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16 small garden design ideas that make the most of every inch
Maximise your outdoor space with these clever ideas
Even the smallest outdoor spaces can have a big impact. With thoughtful design and strategic planting, you can create a garden or balcony that feels like your own personal oasis.
To get the most out of your garden, it's essential to be intentional, says Butter Wakefield, an award-winning landscape designer, who has an online small garden design video course with Create Academy.
"The most important first step to consider when you’re designing a small garden is 'what is the single most important thing you want from your outdoor space?'" Butter tells Country Living.
Think about how you envision using the space: Do you love hosting alfresco gatherings? "If so, a purposeful hardstanding that will accommodate your table and chairs comfortably might be your starting point," she adds.
Passionate about plants? "It's sensible to understand where in the garden the sun is and where it isn't, and plan your planting accordingly," Butter continues.
And if privacy tops your list, focus on designing with hedges, screens or other stylish boundaries.
Whatever your purpose, here are 16 expert tips to help you unlock the potential of your small outdoor space.
16 small garden design ideas
Opt for darker paving
Design elements in a garden should be carefully chosen. The same, of course, applies to larger gardens, but with tighter spaces, there's more focused attention on each feature.
With paving, you'll want to opt for hardy and low-maintenance materials that don't get as dirty – or at least, don't look it.
"The gardens that look after themselves the best are those with darker paving, like a reclaimed York stone," says Butter. "They only look better with age; they don't stain as easily as a lighter limestone, for instance, and they are more trouble-free."
Think about where the sun hits (and where it doesn’t)
Sunny spots are a hot commodity in a small garden. Carefully observe your garden to map out where the sun hits throughout the day, then place your sun lounger accordingly.
And the shadier spots? Don't make the mistake of neglecting them, as shade-loving plants can bring those areas to life.
Flower expert Hayden Salt of Jacksons Nurseries says: "Rather than chucking out the idea [of having plants in those spots] completely, opt for things like geraniums, hostas, tiarella and begonias – they're great choices for shadier spots." These plants also bring rich texture and colour to your space.
Embrace large containers
It may seem counterintuitive, but using large containers for planting can benefit a small garden in many ways.
Not only do they keep surfaces clean if you use saucers to capture excess water, as Butter advises, but they can also double as natural barriers with which you can create 'zones' in your garden (see number 13).
Planting in containers is also a great method of adding structure to your garden. You can supplement larger plants, such as ferns, with shade-loving ones placed under their dense foliage. Mix and match different plants in the same container – just make sure they all need similar amounts of water.
Simplify your colour palette
From a design perspective, it's recommended not to go overboard with your colour palette in a small space (unless an erratic, maximalist wonderland is exactly what you're after).
"Generally, most areas are on view in small gardens, so do consider your use of materials and keep the palette simple with possibly only two to three different variations of finishes. This will create a more harmonious, balanced end result," suggests Butter.
Utilise vertical space
Using vertical space is a golden rule for any small space project. In the garden, wall planters, hanging planters, plant theatres and arches open up the space by "allowing your plants to grow upwards instead of outward. This draws the eye up and makes the area feel more dynamic and spacious," explains Samantha Richards of Gazeboshop.
It will also free up floor space, making the space feel less crowded. Samantha suggests planting pale and therefore pared-back varieties of climbing roses, such as Iceberg, New Dawn and Golden Showers, but also beautiful lavender-hued climbers like wisteria, clematis, and hydrangea.
Soften barriers with plants
Small gardens can often feel boxed in. Plants are a great way of breaking harsh visual barriers and letting the space breathe. Climbers like roses or ivy and large plants with lush, wispy foliage like fern can elegantly screen walls and fences.
Pim Dickson, senior product and content manager at Mr Fothergill's, recommends using evergreen climbers so the effect lasts through winter; for example, ornamental ivy on the shaded side of the garden and fragrant Clematis armandii on the sunny side.
"A trellis across a corner will further reduce the boxy feel of the space," he adds. "Choose a few compact evergreen shrubs to give any flower beds a permanent year-round structure. The garden should have volume and look great in winter, too."
