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There are many more ideas for small gardens than you might think. Of course we all love a large and spacious garden, but very few of us have that opportunity. However, we can do much more than we think in a small garden. Even if you don’t own land, you could still have a small garden on your balcony or terrace. In truth, no matter how narrow it is, there are tons of ideas for small gardens, and here we will show you some. So don’t discount the possibility of updating that narrow space. Of course, both small gardens as well as narrow patios and terraces may require a bit more thought than larger spaces. But just the same, it can be transformed into a stylish outdoor retreat. All you need are little ideas to get started.
Tips and Ideas for Small Gardens
In addition to the many ideas for small gardens, these have several advantages, but the main one is that they are incredibly low maintenance. They’re also great spaces to get creative with, as even the smallest additions – from colorful throw pillows to fancy garden lighting – will have a dramatic and impactful effect.
Visually duplicate the space
A mirror in the garden will make the space look larger than it actually is. You can certainly buy one. However creating your own using an old door or a painted trellis mounted on a mirrored board is an inexpensive alternative to an outdoor mirror. Using a grid mirror will make birds less likely to fly into it. You can also consider camouflaging the walls as much as possible. Painting exposed walls with a green exterior paint helps blend and promote the feel of the surrounding greenery. So painted walls along with the use of mirrors will help create a much stronger illusion that the space looks bigger than it is.
Create a sense of height with planting
One of the great and easy ideas for small gardens is to play with heights to add a feeling of space and depth. Use groups of different pots containing foliage at different heights and scales to make the most of the space. Add interest to a small garden by adding perspective with different levels. You can achieve this either in a sunken terrace area and a lawn, for example. Likewise, shelves and steps can also be very useful, as you will add additional places to place the pots or furniture for the guests.
Think Vertical
Living or green walls were once the domain of designer installations and commercial venues, yet they are increasingly making their way into residential gardens and more importantly small gardens. Certainly a living or green wall, it is incredibly beautiful. You should only take inspiration from the elements of a living wall, using the wall space for careful planting. This will allow even the smallest spaces in the garden to flourish, making the most of the space. Without a doubt, this can also work on a stretch of fence or bare wall, and even on the side of a balcony.
Any of these small outdoor spaces can be transformed into a vertical garden, accommodating smaller pots and baskets. These glorious textured plantings make great use of limited space. A variety of herbaceous perennials, grasses, small shrubs, herbs, and even fruits and vegetables can be used. Try to include scented plants, seasonal flowers, and bulbs. But it is of the utmost importance that you speak with the expert who will provide you with the plants, and inform him that the plants must adapt to the appearance and microclimate of the wall on which they will be grown.
Consider outdoor rugs
Try to create the illusion of space in a garden design by dividing it into zones. Lay out a beautiful accent outdoor rug to define a living area. The floor covering will act as an anchor point, so you can place small pieces of furniture around it. Giving each area a purpose helps create the feeling of space by outlining more than one use for the garden even if it is narrow.
Take advantage of every corner of your small garden
It is truly important that you think about how you can make the most of every inch of the space. Usually a small garden feels very enclosed, simply because of the surrounding walls. Therefore, the use of corner seats will not only use the space more effectively, but can also help to hide a large part of said walls a bit. You can even decrease the attention of the walls and it will create the illusion of space.
Rethink seating style
Choosing outdoor furniture that folds or stacks when not in use is a great way to save space in a small garden. Likewise, having a storage area for certain items can be very difficult in a small garden. So you can consider acquiring seats that are also used as a storage unit. This is also a great idea to create more space in your garden for the things you want.
You can also think about introducing low walls that double as seats. You may only have room for a chair or two, but there will be no space available for visitors. So by adding raised beds surrounded by walls, your plants will not only be easier to care for, but you will also create additional places for people to sit. Place some cushions for comfort, in colors that match your plants.
DIY Your Garden
Planting vegetables at home is definitely a great hobby. In addition to making good use of your gardening work, you will also save money on groceries. Sure, you may not be able to grow all the veggies you love, but there are plenty of creative ways to grow veggies without a lot of space. Try to reserve a few inches of space when designing your garden and use vegetables that grow well in small spaces like legumes, peas, lima beans and tomatoes, for example.
