Having a small outdoor area can feel limiting for keen gardeners, especially when you’re just getting started. If you’ve moved into a home with a compact garden, it’s easy to feel discouraged. However, a smaller space doesn’t mean you have to compromise on quality.
With the right approach, even the cosiest garden can be beautifully designed. These space-savvy ideas don’t require a big budget, and a smaller area can often spark creativity and inspire clever, practical solutions.
Plant in pots
Planting a garden in pots is nothing new. For years, people with city balconies have used this method to create their own peaceful green spaces, and it works just as well in larger gardens, too.
To make a potted garden visually appealing, mix different pot shapes, sizes, and colours. If you’re feeling creative, try decorating your own pots using plain clay ones from garden centres. Once finished, place them around the garden at varying heights to add depth and interest to the space.
Downscale furniture
Overbearing furniture is a momentous mistake in small gardens. Large luxurious wicker furniture is not always practical for restricted spaces, and it is a great idea to look at bistro style outdoor seating, where you can enjoy all the perks of outdoor living without taking up too much room.
Even better, opt for all-weather furniture, which means you won’t have the hassle of finding storage in the winter months.
Elevate garden beds
Create further levels to your garden by erecting an elevated herb garden bed (which can also be used for growing fruit and vegetables).
Not only will this look great, but it also allows you to have your very own vegetable patch in a limited space. You can buy a ready-made elevated garden or build one yourself with a wooden box and stilts.
The great part of an elevated herb garden bed is that you can stagger one on top of the other (allowing room for sunlight), so you can grow an array of produce right on your doorstep!
Hang baskets
Hanging baskets are an often underrated way of adding some colour and depth to any garden. Not only are they easy to maintain, but if you’re feeling super lazy – you can buy them already made. They look particularly striking hung either side of a doorway.
Create a living wall
A living wall is a glorious idea for those with even the tiniest of outdoor spaces, and they are not as complicated as they look. They are essentially created by the process of constructing a wall made entirely of your favourite flowers, fruits and plants.
Some great plants that work well for this include: Pyracantha, Strawberries, Bergenia and Fuchsia. Living walls are particularly popular for those with balconies or communal gardens as a way of creating a friendly floral barrier.
Plant a vertical garden
They say if you can’t build out, build up. That is certainly the principle behind planting a vertical garden. This gardening trend has sprouted over recent years, with many gardeners reaping the benefits of trying out a vertical garden. There are no set rules when it comes to creating a vertical garden, so you can go as little or big as you like.
Homemade vertical gardens are often made using innovative ideas such as hanging pots, using gutter sections, pallets and even bottles. If you’re a little pressed for ideas, then you can buy vertical garden pots from your local gardening centre that feature various sections for your plants.
Add colour
It’s amazing how much difference colour makes to a garden, no matter how small it may be. There is no shortage of great plants and flowers that you can choose from to add colour to your garden, and since you’re working with a smaller space, they’ll stand out that much more.
If you don’t have a flowerbed to work with, then you can use plants in containers or hanging baskets instead.
Make your garden attractive to wildlife
Attracting wildlife to your garden is a great way to make it more interesting and is very easy to accomplish, even with a smaller garden. Bird feeders are very inexpensive, and you can fill them with different types of food depending on the types of birds you want to attract. You can also plant flowers to help attract bees and other insects to your garden.
Get scented flowers
Having a smaller garden can work to your advantage in a lot of ways. One of them is being able to create a space that smells great. There are many flowers you can get that smell great, and because of the smaller space, you’re more likely to be able to appreciate them.
Potted herbs are also a great way to add fragrance to your garden, as well as having a practical use.
Consider an arbour
Arbours are often thought to be something you only see in large elaborate gardens, but you can get some great simple arbours now that are very reasonably priced and suitable for gardens where there’s limited space.
Most arbours look great whether you choose to add climbing plants or as they are. You can also get them in a range of styles, so whether you want one that’s modern and quirky, or prefer something more traditional looking, you won’t have a problem finding the perfect match for your garden.
You can even get arbour benches, allowing you to add extra seating to your garden while also beautifying it.
Make use of mirrors
An obvious but very effective way to make your garden seem more spacious is by hanging a mirror or several mirrors. Using mirrors will not only help to make your garden area feel bigger, but it’s a great opportunity to get creative and arrange them in a unique way.
Use succulents
Succulents are great for a small garden. They don’t have the same soil and water requirements as a lot of other plants, and because of this, you can place them in parts of your garden where other plants wouldn’t survive, such as in small nooks and crevices. You can also get some great terrariums that contain a range of succulents.
Get shade-loving plants
A lot of smaller gardens are close to other houses and don’t get much, if any, direct sunlight. This being the case, it’s a good idea to choose some plants that do well in partial or full shade. Foxglove, primrose and coral bells would all make good choices.
Get Professional Advice
If you still feel you need help, then you can always consult a garden designer who will help you turn your visions into reality.
So don’t be disheartened if you find your otherwise perfect house has a compact garden. There are plenty of ways to use the space. Why not try out a few of these tips and watch your garden come to life?
Post written in partnership with horticulture.co.uk – where you can get more ideas for small gardens.
