Top 5 Small Garden Ideas To Maximise Your Space
Small gardens face a lot of challenges, which can impact your garden design and overall enjoyment of the space. Feeling as though you do not have space for creativity can make your landscape seem uninspiring and cause it to be misused.
This is a common issue for many homeowners across the region, especially those in urban areas, who frequently deal with small, cramped gardens. Despite the fact that it is a common issue, it does not have to be an enduring one, as small gardens can be designed well to maximise space and enjoyment.
In this post, SilvaTree is sharing some of the best solutions for small garden design to help you maximise your space, make it seem bigger and have room for creativity.
1) Go Vertical With Plants And Structures
Vertical structures and planting are a great way to maximise small gardens, as it draws the eyes upwards. This can give the illusion of more space, which prevents the garden from feeling cramped or overwhelmed. Vertical planting and structures also allow you to add colour, greenery and texture to the landscape without wasting valuable ground space.
For example, climbing plants such as jasmine, clematis and ivy can be trained to grow up fences, retaining walls or along structures such as pergolas. These will offer seasonal blooms and greenery to your garden without the need for flower beds, containers or pots.
To ensure you have enough room for vertical plants like this and space for them to spread across the garden, install trellises or lattices to the fence, side of your home or existing garden structure.
Alternatively, you can use wall-mounted pots and shelves as planting areas in your small garden. From DIY options such as wooden palettes and upcycled ladders, to professionally installed shelving units, you can create plenty of vertical spaces for flowers and plants to save ground space in your small garden design.
2) Add Depth With Reflective Surfaces
Reflective surfaces, such as garden mirrors or water features, are a unique way to maximise your small garden. The way these surfaces reflect light, causing the garden to appear brighter, gives the illusion of more space. Mirrors are a common lighting trick for small or cramped spaces, and can be applied to your garden in various ways.
Outdoor mirrors are a popular trend and widely available, allowing you to find the best model for your unique garden design. Whether you invest in one large mirror or several smaller frames, with other forms of garden art, to create a display wall, the main concern is reflective light.
If you are choosing outdoor mirrors, make sure these are kept away from children’s play areas and secured to fences or walls properly. It is a good idea to invest in specific outdoor mirrors, as opposed to upcycling indoor mirrors, because garden models are typically made from shatterproof glass and plastic, making them safer.
Alternatively, you can invest in a water feature such as a pond, water bowl or even a bird bath to offer the same kind of reflective lighting effect. Water features can be an elegant touch to the garden and a great way to attract wildlife to your space, while also giving the illusion of more space by reflecting light in small gardens.
3) Define Spaces With Raised Planters And Containers
It is easy for your small garden to feel overwhelmed when it is an open structure. Garden zoning is a great way to keep your landscape organised and well-designed, and this can also apply to small gardens with careful planning.
Raised planters and containers can be used to separate your garden into zones, making it more cohesive and giving the illusion of more space. These are a great solution for small gardens because they are multi-functional – not only will raised planters separate your garden, but allow you to plant a variety of grasses, shrubs and flowers without taking up too much room.
Within your planters, you can further separate the zones of your small garden with tall shrubs and grasses. Like vertical planting, this will draw the eyes upwards to make the space appear bigger, while also allowing you to create private zones in the garden.
Frame seating or dining areas with raised planters and seclude the seating spaces from the rest of the garden for a cosy, intimate setting.
4) Eye-Level Planting And Features
As we have mentioned, vertical and tall features are one of the best solutions for small gardens because they draw the eyes upwards. Keeping the eyes away from the ground covers the small space available, and gives the illusion that your garden is bigger than it is.
Hanging baskets and overhead planting are a great way to add colour and interest at eye level, keeping the attention on the higher levels of your garden design. Hanging baskets, fitted to structures or fences, can be filled with bright flowers and trailing plants for seasonal appeal.
Likewise, small pergolas and arches can be installed over pathways, patios or other surfaces for additional height. Climbing plants or colourful lights can be installed up these for more colour, and to ensure they get the right kind of attention.
The aim of these small garden solutions is to keep the attention high to give the illusion of height and avoid overcrowding the limited ground space available.
5) Flexible Decor And Easy Storage Solutions
Being limited on space does not mean your small garden has to be boring, but it does mean you need to carefully consider each item of decor and furniture you bring into the space.
Staples of outdoor living spaces include dining tables, comfortable seating and parasols, all of which can take up a lot of room in your garden. However, by choosing foldable and easily stored options, you have the flexibility to adorn your garden based on the occasion or day. With folding chairs, for example, you can have comfortable seating to accommodate guests on a hot summer’s day, but do not have to commit to their placement as they can be easily moved and stored away after use.
It is recommended to have sturdy storage in small gardens, even if this means sacrificing some space. A shed may not necessarily be the best option if you are concerned about the layout of your small garden, but bench storage, which can act as both seating and storage boxes, is a great alternative.
With the right storage, you can easily adorn your small garden however you see fit and make changes to the layout with ease.
Conclusion
A small garden may seem challenging to design and organise, but it does not have to be. With the right plants, furniture, and decor items, you can maximise your small landscape and create a garden that the whole family will enjoy. With smart storage solutions and tall structures, you can create the illusion of more space so your garden has plenty of room for entertaining or relaxing.
If you are struggling to imagine a better layout for your small garden, consider working with professional landscapers like SilvaTree. We are expert garden designers who have worked with all kinds of gardens in the past, ensuring we can come up with a suitable solution for even the smallest landscapes.
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