it just looked cluttered. So we simplified and picked fewer, larger plants.

It gave the yard a cleaner look and helped create structure without visual noise. Bigger plants also tend to anchor the space better and make everything feel more intentional.

Matched the Mulch Across Beds

We had different types of mulch in different spots—red here, black there, rocks in between. It made the yard feel chopped up.

We picked one mulch and used it consistently across all the beds. It unified the whole space and made the yard feel larger and more connected without changing anything else.

Extended Flower Beds Outward

Instead of hugging the beds right up against the fence, we extended them out a couple feet into the yard. It felt counterintuitive at first, but it worked.

Pulling beds away from the edges gave more shape and interest to the yard. It broke up the flat look and added visual depth we didn’t have before.

Chose Lighter Hardscaping

Dark pavers and gravel made our patio and path areas feel heavy and closed in. We swapped them for lighter tones, and the yard instantly felt more open.

Lighter materials reflect more light and make everything feel brighter and bigger. It’s a small design choice that changes the whole vibe of the space.

Focused on Horizontal Lines

We added a low fence with horizontal boards and planted shrubs that grew outward instead of tall. It helped stretch the space visually.

Long, horizontal lines naturally draw your eyes side to side, which makes the yard feel wider. Vertical elements, on the other hand, can make things feel tighter if overdone.

Broke It Into Zones

Instead of one big open area, we created small zones—like a seating spot, a garden area, and a little play zone. It gave everything a purpose without feeling crowded.

Oddly enough, breaking the yard into sections made it feel bigger, not smaller. Defined zones help you use every part of the yard without overwhelming it.

Cleaned Up the Fence Line

We had ivy, vines, and random clutter along the back fence. It made the yard feel shorter and messier. Clearing it out made a huge difference.

A clean, open fence line gave us back visual space. We didn’t even realize how much it was closing things in until it was gone.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.