Small yards get a bad rap, but honestly? They’re way easier to make look amazing than sprawling properties. The trick is choosing plants that work with your space instead of fighting it. That’s where arborvitae come in—these versatile evergreens pack serious visual punch without hogging every inch of your limited real estate.
I’ve designed dozens of small yard transformations using arborvitae, and they consistently deliver that modern, polished look homeowners crave. Whether you’re dealing with a narrow city lot, a tiny suburban backyard, or a compact townhouse courtyard, these ideas will help you maximize your space while keeping things fresh and contemporary. Let’s make your small yard look intentionally cozy instead of just… small.
1. Vertical Privacy Walls
You go vertical when there isn’t enough horizontal space. Degroot’s Spire and Sky Pencil are examples of columnar arborvitae that produce narrow privacy screens that shoot upward rather than outward. These took up less than two feet of yard space and provided total privacy when I used them along a client’s 12-foot property line.
These slim varieties are perfect for modern small yards because they provide screening without that claustrophobic “walled-in” feeling. You get 10-15 feet of height but only 18-24 inches of width at maturity. That’s a game-changer when every square foot counts.
Why columnar varieties work for small spaces:
- Minimal footprint (under 2 feet wide)
- Maximum height for privacy and screening
- Creates vertical lines that make spaces feel larger
- Doesn’t overwhelm compact yards
Plant them 2-3 feet apart for a solid screen, or space them 4-5 feet apart for a more modern, open look. Either way, you’re using minimal ground space for maximum impact.
2. Corner Sculptural Statements
A good focal point is essential in modern landscaping, and small yards require them even more. Use a single statement arborvitae with a distinctive form or color in place of conventional corner clusters to add immediate architectural interest without taking up valuable space.
I recently planted a single Fire Chief arborvitae (the one that turns bronze-red in winter) in a tiny yard corner, and it completely transformed the space. One well-chosen plant beats a crowded cluster every time in small yards. The clean, simple approach feels intentionally modern rather than cramped.
Choosing the Right Statement Plant
Look for varieties with unique characteristics:
- Fire Chief – seasonal color change
- Anna’s Magic Ball – perfect sphere shape
- Smaragd Variegated – cream-edged foliage
- Spring Grove – narrow pyramid with texture
These work because they’re interesting enough to hold attention solo. You don’t need five plants competing for space when one distinctive specimen does the job beautifully.
3. Minimalist Foundation Lines
Small homes may appear even smaller due to the overwhelming effect of traditional foundation plantings. Instead of packed mixed plantings, modern foundation design employs uniformly spaced arborvitae in a clean line. Small houses appear larger as a result of the rhythm and simplicity this produces.
I replaced a client’s messy foundation bed (complete with overgrown shrubs and random perennials) with five perfectly spaced Little Giant arborvitae. The transformation was ridiculous—their house suddenly looked twice as large and way more modern. The uniform repetition creates visual order that small spaces desperately need.
| Spacing Style | Plants Needed | Visual Effect | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tight (3 ft) | More plants | Dense, formal | Traditional homes |
| Medium (4 ft) | Fewer plants | Balanced | Most small homes |
| Sparse (5+ ft) | Minimal | Open, modern | Contemporary design |
The secret is commitment to uniformity. All the same variety, all the same size, all evenly spaced. No mixing, no “variety for interest”—just clean, modern repetition.
4. Space-Saving Container Gardens
Arborvitae grow beautifully in large containers, which makes them ideal for patios, decks, and balconies where ground planting isn’t even an option. This is something that most people overlook. I have used containerized arborvitae to create complete privacy screens on small urban patios.
Dwarf varieties like Mr. Bowling Ball or Teddy stay compact enough for containers while providing year-round structure. You can move them around as needed, which is perfect for renters or people who like to switch up their design. Plus, containers add height variation automatically, creating visual interest in flat spaces.
Container requirements for healthy arborvitae:
- Minimum 20-gallon container size
- Good drainage holes (critical!)
- Quality potting mix, not garden soil
- Regular watering (containers dry out faster)
This approach works especially well for small yards where you want privacy on a deck or patio but don’t have room for in-ground planting. The mobility factor is just a bonus 🙂
5. Living Fence Panels
Conventional fences can make small yards feel cramped and enclosed, like prison yards. Without the substantial visual weight of solid fencing, narrow arborvitae hedges produce “living fence panels” that offer privacy and boundary definition. Much more attractive and contemporary.
