So many of us become overwhelmed by our large lawns and do not take advantage of the unique and underutilized spaces our yards have to offer. I recently moved into a home with a large yard and I can honestly confess that for the first couple of months I was at such a loss. I wondered what to do with the empty space. It is easy to think that you need to start with large statement pieces to get your garden into working order. That is a common misconception; it is a wise decision to start with a smaller miniature gardening plot that will leave a large impact.

Let's begin by talk about side yards - an unusual space that is often filled with weeds, hoses, odd pots, and leftover lumber. It is a space that should be celebrated instead of hidden and there are some fun and magical ways to dress up your side yard. One of my favorite discoveries involves turning that space into a large fairy garden along the side of your home. The coolest miniature theme I have had the chance to see was a beach miniscape with a seaside fairy home. To create the look, follow the foundation border with a layer of white sand, and then add blue stones to simulate water and miniature accessories that play up your favorite day at the beach. If your miniature or fairy garden is in a shady area, the hardscape of sand and stones will be easy to maintain. To add some texture and greenery, I enjoy including plants and shrubs to my miniature garden. The length of the miniscape allows you to combine multiple special moments and memories into the scene.

Now it is time to place your favorite beach theme fairy cottage on top of the dunes. Next, start with a pair of miniature beach chairs and include a table with fruity drinks. As you move along the beach, you could add a beach umbrella, hammock, and volleyball net. Surround the bonfire pit with rocks or small twigs, resembling logs, to finalize the miniscape. I think picking out accessories that reflects your taste adds a personal touch to the design and makes the side yard come alive.

Another large benefit of miniature or fairy gardening is that if you are just starting out or unsure how to use an otherwise 'unusable space' you could attempt a similar miniscape that offers some personality to your yard. When you first move into a home or just want a change in your yard, do not overlook spaces simply because they present a challenge - celebrate what your landscape has to offer and add some mini accessories.