Small garden ideas
‘Whilst they certainly pose some challenges, small garden ideas are usually much easier to maintain, plus they’re generally more budget friendly too,’ notes Chris Bonnet, Founder of Gardening Express. ‘Even if you’ve only got a tiny terrace or balcony to work with, you can still enjoy your outdoor space with the help of careful planning.’
‘Containers, hanging baskets and window boxes will all come in handy if you want to plant in the limited space you have.’
‘When space is at a premium, designing and decorating your garden can feel like an impossible task, but small gardens have huge potential,’ agrees Francesca Hadland, Styling Expert at outdoor furniture company Bridgman.
1. Turn to trailing plants
Make use of a garden fence to add colour and greenery. Climbing plants and trellises are a great solution for small gardens, as they lift flowers and foliage up off the ground.
‘Climbing plants are a great way to add charm and dimension without sacrificing a lot of space,’ notes Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies. ‘Varieties such as Clematis montana and Sweet peas work well with most fences and walls and will elevate your garden with their eye catching flowers and fragrance.’
2. Opt for flexible furniture
Finding the best garden furniture for your outdoor space is worth spending some time on, especially if space is at a premium.
‘Steer clear of cluttering up a petite patio area with furniture that sits unused most of the year,’ advises Francesca from Bridgman. ‘Think smart with stylish and space-saving flexible furniture.’
‘Chairs, bar stools and even loungers that can be stacked on top of each other and stored away when not in use are perfect small garden ideas. Pair with a foldable table for a set you can effortlessly move to one side whenever you choose.’
3. Make your fencing work harder
Take inspiration from the elements of a living wall, by using vertical wall space for thoughtful planting. This allows even the smallest of garden spaces to flourish and is particularly useful if you are looking for decorative grassless garden ideas.
The simple yet savvy addition of horizontal fence panels work as small garden ideas to turn the side of the shed, a stretch of bare fence or the side of a balcony into a decorative living wall. Any of these small outdoor spaces can be transformed into a vertical garden, accommodating smaller plant pots and baskets.
‘How gardens are used is changing and now we are seeing more versatile uses of space, with sections dedicated to growing, entertaining and recreation,’ says Jenny Davis from garden timber company Forest Garden.
‘Our slatted wall planters, £99.99 each, Forest Garden, are a fabulous accessory. Not only do they allow spaces to be partitioned but in smaller gardens they are great for creating a living plant wall, bringing greenery to exterior walls.’
‘In 2023 I expect we are going to see people get really creative making use of every inch of their garden.’
4. Captivate with containers
You might not have space for flowers beds or a lawn, but for one easy garden idea is to bring plants and small trees into your garden through pots, planters and containers.
‘If you don’t have the space for beds and borders, you can still achieve an impactful display with containers,’ advises Marcus from Dobbies.
‘Early season Primroses, Violas and Pansies work well in pots for beautiful spring colour, and you can cluster these together for maximum effect. Hanging baskets and window boxes are another great space saver and can be filled with seasonal plants for a cheerful display.’
5. Turn a tree stump into a table
If your space is too wee for a traditional garden table and chairs set up, try incorporating a small side table as a place to rest your alfresco cuppa (or even better, sundowner).
If you’re looking to make space by cutting down a tree or too, recycle the wood by sawing up lengths of the trunk, stripping it of bark and attaching castors to the base. Alternatively, check your local neighbourhood portals or the local paper for anyone getting rid of tree stumps. Make sure you use locking castors for safety, so the table doesn’t run away from you.
To give these small garden ideas a twist, paint the top of the table with outdoor paint to add a touch of colour to the table surface.
6. 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 making use of garden pallet ideas.
You can use these levels to display potted plants, keep smaller garden accessories, and to double up as somewhere to set your drink or hold your hat.
‘When it comes to designing a small garden, making the most of the space you have is essential so vertical planting options are a great solution,’ adds Marcus from Dobbie. ‘Not only will these free up room, they’ll create an instant impact and can be used to grow everything, from flowering plants and perennials, to herbs and leafy greens.’
