If you’ve got a spatially challenged outdoor space you might think you’re limited for what you can achieve. However, there are a tonne of wonderful and creative small garden ideas to transform even the tiniest plot.
Petite spaces may require a little more thought than larger garden ideas, but they come with plenty of welcome advantages. For a start, it forces you to be a little more inventive, which can often result in serious style and beauty. The other big plus is that due to their size, more often than not they’re delightfully low-maintenance.
So it’s time to get creative and start exploring what you could create with whatever space you have available, such as fountains which are an easy way to add ambiance.
Small garden ideas
Whether you’re looking to create an impressive balcony garden, squeeze outdoor furniture into a courtyard or fill a plot with greenery, you’ll find lots of small garden ideas to inspire you.
1. Think vertically
Save precious outdoor square footage – be it lawn or patio – by taking what you can off the ground. If you have a wall or strong fence available, this is the ideal spot to affix a slim shelving unit. Alternatively, DIY it by exploring garden ideas with pallets.
2. Repurpose an old step ladder for plants
This is another way to take pots and planters off the ground. By placing them on the steps of a step ladder you’re freeing up the space below for more greenery. The well worn appearance of an old or no longer used wooden step ladder also adds rustic charm to your garden.
3. Go big with variety
‘Don’t be tempted to plant only small plants as these will only emphasise the space of a small garden,’ says Alix Hollingsworth of Dig Club. ‘Instead plant a range of sizes to create shape and variety.
4. Make the most of a patio
Patios and decks are just begging to be brightened up. Revive a dreary outdoor space by whitewashing brickwork and refreshing weathered wood. Create a cheery festival vibe by adding a stack of cushions and rigs in folksy florals and sunny brights.
5. Create a layered look
Layers don’t just add the illusion of depth when in your hair – they can go a long way in gardens, too. Combine both raised beds and ground levels beds to add height and create a layered look to your planting, implying the presence of much more foliage than there actually is.
6. Shade a dining spot with an awning
There’s no denying that pergolas draped in Wisteria look lovely but in a small garden it may simply not be practical.
‘It’s not a great idea to put pergolas right up against the house as this can cause a lot of unwanted shade in the winter,’ says garden designer designer, Charlotte Rowe.
7. Attract wildlife with flowers and food
Just because a garden is small doesn’t mean it can’t provide a home for nature. Hang nut and seed feeders for birds on tree branches and leave a tray filled with water for them to drink and bathe in.
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