When designing a small garden the rules are very similar to interior design: you’ll probably have high walls and fences to work with so the space can be treated like a room. Don’t try and fit too many ideas and themes into such a compact area. Try and pick a single, simple theme that will tie everything together: the result will look more spacious because of it.
Similarly, don’t feel as though you need to scale everything down to fit more in; a few scattered large objects such as statues, pots and tall shrubs will add interesting focal points and some much needed height. Wall-hanging planters can look stunning but will need to be watered often to prevent them from drying out. Using light colours on walls and fences will make the space look bigger and more airy.
Climbing plants are another great way to draw the eye upwards and to soften the transition of the main garden area with your walls and fences. Great choices include ivy for greenery throughout the year, clematis or for something more unusual, try the evergreen Trachelospermum jasminoides, which can trail across the garden facing side of your house.
Perhaps choose a single sort of decking or patio as your main base with plants added around the edge and/or incorporated within it. Adding steps will help maximize the use of vertical space. Go Wild Landscapes can advise you on the best way to proceed and offer a complete design service which helps you visualize your final garden with a hand coloured drawing.
Raising your beds will turn them into a feature – why not make the frames double as seats to save on space even further?
Garden mirrors are an established method of adding depth to a garden, but to maximize their effect, try and place them at the end of a path to elongate it, or above a wall-leaning water feature to double its size. Ensure you purchase a heavy-duty mirror which is purpose-built for outdoor use.
Those who wish to grow vegetables may be surprised at the amount they can fit into such a small area. However, every gardener should have time and space for growing herbs – try using exciting planters such as old tea tins with holes drilled in the base for drainage. You could also try sprouting herbs from hanging coffee mugs.
If you are extremely short of space you may need to go without a lawn: this will need a mower which in turn will need storage space in a shed! If you are able to get by with a smaller, chest-height garden storage unit with side-opening doors, you may wish to consider using its roof as extra planting space.