So, you have a garden that’s more pocket-sized than parkland? No problem. It isn’t as tricky as you might think to transform that cosy nook into a lush, green retreat.
It’s not as much about size. It involves making smart, stylish choices that make your small space feel like a secret garden.
Here are some tips and pointers on how to make your smaller space look bigger, plus some modern garden design ideas you’ll love.
How to Make a Small Garden Look Nice?
Think big in terms of design. Choose plants that punch above their weight in visual impact without crowding your precious patches. Get some clever climbers and vibrant verticals that draw the eye upward. This makes your garden feel grander than its actual footprint.
How Do You Arrange Plants in A Small Garden?
When you’re plotting the plant placement in your petite paradise, think layers and levels. Go for a mix of heights, textures, and types to make the most of your small space so it looks interesting. Every layer adds something special.
What Are the Three Golden Rules of Garden Design?
Remember these three golden rules for a garden that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the soul:
- Balance your blooms
- Contrast your colours3. Focus your features
- Focus your features
Stick to these, and even the smallest space can have the vibe of Versailles – on a good day!
We know a thing or three about garden design in London and beyond. From huge residential properties to gorgeous courtyard gardens and even listed properties, we can handle it all, no matter what type, size or how difficult your project is.
What Colours Make a Small Garden Look Bigger?
Light and bright is your best bet for painting your garden larger-than-life. Plump for pastels, like lavenders, soft blues, and gentle greens. They trick the eye into perceiving more depth, pushing boundaries outward. It’s a visual nudge that says, “There’s more room out here.”
For more design ideas, take a peep at our gallery – you’ll love what you see. Or, check out some of the projects we’ve worked on (more than 400, to be exact). From small garden designs to family-friendly styles and more traditional creations, there’s nothing we haven’t covered.
11 Design Ideas for Smaller Gardens
Small garden? No problem. Here are 11 brilliant ideas to turn your cosy corner into a gorgeous sanctuary that feels bigger and brighter.
1. Plump for Cooler Colours
Chill out with hues of sky blue, soft lilac, and seafoam green. These cool tones pull the eye outward. The result? Your garden feels as vast as the horizon. It looks spacious and you’ll feel it, too. Add these colours to flowers, furniture, or decor to create an illusion of more space.
2. Add Height with Vertical Planting
Who says you need wide spaces to go big? Scale up with vertical planting. Tall, slim plants like foxgloves or delphiniums draw the eye upward, creating a sense of depth that makes narrow borders seem more expansive than they really are. Vertical elements can drastically alter the perception of your garden’s size.
3. Add Smart Seating for Storage
Double-duty furniture is your garden’s godsend. Opt for benches that open up to store garden tools or cushions. You want every square inch to count, turning seating into smart solutions that save space without sacrificing style. Terrific for stashing away gardening bits and bobs, these clever pieces keep your small garden tidy.
4. Go for Perennials That Last All Year
Pick plants that don’t pop off after a fortnight. Choose perennials that last across multiple seasons. With stars like hardy geraniums and sedums, your garden stays colourful and lively from spring through frost. You get more bloom for your buck.
5. Go Vertical with Your Greenery
Why go horizontal when you can go vertical? Bedeck your garden walls or fences with hanging planters brimming with cascading blooms or herbs. Your garden gets a green facelift, plus, you give it layers and depth while saving precious floor space.
6. Create Cosy Corners with Partitions
Break up your garden space with smart, stylish partitions, like trellises with climbing roses or a row of tall grasses. This adds intrigue and mystery. Even better, it also segments your petite paradise into functional areas, so the whole space feels larger and more energetic.
7. Brighten with Light Colours
Lighten up. Go for pale pavers and gravel to reflect light and make your garden look bigger. Your patch will look instantly spacious. Not only that, it brightens up shady corners fast.
8. Curb Your Plant Selection
Keep it simple, keep it stylish. Picking a limited plant palette means you get a cohesive look. The plants feel orderly, not untidy. Repeat a few choice plants throughout your space for continuity that makes the garden look larger.
9. Bulk Up Your Borders
Why settle for skimpy when you can go sumptuous? Beef up your borders. There’ll be more room to play and more wow factor. Pack them with perennials to turn your petite plot into a botanical bonanza.
10. Turn the Roof Green
Pop a green roof on your garden’s shed or pergola. Your outdoor creds will skyrocket. It’s sustainable, stylish, and sure to get the neighbours’ compliments. And above, it’s a clever way to sneak in extra plants without sacrificing square footage.
11. Grow Scented Plants
Add another layer to your beloved patch – pop in a few fragrant plants. Grow them up a path. Put them alongside a bench.
In a smaller space, you’ll smell the aroma a whole lot more, particularly when you plant them together with a few other scented plants. Climbers like Trachelospermum jasminoides, nicotiana for evening scents or lavender for containers work especially well.
Final Thoughts
Who says small can’t be stunning? Have the right tricks up your sleeve, like playing with perspective, choosing colour wisely, and going vertical, and your little garden can punch way above its weight class.
You’ll quickly have a leafy retreat just steps from your back door. One where every inch is used. Every plant will be a star player. Every nook will become your new favourite nook.
Roll up your sleeves – it’s time to turn that tiny garden into a mighty oasis now. Give us a shout to make your small garden design come true.