7. Repurpose an old step ladder to display 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.
This planting solution creates extra space to showcase potted plants and garden accessories. No matter how small your space, you can guarantee you’ll be using it as efficiently as possible.
8. 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 from Dig Club. ‘Instead plant a range of sizes to create shape and variety.’
‘When planting shrubs, opt for larger specimens but don’t go for very dense varieties as these will look like they take up more space than they do. If you want a tree, choose multi-stem ones which appear lighter, as you can see through the stems to the rest of the garden.’
9. Create a layered look
Layers don’t just add the illusion of depth when in your hair – they can go a long way in terms of small garden ideas, 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.
Additionally, slightly raising a path or walkway will make the ground level planting seem taller, too. It’s really beneficial to work out how to plan a small garden in advance of starting.
10. 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 Charlotte Rowe.
If you’re going to want shade during alfresco summer lunches without limiting light in your home over the winter months, an adjustable awning is a great space-saving patio cover idea.
11. Attract wildlife with flowers
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.
Leave gaps in fences to create a hedgehog highway and fill your garden with colourful flowers to attract butterflies and other pollinators. It will not only make your garden a calming space, it will delight little ones when they spot visiting wildlife too.
12. Plant according to sun and shade
Plants need sunshine but there are plenty that don’t like direct sun all day and prefer shady spots. So plant according to your garden’s situation, as well as its soil.
‘Shady and north facing gardens can still look fabulous,’ says Alix from Dig Club. ‘If your small garden doesn’t get much sun, don’t worry, you can still fill it with wonderful plants that can bring character and personality to the space.
‘“Jungle” or “Forest” style plants such as Ferns, Dwarf Bamboo and impactful shrubs like Fatsia japonica with their large leaves can help fill the space and create a lush, green haven. Colour can still be delivered through Geraniums such as ‘Rozanne’, Alliums and Irises which provide pops of confident colour amongst the greenery.’
13. Turn it into a tropical oasis
Outdoor living is wonderful but no-one wants a garden filled with furniture and devoid of life. When working with small garden ideas make sure to incorporate plenty of pockets of foliage around paths or patios with hedges, shrubs and trees.
If your small garden doesn’t get much frost, grow species that thrive in warm weather such as grasses, palms and tree ferns (which like partial sun and shade). Tropical plants like these will give your garden a holiday feeling all summer long.
These living elements will make your garden more enjoyable for you and your family too. ‘Trees bring several other benefits to your garden, such as the calming sound of leaves rustling in the wind and lowering the volume of artificial noise in your garden,’ says Cass Heaphy at Paving Direct.
14. Work in an arbour
Enjoy your garden from a new angle with an arbour. These sheltered areas take up less space than a pergola would yet provide an extra shaded seating area, making them a perfect example of small garden ideas.
Placing an arbour at the end of your garden in a sunny spot away from the dining area enables you to make the most of the space at different times of the day. It could be a quiet retreat to enjoy a morning coffee before the day revs up, or somewhere to relax with a sun downer and take a breath after work.
15. Add interest with plenty of pots and planters
Having plants in pots and planters means you can move them around – and into a conservatory, greenhouse or indoors to protect them when a frost is due.
‘Interesting planters and pots of various heights mean they are not only a space saver but can be used to create a sense of enclosure when placed around a seating area, or as focal points around the garden,’ says garden designer Alix from Dig Club.
‘The style of planter is important too – ensure it’s in keeping with the overall style of the garden and even the interior of the house to create a sense of continuity. Don’t feel you have to stick to just one plant per pot.’
‘For larger pots, consider a small tree like Olive or Bay, and underplant with trailing plants such as Vinca minor or Helianthemum ‘The Bride’ which tumble over the edges of pots and soften the edges.’
16. Use walls and fences for climbers
In a small space don’t forget to use walls and fences for greenery. Climbing plants provide shade and create a lovely sense of enclosure. They’re good at absorbing noise and pollution too.
