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Design a courtyard


Courtyard garden ideas: 22 stunning ways to transform small, walled spaces

(Image credit: Moda Furnishings)

These courtyard garden ideas will transform even the smallest area into an inviting zone. Sure, they're not the easiest plots to work with – a lack of space, a lot of stone, and walls that err on the side of imposing can all lead to a boxed-in vibe that feels devoid of character and charm. However, there's no need to despair. There are plenty of tips and tricks you can try to liven up the scene and turn it into one that you'll love.

Just as good small garden ideas can give less-than-large backyards a new lease of life, there are plenty of fabulous courtyard garden ideas that can also work wonders. As you'll soon see, these spaces have so much more potential than you might initially think, whatever your budget or style.

Courtyard garden ideas: 22 chic looks for small spaces

We've brought together some of our top courtyard garden ideas below to help you give your plot a refresh this season.

1. Create an outdoor living room

This set-up would work just as well indoors as it does out

(Image credit: Photoword/Colin Poole/Future)

Your courtyard is a precious extra space for socializing with family and friends. So, why not view it as an extension of your home and style it in the same way you would your interior?

Take this design for instance, which offers a cozy yet eclectic vibe. Outdoor furniture has been arranged to define zones for dining and lounging, whilst lights overhead add to the laid-back look and will offer an enchanting glow when night falls.

We love the quirky details too, from the traditional fire place to the window-like mirrors, whilst plenty of bright colors help the space to really sing. Looking for more inspo? Our small patio ideas feature has plenty.

2. Add a cover overhead

A stunning cover up high lets in light and air whilst keeping things cool, whilst Manutti's Mood chairs from Go Modern Furniture provide a stylish seating solution

(Image credit: Go Modern Furniture)

Courtyards may be sheltered from the sides, but if yours is overlooked, you may wish to invest in patio cover ideas too. To save on precious floor space, opt for an adjustable shelter that attaches up high, such as awnings or a sleek design like this. That way, you'll be able to pull it open and closed as the mood (and weather) takes you.

We like the use of neutral-hued finishes in this set-up too, from the wooden bench to the sleek decking underfoot. It brings a soothing vibe into the space, especially in combination with the pale painted walls. The odd potted plant and carefully chosen accessory are all that's needed for a splash of color.

3. Set the scene for a film night with friends

Stripy outdoor rugs from Walton & Co make an ideal accompaniment to a garden cinema scene

(Image credit: Walton & Co)

The enclosed nature of courtyards make them the perfect setting for your own private cinema. Just take a cue from this cozy scene; pick one of the best outdoor projectors and hang a sheet from a washing line for a screen.

Add plenty of comfy seating and colorful cushions and some low glowy lights for an enchanting vibe that everyone will love. Then pop on the latest blockbuster and snuggle down beneath the stars.

You'll find plenty more cozy outdoor living space ideas in our dedicated guide.

4. Slot in a sofa

This set-up from Moda Furnishings fits perfectly into the space

(Image credit: Moda Furnishings)

Picking the right-sized furniture is key when it comes to small garden layout ideas. And this set-up shows how it can be done to perfection.

The corner sofa seems like it was purpose-built for the zone. Matching stools make a great addition for when entertaining guests, whilst a central coffee table offers a space to pop drinks and pretty accessories.

Again, the walls are painted white, to help brighten and lift the zone, whilst clambering foliage offers a welcome shot of green. Growing plants upwards softens walls and fences and provides a riot of color and interest in a small area, as says Gardenesque . 'Create height with vertical climbing plants such as honeysuckle, clematis, passiflora, and jasmine, trained on wall mounted trellises to grow upwards where the footprint is sparse,' they suggest.

Want to recreate the look? Our guide to the best climbing plants has more advice.

5. Fill with vintage features for an eclectic vibe

Vintage furniture gives this courtyard a boho feel

(Image credit: Ryan Wicks/Future)

Now here's a space that's full of boho charm. The ornate metal furniture offers a whimsical, shabby-chic appeal. And, we adore the fireplace mantel which evokes a sense of grandeur.

A large mirror propped in the corner helps to expand on the feeling of space, whilst potted plants add a modern touch with their architectural foliage. A set-up like this doesn't have to be expensive either – why not have a rummage through thrift stores for vintage treasures, or get creative with upcycled salvage?

6. Keep things toasty with a fire pit

Manutti's Cascade range from Go Modern Furniture c omplements this chic scene beautifully

(Image credit: Go Modern Furniture)

For extra wow-factor and practicality, consider planning your outdoor furniture's layout around a fire pit. That way, you can entertain alfresco all year round.