Complement your surroundings
In the same vein, it makes sense to consider the surroundings when approaching your small garden's design to create a harmonious bigger picture.
"Take your cues from the local vernacular, architecture, period of the house and interior design aesthetic. If the interiors are finished in a traditional manner, it makes sense to treat the garden the same, so there is a consistency throughout the inside and the outside," says Butter.
Lay a narrowing path to create the illusion of depth
Playing with dimensions and perspective is essential if you’re looking to make your small garden feel bigger than it is. “An excellent hack to give the illusion of greater distance is to make a path which gets narrower as it moves down the garden," adds Pim.
"A curved path, rounded beds and border edges will also give everything greater length, further maximising that feeling of space." This will be particularly effective in small rectangular gardens.
Find the right spot for tools and utilities
Certain items just belong in a garden but don't necessarily add to the visual aesthetic. To avoid tools, unsightly sheds and hosepipes taking over the space, tuck them out of the direct line of sight.
"Smart storage options can also work; think pretty storage boxes, retractable clothesline or hose reels," says Pim.
Add a water feature
Studies suggest that being near a body of water makes us calmer and happier.
While fountains, bird baths and miniature waterfalls might not quite be big enough to have a huge effect, they can certainly create a soothing atmosphere and a sense of tranquility.
"A water feature in the garden can make your garden seem like a natural retreat," says gardening expert Fiona Jenkins at MyJobQuote.
"The sound of running water can create an extremely relaxing ambience and the appearance of water can provide a lovely calming effect. Water also creates reflections, which can help to give the illusion of more space in the garden." Plus, they attract birds and other wildlife.
Choose the right plants...
Plants are, of course, the stars of the show in any garden, but in a small garden, they can have truly transformative effects. The type of plants you choose and where you position them can make or break a small garden design.
Hayden advocates for plants that bring "architectural interest". He recommends fargesia, a non-invasive bamboo, which brings height and movement, fatsia, and the eye-catching and shade-loving fatsia 'spider's web'.
Colour also matters. “Cool-toned plants like blue and lavender tend to recede in the field of vision, creating the illusion of more space,” shares Chris Bonnett, plant expert and founder of the online garden centre GardeningExpress.
...and location
Pim explains how the position can impact the perceived size of the garden. “A subtle but very effective trick is to use plants with big leaves nearer the house and plants with small leaves further away. This creates an illusion of distance.”
Similarly, plant bold, eye-catching colours nearby and more subtle colours further away, Pim says.
Create zones
Break up the space into distinct zones. Carl Jones of TrexPro, explains: "Clearly defined spaces give a sense of structure and can actually make a small space feel more organised and expansive."
By using borders, paving, planters, or even containers, you can create areas for seating, planting, and storage. "Areas with decking create a clear zone and a steady surface for outdoor dining furniture, whilst pergolas are perfect for defining key areas," says Carl.
Use the magic of mirrors
Garden mirrors offer a simple yet highly effective method for creating the illusion of spaciousness in a small area.
"Mirrors can visually double the size of a space by reflecting light and greenery," says Carl.
Experimenting with a variety of sizes, from small, strategically placed accents to larger statement pieces, can introduce new perspectives and break up the visual monotony of a confined space. Plus, a fun frame can add texture.
Invest in multi-functional furniture
A small space should always be designed with practicality in mind, and using multi-functional garden furniture is one of the easiest ways of achieving that.
"Every piece should serve more than one purpose to save space without compromising on comfort or style," says Carl.
He suggests benches with hidden storage, fold-away tables, and seating that doubles as planters – it's all about smart choices, such as this folding set from Gardenesque
Try mixed paving
"Much of making a garden feel larger is down to distracting the attention and slowing the time it takes to look round,” says Steve Walley, Managing Director of London Stone.
Irregular paving is a great way of doing just that. Steve says that joint lines can be an afterthought, often to the detriment of a small space.
He recommends using slabs in varying sizes to break up the space with irregular joint lines. This means "there are no long straight lines that carry the gaze straight to the nearby fence," Steve explains. "And think about wider joints – these frame the different slab shapes and make them a feature to catch the attention."
Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
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