Living in Westwood has a lot going for it. You get great walkability, you are close to UCLA and the Village, and honestly, it is hard to beat the location in West LA. The one thing you usually do not get is a big backyard. Most lots here are on the smaller side, so when it comes time to remodel, you need a different approach than you would for a big estate.
Before you pick up the phone to call a contractor, take a few minutes to go through this checklist. It will save you time, help you avoid surprises, and make your first meeting with a landscape designer much more productive.
1. Measure Your Actual Usable Space
Not every part of a small yard is actually usable. Once you take out space for utility access, side walkways, or those odd corners, you might find your real usable area is smaller than you thought. Start your planning from that real number, not just what it says on your property survey.
2. Pick One or Two Priorities, Not Five
A small lot just cannot fit everything: an outdoor kitchen, dining set, lounge area, and garden bed. If you try to squeeze in too much, the space will feel crowded. Decide early what matters most to you. Is it entertaining, relaxing, space for kids or pets, or maybe just easy-care greenery? Once you know your top priority, the rest of the design can support that, rather than competing for space.
3. Plan for Multi-Purpose Hardscape
In a compact yard, every hardscape element should do more than one job. A patio can double as a dining area and a walkway. A low seat wall can replace the need for separate outdoor furniture. Built-in planters along a fence line add greenery without taking up floor space you need for walking or sitting.
4. Think About Privacy Early
Because Westwood lots often sit close to neighboring homes, privacy tends to be a bigger concern here than in more spread-out neighborhoods. Decide now whether you want plantings, a partial screen, or a combination, so your designer can build it into the layout from the start rather than adding it as an afterthought.
5. Choose Low-Maintenance Plantings
A small yard that you see every day (from the kitchen window or the back door) really stands out. Using drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plants keeps things looking good without a lot of work, which is even more important when any little bit of neglect is easy to spot.
6. Set a Realistic Budget Range Before You Get Quotes
Having a budget range in mind before you talk to a contractor helps keep things realistic from the start. It is much easier to design something that fits your budget right away, instead of coming up with your dream yard and then having to cut things out later.
7. Ask About Permits Before You Assume You Do Not Need One
Even small projects sometimes need permits, especially if you are adding a retaining wall, doing electrical work for lighting, or changing the drainage. It is always best to ask your contractor up front, instead of assuming you will not need one just because the yard is small.
8. Get a Realistic Timeline
Even a small backyard remodel takes some time. There is site prep, hardscape work, planting, and sometimes delays from weather or waiting on materials. Having a realistic timeline helps you avoid surprises and keeps the process less stressful.
Small Lot, Real Results
But just because your Westwood yard is small does not mean it has to feel that way. If you set your priorities early, a compact lot can actually end up being more functional and enjoyable than a bigger yard that was not planned out as carefully.
Working Through the Checklist With a Designer
Once you have gone through this list, bring your notes to your first meeting with a landscape designer. If you already know your priorities, your budget, and your privacy needs, the designer can spend that first meeting working on a real plan with you, instead of just asking basic questions. This usually means you get a faster, more focused design process, since the designer is not left guessing what matters most to you.
Being prepared like this is even more important on a small lot than a big one. On a larger property, you can usually adjust things later if something does not work out. But on a Westwood-sized lot, there is not as much wiggle room, so getting your priorities right from the start really makes a difference.
Thinking about remodeling your backyard in Westwood? At Design Scapes Inc., we love helping people make the most of their small city lots. Feel free to reach out if you would like a walkthrough of your space.