As long as there's enough room for them to be lit safely, they make a brilliant addition to courtyard garden ideas. This in-ground design instils a sense of huddling around the camp fire, but with a much more sophisticated edge.

Surround with modern furniture and potted palms for a luxe vibe – these grey chairs make an elegant statement with their woven rope design.

Looking for more fire pit ideas? You'll find lots of lovely designs in our feature.

Add pattern and color with a rug from The Rug Seller

(Image credit: The Rug Seller)

Colorful textiles are an easy and affordable way to channel personality into your courtyard garden ideas. As well as layering up soft cushions and throws, add one of the best outdoor rugs from our buying guide to create a look that transitions smoothly from indoors to out.

The ochre, geometric design of this one is both trendy and fun – perfect for a modern urban plot.

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A vibrant selection of planters from Dobbies

(Image credit: Dobbies)

'Where space is at a premium, a pot or container is a great way of adding the option to grow,' says Gardenesque. 'Where paved courtyards make it hard to dig down, containers give the option to grow vertically.'

Tall planters and statement pots are a stylish idea for both paved and decked areas. This selection of pots and plants show how you can create interest by varying heights with plant stands, whilst vibrant blooms add a sizzling pop of color. 

Try long-flowering rudbeckia (in the green and white pots) and gerbera (in the ceramic and copper pots). As well as providing a focal point, you can reposition them to suit the occasion, or move them out of the way if you need more space. You'll find more lovely looks in our garden planter ideas guide.

9. Choose multi-tasking pieces

This sleeper wooden bench from Wayfair looks great teamed with the tall Geo cachepot planter

(Image credit: Wayfair)

A stylish wooden bench is a great buy when it comes to utilizing every inch of space and finding objects that double up for different purposes. As well as using it to create a modern-looking plant display to show off your beautiful container gardening ideas, you can simply move the plants if you need to repurpose it for more seating.  

Made of fibreglass, the larger grey pot in this scene is super lightweight, making it an easy choice for moving around if you like to restyle your space regularly.

10. Revamp your furniture

This furniture has been painted in English Yellow chalk paint from Annie Sloan

(Image credit: Annie Sloan)

Create a visual link between indoors and out for a seamless look in your courtyard garden. For instance, if your kitchen is painted yellow or you've used yellow accents in your kitchen accessories, carry on the color theme outdoors for visual continuity. 

This doesn’t have to be a big (or expensive) job. It can be as simple as adding a few coordinating cushions or perhaps painting your garden furniture. The vibrant color of this set-up will really help to lift a shady space, especially if your courtyard is overlooked.

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11. Choose quirky accessories

Add a sense of play with this planter from Audenza

(Image credit: Audenza)

Every small courtyard needs a statement piece as a diversion. It will add some personality to your space for that standout factor. 

This classically-inspired planter (it's of the Greek god Hermes, in case you're wondering) will take attention away from small dimensions and add some wow-factor. Planted up with grasses it will look like he's growing hair!

12. Add a level

Add a splash of green to your courtyard with faux grass from Carpetright

(Image credit: Carpetright)

One of the best ways to make more of a small space is to add another level to make your garden look and feel larger. This can be done with raised beds and steps up to create an additional area for plants. 

Bench seating doubles as storage for cushions and rugs. You don’t need to miss out on lawn ideas, either: faux grass is great for courtyards. There are tons available that are made from high-performing fibres that look good all year round and feel luxurious underfoot. All they need is a quick spritz with the hose now and then to keep them pristine.

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13.

Keep planting simple

These sleek pavers are from Walls & Floors

(Image credit: Walls and Floors)

In a small courtyard garden limit the number of different types of plants as mixing together too many varieties can look fussy and overdone. 

How about choosing a simple combination of grasses, ferns and evergreens? It works every time and, even better, there's no deadheading to be done, freeing up summer evenings for you to enjoy your space. 

Pair your cool green planting with smooth grey slabs for a timeless look that will take you from one summer to the next.

14. Limit your colors

On-trend textiles from Weaver Green make a good addition to courtyard gardens

(Image credit: Weaver Green)

When it comes to choosing accessories for a small space, you could try sticking to a simple palette of one or two colors in addition to green, which tends to be the defining element in most gardens anyway.  

Outdoor rugs, cushions and throws in muted tones of dove grey like these ones feel contemporary yet at the same time, classic. Grey is a good neutral to tie in with your planting scheme, complementing the cool tones of lavender and white shown here. And, it's a natural fit with many hard landscaping features, such as concrete patio ideas.