‘One of the best small garden ideas is to plant vertically’ advises Alix from Dig Club. ‘This could be with a living wall (although these can require a bit of maintenance), or with planters that are slightly oversized.
‘This also means you can play with the planting combinations within them and create interest and height with textures, colours and form. Using climbers such as the evergreen Star Jasmine that can add interest and greenery, and don’t take up too much space.’
17. Take the indoors out
Make a small garden feel bigger by making it feel like a continuation of your indoor space with outdoor living room ideas. Making the most of the space makes it more valuable, no matter how small. Dress your small garden space with a furniture set and add decorative outdoor fairy light ideas to ensure it’s a space you want to spend more time.
‘Do not let attention to detail go amiss, the same principles apply externally as they do an interior project,’ says Emmie Brookman, Creative Director of homeware brand Silver Mushroom. ‘Your outdoor space should be an extension of your home, so make it comfortable and accessorise the same way you would indoors. Introduce cushions, throws, candles and bowls, after all you can always take them back inside if the weather turns.’
Similarly, a plethora of potted plants adds foliage, but as pots are moveable you get a sense of freedom to change things around from time to time.
18. Create a mini herb garden
Herb gardens don’t have to only exist on your windowsills or in a large dedicated vegetable patch. Upcycle a side or coffee table to create a homemade and bijou planting area, perfect for herbs.
As well as saving you space beneath for extra planting or storage, by having the plants higher, you’ll save your back a lot of strain that you might get from bending over veg beds.
‘As well as herbs, salad leaves and lettuce are also incredibly easy vegetables to grow,’ says Cass from Paving Direct. ‘Some plants come through within four weeks. Find seeds in your local shop and sow in regular intervals for a full salad bowl throughout summer.’
19. Grow your own veg in containers
You may think this isn’t possible to grow your own veg in a small garden, particularly if you want to use it to socialise. But not all crops require a large dedicated patch.
‘Tomatoes are some of the easiest vegetables to grow in containers,’ says Cass from Paving Direct. ‘As long as you have a location that receives at least five to six hours of sunlight per day, you can learn how to grow tomatoes in pots with ease. There’s a large variety of tomato species out there but if you are limited for space choose smaller types such as cherry tomatoes.’
‘Runner beans, sugar snap peas, broad beans, French beans can also be grown in a small spot, as long as they’re basking in the sun all day. All you need is a pot that is at least one foot deep, and if you have a climbing variety, a trellis-like structure for the vines to grow on. Make sure to sow seeds regularly so you get a succession of crops over the summer.’
20. Choose slimline options
Slot in a slimline plant stand in smaller outdoor spaces. Cover bare areas of fence or brickwork with plants and trailing greenery and then look vertically for extra planting. Add a ladder stand to add height to displays – it’s one of the easiest budget garden ideas and easy to move if you fancy a change.
21. Add a gallery wall
In the same way you would hang pictures indoors, play with garden wall decor by creating a display of frames and wall hung planters. Utilise junk shop finds by hanging old wooden frames and up-cycle old loaf tins as planters. Just drill holes in the base for drainage and in the side for hooking onto the wall.
Hang above a pretty garden bench, as you would a sofa indoors and finish off with some cushions and a throw.
22. Create a mini outdoor kitchen
Extend your kitchen capacity into the garden. Potting tables can provide a slim, compact surface along one side of a patio for outside food prep, choosing units with galvanised or zinc topped surfaces will make wipe-down easier and protects wooden surfaces from weather damage, too.
Hang a bamboo pole above your units from cup hooks screwed into the wall or fence and use S-hooks to hang kitchen utensils along its length.
23. Double your space
When working out how to make a small garden look bigger, one foolproof idea is to use garden mirrors. Create your own using an old gate or some painted trellis mounted onto a piece of mirrored board.
This is not only an inexpensive alternative to an outdoor mirror it also prevents any danger through mirror breakage. Set a table close by so that you can enjoy a view of the garden wherever you are seated.
Top tip: using a grid style mirror means that birds are less likely to fly into it.
24. Create a kids corner
