Don’t let small gardens fool you. Whilst their limited space may lend itself to being boring, there are plenty of ways to spruce them up and form stunning outdoor spaces you’d look forward to spending time in! Plus, tiny gardens always have the benefit of lower decorating and maintenance costs.
So, if you have a small space — don’t lose heart! We have a handful of garden ideas sure to turn your backyard into an aesthetic, functional space. If you don't know where to start, book a call with one of our Landscape Design Gurus.
Small Garden Design: Create A Cosy Corner
Credit: luckyplot13
Create a cosy corner by installing an appropriately sized pergola. Though the pergola displayed in the picture may seem big for your space, there are plenty of smaller options that work best for a small garden design. You can place the pergola either in the centre of the space or in a corner. Opting for the latter creates a shaded, more private space.
Place as much seating space as possible in the inner portion, hang a swing chair and incorporate potted plants to merge it with the outdoors. Focus on the decor; use wall art and plenty of cushions to make the space feel more inviting. You can also use string lights under the top canopy to illuminate the space and give it a magical touch.
Plant Upwards
Credit: lulu and isabelle
The horizontal (floor) space is limited in small gardens, so the trick is growing plants vertically. You can use a vertical frame and mount your plants on it. Alternatively, you can allow vining plants to grow up a medium-sized trellis and/or around your garden arbour.
Credit: nkuku
This small garden idea is ideal for folks wishing to grow more plants in a small place. And as you can see, there are plenty of tools and structures that can help you leverage vertical space in your small garden — so it's time to get creative!
Add Diversity With A Water Feature
If you want to bring excitement and make a statement in a small garden, a fantastic idea is adding a water feature.
Instead of a large fountain, opt for something that suits the size of your space. Small gardens often do well with a wall-mounted water feature. But if your space is extra small, small standalone fountain or even a tabletop fountain would look cute, too!
Use Planters As Decor Pieces
Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Planters make a great addition to small garden spaces — they provide an effective space-saving solution whilst allowing you to show off all your leafy buddies!
In line with our earlier principle of planting upwards, you can hang planters from a metal or wooden frame resting against one wall. This keeps the area clutter-free and leverages vertical space whilst adding to the visual interest of the garden.
Alternatively, you can hang planters on other structures in your garden, for example, from the top frame of your pergola. Observe your garden thoroughly and look for spaces you can hang your planters from, to add variety to your garden!
Add Pretty Pebbles
Credit: freshdesignpedia
Small gardens can often get boring with just a small patch of grass. If you want to take yours to the next level, consider using pebbles. These diversify the colour palette of your garden and add a multitude of textures.
Start by laying down pebbles of different colours in patterns. One way to do this is by placing pebbles in curved paths — starting from white to grey to dark brown. You can also grow bushy plants in between or line the outer path with your favourite flowers.
Our Final Thoughts
Gardens are never ‘done’ — they evolve season after season and year after year. And we know that having a small space can discourage you from decorating at all. But with the garden design ideas given in this blog post, we hope you can find inspiration and tips on how to spruce up the tiniest of gardens, making them one of the most loved spaces in your home.
Need some help to make the most of your small garden? Book one of our Landscape Design Gurus for a 30-minute video call. Transforming your home into a space you love shouldn't be a daunting task. With HiiGuru you can save time, avoid costly mistakes and bring your goals to life with experts by your side.