I designed a small backyard using Emerald Green arborvitae planted 2 feet apart to create fence-like sections between existing fence posts. The result feels open and green rather than boxed-in. You get the function of a fence with the aesthetic of a garden, which is exactly what small modern yards need.
The key difference from traditional hedges? Keep them narrow (3-4 feet max) and use them strategically rather than surrounding your entire property. Create “panels” where you need privacy, and leave other areas open to maintain visual flow.
6. Tiered Height Design
Different heights that add depth and give the impression of more space are very beneficial for small yards. To create layers that deceive the eye into thinking there is more space, I use arborvitae in three different height categories: low (2-3 feet), medium (5-7 feet), and tall (10+ feet).
Start with a tall, narrow variety like Degroot’s Spire in the back corner (this creates the vertical backdrop). Add medium-height plants like Little Giant in the middle zones. Finish with low globes like Mr. Bowling Ball in front. This layering creates dimension that flat, single-height plantings can’t achieve.
The Modern Twist
Instead of blending heights together traditionally, group each height in distinct zones. All your tall plants together in back, all medium plants in their zone, all low plants up front. This creates clean, modern blocks of form rather than the fussy mixed planting that can make small yards look cluttered.
Think of it like modern architecture—clean lines, distinct forms, intentional placement. Not “let’s throw everything together and hope it works out.”
7. Dramatic Entry Framing
Small front yards must quickly leave a lasting impression. Without taking up much room, two identical columnar arborvitae on either side of your front door or walk create instant modern drama. This method consistently works on townhouses with yards that are only 15 feet wide.
The vertical emphasis draws eyes upward, making your home’s facade feel taller and more impressive. Plus, the symmetry feels intentionally designed rather than accidentally landscaped. FYI, this is probably the easiest high-impact change you can make to a small front yard.
Choose varieties that won’t outgrow the space—for most small homes, that means staying under 12 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Degroot’s Spire and Emerald Green both work perfectly. Plant them 4-5 feet from your entry on each side, and you’ve created an entrance that feels grand despite limited square footage.
8. Multi-Functional Border Strips
Small yards can’t afford single-purpose plantings. Narrow arborvitae borders along property lines or pathways serve triple duty as privacy screens, visual boundaries, and green backdrops for other plantings. I use this approach constantly in space-challenged designs.
The trick is choosing varieties that stay narrow naturally. A single row of Emerald Green arborvitae planted 3 feet from your property line creates privacy, defines the space, and provides a backdrop for lower plantings in front—all while using less than 6 feet of yard depth. That’s efficient modern design, IMO.
What makes this work in small spaces:
- Uses vertical space instead of horizontal
- Serves multiple functions simultaneously
- Creates structure without overwhelming
- Provides year-round backdrop for seasonal plants
Put low-maintenance perennials in front of your arborvitae border, such as daylilies, ornamental grasses, or sedum. While the evergreens provide the long-term structure, you get seasonal color and texture. Small yards feel more substantial thanks to the depth this layered approach adds.
Maintenance Considerations
One reason this works so well for small yards is low maintenance. You’re not constantly trimming, replacing, or fussing with multiple plant types. The arborvitae maintain themselves, and you choose tough perennials that don’t need babying. Less work, better results—that’s the small yard mantra.
Making Small Yards Work Harder
The reality of small yard design? Every plant needs to earn its space. You can’t afford decorative-only plantings that don’t contribute to function. Arborvitae deliver privacy, structure, screening, and year-round interest while taking up minimal space. That’s exactly what modern small yards need.
I’ve watched homeowners completely transform their relationship with small yards by switching from “we don’t have enough space” to “we’re using our space strategically.” Arborvitae make that shift possible because they’re versatile enough to solve multiple problems simultaneously.
Think vertical instead of horizontal. Choose narrow over wide. Commit to clean lines over cluttered variety. Use every plant purposefully. These principles, combined with the right arborvitae varieties, turn cramped yards into cozy outdoor rooms that feel intentionally designed.
Your tiny yard isn’t a barrier; rather, it’s a chance to create something contemporary and targeted that larger yards can’t match. Accept the limitation, make thoughtful plant selections, and see how your small area becomes far more impressive than those expansive suburban lawns. When you design well, size is irrelevant.