SMALL GARDEN IDEAS

Small G ARDEN IDE A S

Maximise the potential of your compact space by giving these ideas a go for a stylish update – your outdoor space will instantly feel bigger and brighter

he best small garden

Tideas need to be practical, stylish, and easy-to-implement. A bit of design know-how can transform a cramped courtyard or an urban square of lawn bordered by dull fencing. In fact, it’s surprisingly simple to create a successful space that’s both attractive and functional, even on small plots.

Every good garden design needs to take the surrounding area into account. This is particularly important with smaller gardens, where neighbouring houses can affect the end result. Be realistic about what you can achieve. Whether you’re planning a complete overhaul or a few tweaks, our design tricks will help you nail it.

Get ready to see your city balcony, tiny country garden, shady patio area or even that lacklustre patch of lawn be transformed into an extraordinary small garden space.

Cram with patterns

If you’re more maximalist than minimalist, then don’t let size stop you. When it comes to pattern, go big! Go bold! Small garden layouts can come to life when adorned in layers of texture and vivid colour.

Embrace the boholook with patterned outdoor cushions, rugs and throws, then match your planting, too, by choosing lots of brightly coloured grasses and flowers.

Such an explosion of colour is bound to bring plenty of joy and will keep your small space full of interest.

Paint life into garden furniture

When you’re working with a tiny garden, balcony or even courtyard, colour is your friend. Add a pop of a vibrant colour by investing in bright furniture, or paint your own, as done in this corner seating area.

Make sure that you complement your colour choice with similar tones in accessories to make your colourful corner really come to life.

Consider adding a multifunctional summerhouse

A bright summerhouse or she shed is a gorgeous addition to a small patio. It will not only be the perfect canvas for gorgeous seating, accessories and lighting, but it’s also an ideal shady retreat for long summer days.

Your options are limitless with a summerhouse or small garden room. Turn yours into a garden office so that you can work from home in peace and quiet, or keep it as a snug for balmy evenings when only a book and a glass of wine will do.

Double the space with a mirror

If your garden feels small and overly square, then there’s a few tricks you can try to make it more interesting. One of the best ways to make it feel more spacious is to add garden mirrors – the bigger the better. Hang one up along a wall and not only will it help to bounce the light around, it will also create an illusion of space – your garden will be instantly doubled!

Another way to prevent your plot feeling cramped is to use uninterrupted lines. As seen on the wood panelling on these walls, it helps to elongate the space.

Zone your space

Work out how best to use your space. Trying to squeeze in too much will often leave the final design feeling busy. Creating a separate streamlined dining area (near the house for practical reasons) and lounging area (in the most secluded spot) helps to maximise space and works even in the smallest garden.

Aim to incorporate an element of surprise with a ‘big reveal’, where a calm, secluded space that can’t really be seen from the house is there when you turn a corner.

Save space with hooks

Making the most of small gardens is all about optimising the available space. And, whilst storage units are great, they often take up valuable room on the floor.

So, what’s a brilliant storage solution which takes up zero floor space whatsoever? Hooks! Especially when it comes to ones that are sturdy enough to hang furniture on.

Place them up high on a sturdy wall or fence and you can tuck those chairs out of the way when they’re not in use for instant extra space. Double win if the wall is the same colour as the chair, for some colour blocking goodness.

And whilst we’re admiring this blue-hued vision, check out the table too, which has a built-in trough for plants, saving space for extra containers.

Layer up the lighting

Garden lighting ideas are key in outdoor spaces of all shapes and sizes, and in a small garden space lighting can enhance the area in a natural way. The combination of different sized lanterns dotted on the floor and on the table creates ambience like no other.

Add festoon lights up above too and you could even have a three-layered lighting scheme in play which would make this tiny garden space dynamic and, we’re sure you’ll agree, a little magical.

Go bold with flooring

With small gardens, every surface provides an opportunity for design. So why not arrange your garden around an eye-catching floor design?

Try bold-patterned tiles, soft-textured rugs, or how about using artificial grass for low-maintenance greenery? It’s a stunning way to create an indoor-outdoor feel, especially when space is restricted.

Pair with bright colours and potted succulents for a fresh feel to your sanctuary.

Decorate steps with colourful pots

Steps can be pretty unspectacular, right? They get you from A to B, and if there are lots, they’re not that fun to climb. But if your small garden features some, then why not include them in your carefully-curated miniature haven?

If they’re wide enough, add interesting containers or colourful pots bursting with blooms and foliage on each one. We can guarantee that those steps will then bring joy whenever you use them! Just be sure to push them all to the side of each step, and remember they’re there when the sun goes down so that you don’t accidentally trip.

Why not paint the adjacent wall a sunny colour too, such as this deep ochre, for extra warmth? You might then be tempted to perch on them for a morning cuppa, to admire the bright backdrop.

Create a secluded area

If your compact outdoor space is overlooked consider including some garden privacy ideas. Boundaries should be light and airy to make the space more welcoming. A row of pleached trees in a raised bed creates an airy screen between you and neighbouring properties, as does a ‘wall’ of tall bamboos. Use screens and plants that act as veils to divide spaces rather than solid walls that can’t be seen through. Fast growing climbers can be used to green up fences and walls. Small trees in large planters or adding a slatted pergola are alternative ways to create seclusion.