With Spring coming in with full effect, any homeowner worth their seeds will be turning their attention to priming their outdoor spaces ready for the warm, radiant days of summer coming our way. Of course, recreating the grand visions we all have for our outside spaces is normally less than straightforward, especially given the small space we often have to work with.
However, a smaller size garden is no reason to shrink your ambition, and we’ve got all the best tips in order to turn your garden into a bite-sized oasis.
Use vertical space
Using vertical space in a small garden is a clever way to maximize planting areas without sacrificing valuable ground space. By incorporating structures like trellises, plant towers, or hanging baskets, you can grow climbing plants, such as peas, beans, or vines, that stretch upwards rather than outwards. Vertical gardens also provide opportunities for growing flowers, herbs, or even small fruits like strawberries, making the most of every inch. Additionally, vertical elements can add depth and dimension to the garden, creating a visually dynamic and lush environment. Whether through walls of greenery or tiered plantings, utilizing vertical space transforms a cramped garden into a vibrant, productive space.
Multi-functional furniture
When trying to make the most of limited space, the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone is priceless. There are several garden furniture pieces that come equipped with built-in growing spaces, allowing you to make sure not an inch is wasted when organising your garden. Whilst it’s worthwhile to note you don’t want to overwhelm your guests, the ability to introduce furniture to your garden whilst not losing out on growing space for plants is a massive bonus, and when utilised correctly can allow you to create a warm, welcoming garden complete with organised, functional furniture.
Cooler colours
An interesting factor to consider when choosing your colour palette for your garden, but different colours are key when looking to make the most of a smaller space. Cooler colours are the better option when looking to create a big impression with not much ground to play with, as they actually give the impression that the plants are further away, accentuating the space and making your garden feel larger than it is. Warmer tones have the tendency to feel closer than they actually are, and with a small garden can have the opposite effect and make the space feel crowded or claustrophobic. Of course, this doesn’t mean your garden has to be monotone, and brighter colours can still be used to bring bursts of life amongst the cooler tones of their surroundings.
Maximise Sunlight
With a small garden, it’s important to make sure that the crowded areas of plants don’t end up competing with one another and starving other plants of sunlight in the process. Make sure that taller plants are placed so that they don’t block their smaller comrades from sunlight during prime hours, which also means that they aren’t being blocked from view. With smaller space available, it’s vital to make sure your plants work together and compliment one another, rather than drowning each other out and obscuring parts of your display.
If you’re looking to make the most of a small outdoor space this summer, make sure to follow these simple steps, and regardless of size you can make sure your garden is the talk of your neighbourhood when it comes to BBQ season!
