When planning a garden, not everyone has an estate sized yard to work with. Just because you have a small area or even just a balcony, doesn't mean you can't still have your own outdoor paradise. Here are some space saving tips to that may come in handy when landscaping in small places.

Use portable containers that you can hang off a deck railing or strategically place in convenient locations.

Tidy up your yard. Have you ever noticed that even the inside of your house looks bigger once it's free of clutter? The same rule applies to your yard. If you're having trouble hiding tools or other garden supplies, add a small tool shed or a decorative bamboo fence to hide it.

Save on space by using items with a dual purpose. For instance, decorative urns can double up as bird bath or hose holder. Watch for these types of items in your travels.

Think outside of the garden box when you are growing plants. Cherry tomatoes take up barely any room when planted in a hanging planter. Instead of growing cucumbers and squash along the ground, allow their vines to trail up a trellis or along a fence rail. The same goes for trees. Plant an apple tree, or similar fruit tree in front of a fence. Extend the branches out to the sides and tie, so that the tree is growing horizontally along the fence line. In the spring your fence will be full of blossoms, and in the fall, look for apples strung across.

Have you always wanted a pond, but never had the space? Place a hanging fountain on your wall, complete with flowering water plants and the sound of running water. You may even have enough space to add some small fish.

A large table with chairs can quickly crowd a deck. Try looking for smaller accessories, but keep them bold and colorful so they'll still stand out. In some areas, just the addition of a single bench may be all you need.

Look for skinny trees. A mature spruce tree can reach heights of 50 feet and grow to over 30 feet wide, which may be larger than your entire yard. Look for smaller species of evergreens that don't grow any more than 6 feet across.

Look for opportunities to fill wasted or ill used space. Add small planters, or plant 3 or 4 flowers in a row to decorate a plain wooden fence. Make the most of vertical space and allow your plants to grow up along a trellis or wall.

Even the smallest yard can have a tasteful entrance. Add an inviting arbor on your front walkway and allow vines to grow around it. Some hardy species include Boston ivy, clematis or hops.

When working with a small patio or deck, try raising it a step or two. The extra height makes it stand out and actually seems larger than it is.

When creating an area for outdoor seating, always center it around a scenic area with a view. If none is available, create one. It could be as simple as a small pond, fountain or even a bird bath with some bird feeders to attract wildlife.