15. Squeeze in an outdoor bar

This tucked-away space includes decking from Trex  

(Image credit: Trex)

Who wouldn’t want to hang out here? We love this secluded courtyard garden with its cozy seating arrangement, pergola for plants to scramble over and swish slimline bar. 

The scene features eco-friendly, low-maintenance decking ideas made from 95% recycled materials, including reclaimed wood and household plastics. A green bar you say? What's not to like.

16. Use reflections to create an illusion

Modern garden chairs from Nest complete this minimal yet stylish scene

(Image credit: Nest)

Reflections from a stylish window panel nearby make this courtyard look much bigger, enhancing the space by bouncing light into a dark corner. Another option is to use garden mirror ideas, which are available in all types of styles. If you're not keen on glass mirrors because of safety reasons, try a lightweight acrylic mirror sheet. Easy to clean, you can resize them with a sharp blade to fit any space. 

When paired with coordinating chairs, this scene provides tons of visual impact. An architectural fern or two complements the minimal aesthetic.

17. Go for a luxe look

Ohio porcelain slabs from Tile Mountain offer a chic finish to this space

(Image credit: Tile Mountain)

Limit your landscaping ideas to just one or two for a sleek and streamlined look that's on-trend and makes the most of a compact space. 

And, with only a small courtyard area to pave why not go for the best? Beautiful to look at as well as durable, these elegant porcelain pavers add an understated style. The unusual rectangular shape also draws the eye to make the space look bigger. 

Simple seats built into raised beds make the best use of space, as does the fire pit platform, which doubles up as a table when not in use.

18. Decorate the walls

Corten metal screens from Screen with Envy pep up a wall

(Image credit: Screen with Envy)

Give your garden fence ideas or walls an instant fix by hanging panels to add a decorative touch. 

These Corten metal screens feature a pretty tree motif and are an easy option to reimagine fences or walls. They can also be used to add privacy if you want to redefine your courtyard space with separate areas.

19. Lounge in style

This daybed from Lime Lace offers a relaxed vibe

(Image credit: Lime Lace)

We love the idea of a daybed and this design can be left outside all year round, whatever the weather, as it's water resistant: just the thing for creating a cozy corner in your courtyard. As well as being super comfortable, it’s perfect for cocooning with a sheepskin throw. 

You can use it as a standalone item or push it up against a wall together with cushions to transform into a sofa. Enhance the sleek styling with plenty of throws to layer up a contemporary look. 

You can find more laid-back seating for your courtyard garden ideas in our best outdoor beanbags buying guide.

20. Zone your space

The HAY Palissade bench from Nest

(Image credit: Nest)

It's worth dividing your courtyard into dedicated zones as this will make it look and feel bigger. Think about creating a second seating area that's separate from your outdoor dining ideas, such as a spot for quiet reading or a moment of contemplation over your morning coffee. 

Built-in seating is a super space saver, while slimline benches can be stowed easily under tables. This bench is multi-purpose as it can double up as a side table for plants and other outdoor accessories too.

21. Set the mood with lights

Lights4Fun  have a great selection of lighting buys for courtyards

(Image credit: Lights4Fun)

'To make your courtyard come alive at night, why not hang some string lights from wall to wall across your space to add the perfect lighting for an outdoor get-together?' suggests Gardenesque. After all, in the same way a room needs different lights to create the right ambience, so does your courtyard. A garland of pretty festoon lights will add a sense of enchantment, while you can never have enough lanterns to make it feel intimate.

Choose different sizes and dot them around. If you have a favorite piece of garden art or other feature you want to draw attention to, add lights to turn it into an eye-catching nighttime feature.

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22. And relax…

A hammock like this one from John Lewis is on our wish list, as is this lantern by Nedgis  

(Image credit: Nedgis)

Enhance the relaxation potential of your courtyard by using an existing beam to put up one of the best hammocks or egg chair. 

Not an option? No need to miss out. Instead choose a freestanding hammock like this one. Made of a super soft, quilted fabric, it has a lightweight tubular steel frame and is quick and easy to set up and fold away. Add subdued lighting to create the right mood. 

This lantern can also be hung from a beam or pergola. Laid-back living has never been so easy.

More top tips for making a courtyard garden look good:

By now, you're hopefully feeling inspired by lots of courtyard garden ideas. But, if you're after even more inspo, take a look at these tips:

  1. 'Storage and multi-functionality are the two key elements that all outdoor furniture for small gardens should have,' says Jonny Brierley, CEO of Moda Furnishings . Furniture that interlocks when not in use is a great option to limit the footprint, allowing you to use your garden for other activities, he adds.
  2. Don't forget about potted trees. As Gardenesque suggests, a terracotta planter can transform a small courtyard, adding a focal point when filled with architectural plants such as conifers and bays. You can find our pick of the best trees to grow in pots in our guide.
  3. Why not take advantage of your sheltered space and try lush exotics such as tree ferns and banana palms in large planters? They make a great fit if you're after a tropical-inspired mood. If your space is too shady, opt for some of the best shade loving plants instead – ferns and hostas will always turn heads.

