Garden designers and landscapers may not be very fond of small spaces, as decorating them can be quite challenging. A small garden can become a magical place if it’s decorated just right. If you have a small outdoor area and you want to make the most of it, here are some tips and tricks that can help you take it to the next level. 

Using Different Garden Elements

There are many different elements that go into designing an outdoor area, including a garden. Two of the main elements that can be used to our advantage are softscaping (plants, shrubs, flowers, etc) and hardscaping (paving, decks, garden edging).

Depth and height can also be used to make a small outdoor area look bigger, and so can texture and colour. Using a great variety of textures and colours in a small yard, garden, or patio, and choosing shrubs and plants that have different sizes and heights can make a big difference. By using these elements right, any tiny garden can become an interesting and aesthetically pleasing space.

Width and depth are two very important elements that must be taken into consideration when designing your space. The best way to make a tiny garden look more spacious is by creating a focal point. The focal point of a garden can be a sculpture, a water feature (a fountain, a pond, etc), garden furniture, or anything that looks nice.

If the focal point is combined with other landscaping elements tastefully, even the simplest of features can be the final touch that makes your small space look special. Start by doing some research. There are endless design images available online which can provide inspiration. 

As most garden designers and landscapers will tell you, a yard that is flat is also rather boring. One of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make when dealing with small spaces is to try to maximise the available space by only installing paving or lawn. Doing this will only emphasise that the area is small. Instead, try adding a relaxing area in your garden, combine it with other softscaping and hardscaping features and personalise your space to your liking.

Having a Small Backyard

In every major city, people living in smaller and smaller suburban blocks. We will often choose to sacrifice a backyard space in order to gain some extra indoor space.

More often than not, these backyard spaces are not larger than a couple of metres, so the best way to maximise the utility of this space is to include it as part of the indoor area by installing wide windows and glass doors. Your interior will feel more spacious, and you will also be able to enjoy your garden even if you are inside.

If you have a little more space to work with, there are many ways in which you can make a tiny garden seem larger than it is. One way to do that is by mixing different garden elements and creating different levels.

Use pavers and surround them with colourful pebbles. These pavers might lead to a timber deck that is elevated on which you can place some eye-catching features. 

If your garden is long and narrow, try transforming it into an intimate and magical space by using the right design elements.

Take advantage of the garden’s length by having a section that is paved. Additionally, you can plant trees and shrubs with lush foliage create the illusion of a Bali garden. Using natural materials like wood and stone will make it feel as if you were walking through a forest. Place a sculpture or garden furniture at the end of the paved path if you want to use the length of the garden in your favour.

In some cases, you might feel that you don’t have enough space to have both outdoor furniture and softscaping elements. Try planting vertically instead of horizontally. If you are not sure what plants would work best for vertically planting, seek advice from a professional gardener.

You can create a vertical garden right next to your fences. Vertical gardens take up very little space and will improve your outdoor area substantially.

Having a Small Front Yard

Mix and match different elements of hardscaping and landscaping in order to make a small front yard seem bigger. You'll minimise the lawn area, which can make a small space look even smaller. 

If you have a small front garden, yard, or outdoor area, just remember that by using different landscaping elements you can create a beautiful space. It is only a matter of mixing and matching the right elements and using your imagination.

Try using a wide variety of colourful elements and plants and placing them at different levels. Keep in mind that if you want your tiny garden to look great all year round, you should keep your plants green and lush and choose flowers such as perennial.

Looking to improve your small garden? Get advice from gardening and landscaping experts at Bricks+Agent. Simply post your job and start speaking with trade professionals today.