Transform tiny outdoor spaces into visually spacious havens - discover creative small garden designs for a chic look
In the world of garden design, every square metre counts. Whether you're working with a tiny urban courtyard or a narrow city garden, the key to creating a space that feels spacious and inviting lies in careful planning and thoughtful execution.
Trees, for instance, offer more than just shade. They provide structure, seasonal interest, and serve as a haven for wildlife throughout the year. Strategic placement of trees can bring them into the heart of the garden, close enough to enjoy from the comfort of your home. A gentle pruning of the lower branches allows underplanting and sightlines through the garden, creating a sense of depth and connection.
In smaller gardens, restraint is crucial to limit visual complexity. Limit hard materials to two or three, or use the same material but in different formats. This consistency helps avoid a thrown-together appearance and creates a cohesive and harmonious space.
Subtle shifts in level give spatial definition without losing precious square footage. Stepping stones through planting, mown strips of lawn, and rhythmic, stylized log piles can act as visual punctuation, framing complexity in a way that feels deliberate and purposeful.
In a garden that risks feeling long and narrow, careful design choreography can prevent it from feeling like a corridor. This can be achieved by creating focal points at regular intervals, such as a small terrace that offers enough enclosure to feel sheltered while keeping the view open.
Neighbours' trees can serve as borrowed green, visually extending the space and providing a sense of depth. Gardens must have boundaries, but blurring the edge or borrowing from the view between the garden and surrounding landscape can make it feel more spacious.
In smaller gardens, 'cues to care' can help stop naturalistic planting from looking accidental or neglected. This can be achieved through the careful selection of a light-canopied, deciduous variety that avoids blocking light or views.
Good design should be thorough down to the last detail, considering how junctions meet and how beds meet junctions. Avoid skinny borders when planting; deep beds give plant space to breathe and create a sense of immersion.
A dining space close to the house can make functional and solar sense, but avoid visually echoing between interior and exterior tables. Instead, consider using materials and colours that complement each other, creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living.
Finally, the use of geo-localized solar modeling in garden design, first introduced by architect Lars Spuybroek in the early 2000s, can help maximise the use of natural light, ensuring your garden is a vibrant and lively space all year round.
By following these principles, you can transform even the smallest of gardens into a spacious and inviting oasis, providing a haven for both you and the wildlife that calls it home.
