The tiny house movement has seen a boom in recent years. Tiny homes are a great way to downsize your living situation to save money, reduce your carbon footprint, or simply practice a more minimalist lifestyle.
Social media paints a pretty picture of perfectly styled homes free of clutter and full of creative space-saving solutions. As the name suggests, one big thing tiny homes share is their size. But they vary widely in style and even in execution. Some tiny houses are on wheels, with camper trailers being a popular base for building a small home. Others are modeled after miniature cabins and cottages. Still more are built from repurposed buildings and other materials, like storage sheds and even shipping containers.
Getting creative with the design of your tiny home is a must if you want to make the most of your space while also ensuring that it is functional. The same goes for your landscaping. The landscaping trends that work in a large home or other property might not translate well to a tiny house.
If you are looking to give your tiny home a refresh, keep reading to learn our top tiny house landscaping ideas.
1. Living Walls
One of the best ways to maximize your space in and around a tiny home is by going vertical. Tiny house designs often include things like lofts that function as a bedroom, staircases with built-in storage, and high ceilings to make the space feel larger. Some of the best tiny house landscaping ideas incorporate a similar concept.
Living walls, sometimes called vertical gardens or green walls, are a great landscaping solution for small spaces. These lush, living walls can be designed to accommodate a wide variety of plants, ranging from flowers to herbs to greenery.
Living walls provide beauty as well as functionality. Not only do they allow you to make the most of your space so that you can enjoy greenery without losing valuable floor space, but they also have some practical purposes. They can provide insulation, act as natural air purifiers, and provide privacy in small outdoor spaces. Tiny homeowners with limited ground space outside can utilize a vertical garden to bring some natural elements into their design.
2. Container Gardens
Tiny homes tend to come with tiny lots and tiny yards. As a result, tiny house landscaping ideas have to get creative to make up for a lack of garden or lawn space. Container gardens offer a versatile and adaptable landscaping option for tiny houses. Whether you have a small balcony, deck, or even a compact backyard, containers allow you to grow a variety of greenery, ranging from annual plants to herbs to some vegetables. You do not need extensive garden beds and tons of space to enjoy a garden or even just a little greenery in your space.
One of the best things about container gardens for your tiny home is that you can customize the look of your gardens. Choose from traditional terracotta pots, modern, space-saving solutions like vertical plants, or even hanging baskets. You can even put this tiny house landscaping idea to work inside of your home!
3. Utilize Multi-Purpose Furniture
Not all tiny house landscaping ideas deal with plants and greenery. Using multi-purpose furniture in your outdoor spaces is another great way to make the most of your space. For instance, built-in benches can double as storage for gardening tools, outdoor cushions, and more. Tables with hidden compartments can store small pots, gardening gloves, and other essentials. If you are already living in a tiny home, you already know how important it is for every single inch of your space to serve a purpose. Including some multi-function pieces in your outdoor spaces can help with this.
4. Pest Control is Important
When you are utilizing container gardens close to your home or even inside your house or vertical gardens on the exterior of your home, pest control becomes even more important. When pests appear on your plants, they will likely appear in your home not long after. Hiring a home pest control company can help you stay ahead of the problem. That way, you can enjoy your gardens without putting your home at risk.
5. Maintaining a Small-Space Yard is a Must, Too
Much like pest control, maintaining your yard is even more important when living in a tiny home. Things like poor drainage or a falling tree branch can have a devastating effect on your home. If your yard has any trees, it is important to hire an arborist company soon after your move-in date to take a look. They will analyze your trees and their health, and let you know whether you could suffer from lost branches and other damage.
If the tree company does spot an issue, you will need a tree trimming company next. They will trim or remove any dangerous trees to prevent them from falling and causing damage to your home, or worse, injuring you or a family member. In extreme cases, a tree removal company may need to remove it entirely.
If your home has a sprinkler, you will also want to bring in sprinkler maintenance companies to make sure that everything is in working order in your new home. A small leak in a sprinkler can turn into major flooding and water damage in your tiny home. Speaking of flooding, under deck drain systems can help ensure that your tiny home outdoor space is draining properly.
While these regular maintenance tasks might not sound like tiny house landscaping ideas, getting the maintenance and upkeep of your tiny house in order is a must if you want to be able to enjoy your outdoor spaces.
6. Add a Miniature Garden or Rock Garden
Zen gardens, with their simplicity and tranquility, are an excellent choice for tiny house landscaping. These miniature landscapes typically feature carefully raked sand or gravel, along with strategically placed rocks and a few select plants. Zen gardens create a serene and meditative atmosphere, making them ideal for relaxation and contemplation in a small outdoor space.
