Creating a beautiful garden, no matter how small your outdoor space may be, can bring a great amount of joy and tranquillity to your home. With the right design ideas, even the smallest of gardens can be transformed into the garden of your dreams.
In this blog, we share five small garden design ideas that are perfect for elevating your outdoor space. From maximising your space effectively, to using functional elements, these ideas will help you make the most out of your limited garden space. Let’s dive right in.
1. Maximise your space effectively
The key to maximising a compact garden is to approach the space with a discerning eye. By strategically planning the layout, you can create the appearance of a much larger outdoor space. One way to do this is to divide the garden into distinct areas and utilise things like flower beds or hedges. This not only makes the garden look more intriguing but also tricks the eye into perceiving it has more space than it actually has.
Vertical gardening is another way to maximise your garden space as it allows you to make the most of every inch. Using vertical planters means you can grow a wide range of plants without taking up valuable floor space. As well as this, fences covered in different types of climbing plants can add a touch of natural beauty. Don’t overlook the opportunity to use hanging baskets filled with trailing flowers as these can instantly brighten up bare walls or fences.
2. Use functional elements as part of your small garden design
This idea follows on nicely from maximising your space effectively because utilising functional elements in your small outdoor space is a great way of doing that. It also allows you to keep your garden organised and enjoy your space without lots of clutter around.
So when it comes to garden furniture, you want to opt for furniture that doesn’t overpower the space. Folding chairs and tables are an excellent choice as they can be easily tucked away when not in use, freeing up valuable floor space. Or if your floor space is quite limited, you could have a wall-mounted table design that can be easily stored away when not in use.
Multi-functional furniture with built-in storage, such as benches with compartments underneath allows you to keep your gardening essentials, like blankets and cushions, organised and all in one place without sacrificing space.
3. User cooler colours
Choosing the overall colour scheme of your small garden design can significantly impact how spacious it appears. Opting for a cooler colour palette can make the boundaries feel like they’re much further away, making your garden appear bigger than it is. You want to aim to choose colours such as blue, purple, or green in your small garden design as these colours are great at making your small garden feel larger and airier.
You also want to carry this theme on with your hard landscaping areas too, so if you’re looking to add a paving area, choose a lighter colour, such as pale grey, to make your space feel bigger.
The garden lighting you choose can also compliment your colour scheme, adding to the feeling of a larger garden space. Garden lighting also enables you to put a particular focus on an area of your garden. For example, you could add solar-powered lights along your pathway, or add a string of fairy lights on your fence or hedges to create an inviting ambience.
4. Get the landscaping-planting ratio right
When it comes to landscaping for small gardens, it’s important to strike the right balance between hard landscaping and planting. Ideally, you want to aim for a ratio of around 50% planting and 50% paving or decking. This will help prevent your garden from feeling overcrowded with too many plants.
If you’re unsure as to which plants to choose for your garden, it’s good to have a selection of plants that bloom across different seasons. This ensures your outdoor space is vibrant and colourful all year round.
You also want to opt for evergreens as they can provide year-round structure and colour. From example, you could use small shrubs, such as boxwood or yew, to create formal hedging, or why not opt for topiary if you’re wanting to bring a sense of elegance to your small garden landscaping. For a more contemporary feel, mix your evergreens with other plants such as ferns or hostas, which can also thrive in the shade.
5. Create height in narrow borders
We’ve touched on this a little earlier but incorporating plants with height is one way to elevate your small garden design. Using elements such as obelisks and tall, slender plants draw the eye upward and create a captivating focal point, making your outdoor space feel bigger.
If your small garden can take it, why not consider adding a pergola or arbour to not only introduce height, but to also define different areas within the space. Pergolas and arbours are ideal for supporting climbing plants and are a great way of creating a sense of seclusion, as well as providing shade in the warmer months.
Speak to us about your small garden design ideas
When it comes to small garden design, creativity and strategic planning are key. By utilising clever tactics like vertical gardening and space-saving furniture, you can maximise the space and create visual spaciousness.
So if you’re ready to put your small garden landscaping ideas into action, shop our range of landscaping supplies and products. At JTD Building Supplies, we stock an extensive range of materials including paving, fencing, and decorative products to help bring your small space to life. If you’d like to learn more about our products, or to get a bespoke quote, get in touch with us today.
Small garden design FAQs
How can I make a small garden look bigger?
As we’ve highlighted above, you can trick the eye into thinking your outdoor space is bigger by using lighter colours, vertical gardening, and choosing the right amount of plants for your space. You can also create a focal point in your garden to add a sense of depth and dimension.
What are the best plants for a small garden in the UK?
There are plenty of plants that are perfect for small gardens. You could choose compact plants such as perennials, ferns, and small shrubs, or if you want a small vegetable garden, you could grow salad leaves or fresh herbs for example.
Can I still have a lawn in a small garden?
Depending on the size and shape of your garden, a lawn can make a small garden even smaller. However if you do want a lawn, consider a small, well-maintained area or opt for paving instead. Small gardens don’t need to exclude a lawn, but it’s about being strategic with your space.
How do I incorporate wildlife-friendly elements into my small garden?
You can attract a plethora of garden wildlife by simply adding a bird feeder, by building your own ‘bug hotel’, or creating a log pile to encourage insects and other wildlife into your garden. If you don’t have a large enough space for those, you could plant native plants instead.
Are there any low-maintenance design tips for small gardens?
When designing your small garden, choose low-maintenance materials like gravel or paving instead of decking. You could also opt for plants that require minimal care, such as perennials, evergreen shrubs, or easy-care climbers for example.