Try a water feature
Adding a wow factor to a small garden is usually a bit difficult. However, some styles of water fountains take away the worry of having a narrow space to decorate, this includes a slate waterfall water fountain. There is no doubt that slate water fountains are a remarkable element to add to your garden. Thanks to its vertical structure, this one won’t take up much space, although it might be a bit expensive, but it will be worth it. Of course you can consider other forms of water feature or small ponds, but the slate falls are considered unique.
What are the best plants for small gardens?
When planning a small garden, less is more. So don’t be tempted to clutter up the space. You might want to focus on a few larger pieces, like a couple of space-saving trees in large pots, or growing a tall living wall to add height and lush color. Keep in mind that, although your garden is small, that does not mean that everything in it has to be too. A large planter will add more impact than many small pots, as it will prevent the space from feeling cluttered.
Of course, too, a larger pot will hold more plants, so you can mix and match flowers and herbs that complement each other along with your overall color scheme. The pots can even accommodate a small garden with crops like tomatoes and herbs. Of course, before you start buying and acquiring plants, you must first calculate the type of soil, the pH of the soil and the conditions of the small garden. You can include evergreens for year-round interest, use shrubs and trees for structure and height, and soft grasses and herbaceous evergreens to add pops of color.
Plant a mixture of bulbs that will bloom in winter, spring, and fall in easy-to-place pots to add some drama, in fact they are also low maintenance and look great in high traffic areas. Similarly, climbing plants are ideal for small small gardens. You can consider clematis to be easy to grow, while honeysuckle and jasmine will fill your garden with delicious scent. Beans and onions are easy to grow too, and you don’t need a lot of space.
Narrow trees, such as the taxus baccata fastigiata robusta or the ornamental cherry amanogawa, are some of the best trees for a small garden. They will also make your garden feel bigger. Keep in mind that if you are short on time, tougher landscaping, and sturdier plants, they will require much less attention than a complexly planted lawn and beds. It is worth mentioning that gardens with pavement and gravel continue to be very popular, although concrete is in trend. Of course, this also depends on the taste and preference of each person.
Keep Landscape Design Principles in Mind
When it comes to landscape design and ideas for small or large gardens, there are a few principles to follow, whether you’re wanting a high-maintenance or low-maintenance garden. Well, the sections of your garden that do not provide any improvement or impact on the design are best ignored. Of course, after having thought very well how to take advantage of all the space. You should prioritize the important sections and places that bring clutter and clutter to the trails like flower beds or a water feature.
A simple and well presented design generally requires little maintenance and has better functionality. Take variety into account. If you want all shapes and sizes to be diverse, this will help create visual interest. However, one tip is that you should never sacrifice simplicity for varied spaces. This in turn will bring balance. All the ideas for small or large gardens that you use must have a certain visual weight. Balance is a way that the ideas applied in your garden, feel even through all the spaces created.
It is worth mentioning that there are two types of balance, the formal and the informal. Both can work well when created properly. Likewise, differentiating the color, texture or shape in your garden is a good way to draw attention to the different areas of the space. But make sure you don’t overdo it. Too much emphasis on these aspects, it can be somewhat chaotic and bring stress to your small garden. You should also be aware of the sequence, that is, how the transition of the size, textures and shapes of the plants is used.
It is recommended that your plants look smooth with gradual changes in height and size. Drastic designs never really look good. If you have a small garden, try not to attract attention with giant walls and trees. Keep unity in mind, in other words, that your whole garden works together. The interconnection, through a garden path, walkways, steps and other physical links, connect the garden design. But again we remind you not to overdo it.
But despite giving you these commendable landscaping design principles, in reality many times when it comes to designing a garden, there are many different things you can do and they work for you. The important thing is that you have fun in the process since you will not only have a beautiful little garden but it will also benefit you physically and emotionally. Among the benefits of gardening is that it strengthens, promotes sleep, protects your memory as you ages, stimulates mood, reduces stress.
Ideas for small gardens with minimalist style
Ideas for small gardens with rustic wall
Beautiful vertical garden setup for small spaces
Another great idea to decorate the walls of a small garden
Vertical garden to save space
Simple design of a small garden with rustic style
