Don’t let a small garden limit its potential. With clever small garden design choices and smart utilisation of space, your compact garden can feel larger, more interesting, and incredibly inviting. Here are some key ideas to help you transform your small outdoor space:
Double Use: Make Use of Multi-Purpose Structures
Garden buildings and structures that serve multiple purposes are invaluable in a small garden. Think beyond just a shed or bench. Consider structures that have multiple uses.
For example, our EvilAmy Log Cabin provides a flexible space for hobbies or relaxation. It also includes side storage. You might also consider a Jasmine Pergola with a seat. It is great for resting and relaxing in the garden. It also helps support your plants and allows you to grow upwards.
Grow Up: Use Vertical Space
Building upwards with vertical gardens, wall-mounted planters, or trellises for climbing plants is an incredibly effective way to maximise your planting potential without encroaching on valuable ground space. These vertical elements also draw the eye upwards, creating a sense of height and depth. It also gives you the chance to showcase different elements in your space by not overcrowding your ground space.
Reflect and Expand: The Magic of Garden Mirrors
Strategically placed garden mirrors can work wonders in a small garden. They create the illusion of extra space, giving depth to your space, and are an effective way to duplicate features of your garden you particularly like, making the space feel more expansive and visually richer. Position them to reflect greenery or interesting focal points for the best effect.
Clarity is Key: Keep it Organised
A cluttered garden, no matter the size, will always feel smaller. You can significantly increase your available space by simply keeping it tidy. Consider using a shed, secure garden storage boxes, or integrated storage within seating to keep tools, cushions, and other items neatly out of sight. A well-organised garden feels more manageable and more pleasant to be in.
Divide and Conquer: Create Sections
It might seem counterintuitive, but creating distinct sections within your garden can help it feel bigger. Dividing the space visually helps to break up the area, preventing the eye from taking in the entire space at a single glance. This avoids monotony and adds visual interest, encouraging exploration and making the garden seem larger than its physical boundaries.
Creating sections can also help draw your interest to different areas of your garden, highlighting different planting schemes or features. It also allows your space to serve more than one purpose if you are smart about dividing your garden. We have found that structures, such as gazebos and pergolas, are great for creating dedicated sections. For example, an alfresco dining or BBQ section is extremely popular amongst our customers.
Define Your Vibe: Pick Your Aesthetic
Understanding the feel you want for your garden is crucial, regardless of size. Figuring out what style you like and what you want out of your garden can help you enjoy your space, no matter the size.
For example, a minimalistic style can facilitate reducing the elements in your garden, giving you more open space that seems bigger. This might involve clean lines, a limited plant palette, and uncluttered areas.
Alternatively, you could lean into having a garden on the smaller side by going for a more cosy aesthetic. This could involve lush planting, comfortable seating nestled in a corner, and soft lighting to create an intimate and inviting atmosphere.
A Feast for the Senses: Engage Other Senses
Don’t forget to engage more than just sight in your garden. Engaging other senses can create a richer experience and help distract from any size constraints. For example:
- Add fragrant plants like sweet peas or jasmine. They will make your garden smell great and look good as well.
- Plant herb or start a vegetable patch as this will not only encourage you to engage your sense of taste but can also help you save on your grocery shop.
- Choose plants with interesting textures. A good example of this would be lamb’s ear which is like its name suggests soft and fuzzy.
- Include a small water feature for the calming sound of trickling water. You can also add wind chimes.
Adding elements to engage different senses can help create a calming environment where you can connect with nature on multiple levels, making your garden a truly immersive retreat.
By implementing these small garden ideas, you can transform your space into a thriving, beautiful, and seemingly more spacious outdoor haven that you’ll love spending time in. Also, these ideas are complementary, so they can make each other more effective. Make even a small space feel big!
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