How much space do you have? You can't really reduce the amount of space a single plant takes up. You can grow them in a row on wires which can be kept a couple of feet wide. They don't necessarily spread 'like crazy' if you mow or weed out canes growing outside the allowed width. My raspberry bed began with six canes and is about 3 feet wide by 15 feet long.

I'd look at BrazelBerries 'Raspberry Shortcake' - a very dense and compact plant that produces an abundance of berries. These were developed for container culture but does just as well in the ground, although please note the comment at the bottom of the link - they DO spread.

I have two of these planted in containers and they provide enough berries for a single person. If a larger family or a need for enough for jams, etc. I'd probably up that to at least 6 plants.

Thank Gardengal & floral_UK. I live on an acre, but between the house, the driveway, the wooded/shady areas, the regular garden, and the kids toys, I've got some limitations. My parents used to have raspberries taking over an embankment on their property, and my neighbor across the street (with a much sunnier yard) uses them as a hedge. All I can envision is this huge wall of berries. I'll definitely look into the wire set-up.

My allotment is 15 feet wide by about 45 feet long. I have raspberries, black and red currants, gooseberries, blue berries and plums. And that is only a third of the plot. The rest is vegetables. On an acre you can easily have a raspberry bed. BTW in the wild Raspberries grow on woodland edges. They can cope with a little dappled shade.