Try these achievable tricks to make your small garden appear bigger and more interesting – and transform it into an oasis of green living
Germinate DesignLots of books will insist you can’t fit a lawn into a small garden. While you probably don’t want to have to store a lawn mower when space is tight, you can get a lush, green carpet by planting a ground-cover plant, such as this vinca. It might not stand very heavy wear, but that’s why the owner has placed some simple stepping stones through the plants to make it an easy walk down to the dining area.
Don’t throw your old galvanised water tanks out of the attic – they make great planters and water features in small gardens, adding depth and interest, as you can see in this plot attached to a Victorian house.
You can often pick these old tanks up at very low prices online, too, and we’ve even seen them in skips, so keep your eyes peeled for any containers that might just make the perfect planter (though remember to ask permission from the skip owner before removing anything).
And while we’re here, check out the smart and easy-to-build timber planter on the left.
Fisher Tomlin & BowyerSlate walls become seats in this tiny woodland garden we made in Wales. By combining the steps with the walls, and making the walls double as seats, we multiplied the possible uses of the garden space.
Using retaining walls is always a great way of creating seating and you end up sitting right next to the plants, taking in the fragrance. Stone walls can be a little cold, but it’s easy to take some cushions out with you for a softer seat.
Before you dismiss roof gardens as difficult to design, take a look at this simple, L-shaped bench, which is deep enough to act as a lounger for summer lazing. It also has space underneath that could be used for storage.
The simplicity of the seat and having just two big planters with great statement palms in them make this an immensely usable space with no frills but bags of style.
Silva LandscapesEven if you only have a tiny corner of outside space by your back door, you can make a great garden. Here, the house and wall are visually connected by the coat of off-white paint, which will keep the backdrop bright without it looking grubby. The small café table and the terracotta and pale stone planters filled with lots of tumbling plants all add to the atmosphere.
This is easily achievable on a very tight budget and you could even source the plants from cuttings from a friend’s garden.
You might have a small garden, but consider whether you could squeeze in a tiny greenhouse to extend your growing season. If you’re designing a garden from scratch, make sure you build in storage, raised beds and big items like this from the first day and you’ll be able to maximise the benefits.
The stone seat in the foreground could easily be made by stacking old York stone slabs, and it would provide welcome relief after you’d spent the afternoon potting up tomato plants.
Beertje VonkWe love this combination of a small covered seating area with storage. The right-hand entrance into the seating is flanked by two large topiary pyramids to create a cosy, all-weather space. Add some blankets, lights and cushions, and you’ll be able to spend all year outside!
Even better, combine the space with some storage, reached through an easy double door, so you can get to what you need quickly.
When space is at a premium, you might not want to lose it to lots of planters, so why not grow your plants on the walls instead? Over the past decade, we’ve seen lots of new techniques for green walls and many are easy to install on your own.
Remember that you always have to keep an eye on watering, unless you can afford to go with a system with in-built irrigation. And choose plants that will provide year-round interest, particularly when creating something that will be such an obvious statement from inside as well as out, as with this modern extension.
Germinate DesignWe like this idea for the retaining wall at the end of the garden. When space is tight, you can’t always fit in a water feature or sculpture. The owners of this garden have instead made a feature of the rear wall with some easy-to-install mosaic tiles, which bring movement and colour to the plain expanse. The furniture picks up on the styling with those curvy forms.
It’s a well-proven technique to take the floor level inside straight out into the garden to create the sense of one big space. And with modern, bifold doors, it’s easy to open right up. Nowadays, you can also get permeable paving options that remove the need for intrusive drainage channels, so that sleek, paved look runs right through.
Remember though that, outside, the paving will change its patina quickly and porcelain tiles might be a better option if you want to keep inside and outside colours identical.
Adelina Iliev PhotographySometimes, lots of planters and furniture – and certainly lots of plants – is the way to go. In this small garden with a level change halfway down, the owner has used every space for plants, including that beautiful brick wall. With the addition of the stylish vintage furniture, it all comes together to make a statement with a 1950s vibe.
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Look carefully at those simple timber benches made from decking boards and you’ll see that they’re actually on wheels. This is a great way of maintaining flexibility in your small garden, as you can move the seating around, depending on whether it’s required for lounging or more formal entertaining. You can get these sorts of castors from your local DIY store.
Add the jungle-like foliage of the planting and you wouldn’t know you’re in a city garden.