As the saying goes; “good things come in small packages” and there’s an awful lot you can do with a restricted garden space. In fact, small gardens really do lend themselves well to intricate design features that could easily get lost in larger spaces. Having a small garden is a fantastic opportunity to let your imagination run wild and get a bit creative. Here are a few tips to help you maximise the potential of your small garden.
Consider Functionality
How do you make use of your garden? Whether it’s somewhere for you to work on your tan, entertain friends or get your hands dirty, the functionality of your garden can have an important influence over the design that you employ. If you like your garden to look good without too much input, consider using composite decking as a backdrop and decorate with easily managed container plants. If you like to be hands on in the garden, create distinct areas for flower borders and a vegetable patch to make your garden feel bigger.
Keep it Simple
When you’re working with a small space there is inevitably going to be a limit to what you can include in terms of design styles. Take some time to consider your priorities and pick out one or two main features to include in your garden, otherwise you will risk overwhelming the space with too much going on.
Make it Bold
Funnily enough, a great way to make a small space seem larger is to use over-sized furniture and landscaping features. Take care to employ this technique throughout your space, from the swing seat to the planters and the style of your decking, to ensure that it creates a unified style that really can enhance your space.
Plant Wisely
Certain types of plants and trees lend themselves better to confined spaces. The main thing to take into consideration is the potential height and spread of anything you plant, so choose carefully to ensure that your garden isn’t overrun before you know it. As with any garden, it’s best to aim for a range of plants that peak at different times throughout the season so that your garden will retain interest all year round.
The Sky’s the Limit
When floor space is at a premium, make the most of different heights to fit a lot more into your garden. You can create different levels with decking and raised planting areas, or even just organise your flower beds to maximise your potential with a variety of plants reaching different heights. For example, start with taller flowers such as sunflowers, hollyhocks or cosmos next to the fence, then move through Echinacea or lupine in the centre of the bed, and finish with a covering of alyssum, marigolds or yellow anemone. To make sure your mid-level plants don’t get ahead of themselves, pinch them out as they grow to create a lower, bushier shape.
For more garden inspiration check out our design inspiration pages.