Rock gardens are another low-maintenance landscaping idea that works well for tiny houses. Instead of traditional gardens with lush greenery, rock gardens incorporate an array of stones, gravel, and drought-resistant plants. They not only conserve water but also require minimal upkeep. This design is perfect for dry or arid climates where water conservation is a priority.
7. Tiered Gardens
Tiered gardens are a fantastic solution for adding depth and dimension to a small outdoor area. These gardens consist of multiple levels or terraces that can hold a variety of plants, from ground cover and perennials at the bottom to shrubs and small trees at the top. Tiered gardens are not only visually appealing but also create more efficient use of space by making the most of vertical elements.
Tiered gardens are similar to living walls in that they help add visual effects with a smaller blueprint. But tiered gardens offer more visual appeal and growing space for tiny home yards with a little more room to work with.
8. Herb Gardens
Herb gardens are a must for tiny house enthusiasts who love to cook with fresh ingredients. Even in a limited outdoor space, you can grow a wide range of herbs in containers or small raised beds. Herbs like basil, rosemary, thyme, and mint are easy to cultivate and add flavor to your meals. Plus, they make your outdoor space smell wonderful.
Surprisingly, there are seemingly endless places to grow an herb garden in a tiny home. Some herbs can be grown on a living wall. Tiered gardens and container gardens are also great options for a small space.
9. Japanese-style Gardens
Japanese-style gardens are known for their peaceful and harmonious designs. They often incorporate elements like bamboo, water features, stone pathways, and carefully pruned trees. The key to a successful Japanese-style garden in a tiny space is to focus on simplicity, balance, and careful placement of each element. These gardens provide a serene environment to unwind and reflect.
When living quarters are tight, it is not unusual for tensions to run high. Having a zen space inside or just outside of your home is a great way to de-stress.
10. Adding Hardscaping Elements
Incorporating hardscaping elements such as stone pathways, pavers, and decking can help define different areas of your outdoor space and create structure. These features can be designed to complement the overall aesthetics of your tiny house and garden while also making it more accessible. When you are choosing which tiny house landscaping ideas to follow, do not forget to talk to your mulch supplier and lighting expert about getting that hardscaping up to par
Do not forget fence installation. Just because your tiny house and yard are short on space does not mean that you will not benefit from a fence, especially if you have pets or neighbors that are very close by.
11. Pergolas and Arbors for Shade and Effect
Pergolas and arbors can transform your outdoor space into a shaded, inviting retreat. By growing climbing plants such as grapevines, wisteria, or clematis on these structures, you will create a lush, green canopy that offers privacy and shade. Pergolas and arbors also serve as ideal spots for outdoor seating or dining areas.
In a tiny home, having a usable outdoor living space can be a huge benefit. It gives you space to move around, dine, entertain, and more, that is not inside your small home. The best tiny house landscaping ideas are those that not only add beauty to your space but also functionality.
12. Miniature Water Features
A Zen Japanese garden is not the only way to utilize your outdoor space as a place to relax. The soothing sound of running water can make a small outdoor space feel more tranquil and inviting. Miniature water features like tabletop fountains or small pond-less waterfalls can be incorporated into your tiny house landscaping. These features do not take up much space but provide a sense of serenity and connection to nature.
Some tiny home yards and outdoor spaces simply do not have the room for large plants, tiered gardens, living walls, or some of the other tiny house landscaping ideas on this list. If that is the case in your space, a miniature water feature or other hardscaping elements are a great alternative.
13. Get Creative With Edible Landscaping
Edible landscaping merges aesthetics with practicality. Instead of traditional ornamental plants, incorporate fruit trees, berry bushes, and vegetable gardens into your outdoor space. Not only does this add a unique and productive element to your landscaping, but it also ensures a fresh supply of fruits and vegetables right at your doorstep.
14. Fairy Gardens
Want to add a touch of whimsy and fun to your outdoor living space in your tiny home? A fairy garden might be just the thing.
Fairy gardens are a delightful and whimsical landscaping idea that appeals to both children and adults. These miniature gardens often feature tiny structures like fairy houses, miniature furniture, and small figurines. Create a tiny, magical world in your garden to inspire the imagination of visitors and passersby. The best thing about fairy gardens, besides how small they are, is that they are easy to customize to fit your style and needs.
Utilizing the Best Tiny House Landscaping Ideas
Your home’s landscaping and outdoor living space can either be a drain on your time and energy, or an incredible chance to expand your living area outdoors. This is even more true in tiny homes. When space comes at a premium, making the most of any space that you do have is important to make your home functional, and one that you will love for years to come.
These tiny house landscaping ideas are a great starting point for designing your home’s landscaping, gardens, and other lawn spaces. From utilizing containers, living walls, and tiered gardens, to trying out unique garden styles like a Japanese zen garden, these tips are some of the best for making the most of your tiny home’s tiny size. Try out a few of our tips to see how they work in and around your home today!