The Julius XXL Tuscan terracotta pot from Gardenesque

(Image credit: Gardenesque)

What colors should you use in a courtyard garden?

To start, fences and walls should be in neutral shades as bold colors will jump out at you and make the space seem smaller. So, avoid those on-trend inky-hued walls, and paint them in bright whites or very pale greys instead for a soothing and brightening effect.

You can either continue the neutral theme with your accessories, or add in splashes of color to draw the eye – whichever suits your style. However, for a pulled-together look, it's always best to stick to a tonal palette – that way your courtyard garden ideas won't feel overwhelming and chaotic.

You can find more garden color scheme advice in our guide.

Lifestyle journalist Sarah Wilson has been writing about gardens since 2015. She's written for Gardeningetc.com, Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Easy Gardens and Modern Gardens magazines. Having studied introductory garden and landscape design, she is currently putting the skills learned to good use in her own space where the dream is establishing a cutting garden.

18 ways transform an enclosed space |

(Image credit: Christine Wilford/Green Arden Design)

Courtyard garden ideas can be tailored so that however small your space, a purposeful, good-looking backyard can be the result. Ideally, they should combine elegance with low maintenance, too. 

Even the smallest courtyard or terrace can make an enticing outdoor space with a little care and attention. Backyard ideas like visual tricks, good lighting, interesting planting and comfortable seating can play to the strengths of even the most awkward or compact of courtyard gardens.

When designing a courtyard garden, the space needs to be used as efficiently as possible, incorporating a degree of flexibility since it’s a multi-purpose area used for a range of activities like outdoor dining, entertaining and relaxation. ‘Think very carefully about how you will use the space and plan it accordingly,’ says designer John Wyer .

Courtyard garden design tends to work best when pared down. Cool contemporary tones bring a modern aesthetic to your outdoor space, and a simple palette of hard-landscaping materials creates clean, practical surfaces. 

‘The biggest mistake is to try and fit too much in,’ says John. ‘Keep it simple, and choose items such as planters and furniture carefully. A simple design with high quality elements always works best.’

Courtyard garden ideas

To get you started, we've rounded up the best courtyard garden ideas to help you maximize space in your garden. Along with our favorite small backyard ideas, these should provide all the design advice and inspiration you need for a beautiful courtyard garden.

1. Use vertical space for planting

Play with scale by using large plants in a small space, choosing a simple refined palette of plants offering textural contrast (garden design by Harris Bugg Studio)

(Image credit: Chris Everard/Harris Bugg Studio)

A trick some garden designers use in courtyard gardens is dense planting, which can increase the feeling of seclusion and privacy. Planting is often restricted to a handful of high-performing plants used to create interest all year round, with vertical planting, in the form of climbers and wall shrubs, softening the edges of the hard landscaping.

‘In this courtyard we designed in Holland Park, London, we worked alongside interior designer Rose Uniacke to create a connected kitchen-to-garden space that was stylish and classic,’ explain designers Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg of Harris Bugg Studio . ‘The compact footprint of the garden meant that every detail is visible, which meant a laser-like focus on simplicity in materials and plant choices.’

A restrained planting selection focuses on form and repeating a limited number of plant varieties to give coherence, rather than packed with single examples of many species that can risk feeling overloaded and busy. ‘Tree ferns with lush green dissected leaves and undulating heights give visual interest and a sense of being immersed in the planting, as well as making the garden feel much larger.’

Good quality landscaping materials, clean lines and layers of textured planting with height can transform a small space into an urban retreat that’s an extension of the house (garden design by Christine Wilford of Green Arden Design)

(Image credit: solutions for small gardens Christine Wilford/Green Arden Design)

A small courtyard design lets you extend the interior aesthetic outside with complementary hard landscaping and boundaries. Choosing just two or three landscaping materials that match the scheme inside the house is a stylish interpretation that pulls everything together.

‘In this courtyard garden design, the clean, crisp and strong geometrical lines of the paving and raised garden beds, softened by lush and architectural planting, echo and complement the mood of the interior, creating a seamless transition that removes the boundaries of where the garden begins and ends,’ says designer Christine Wilford of Green Arden Design .

The design of boundaries of small gardens is crucial as they are permanently on show. ‘Painting the fence dark lets it recede into the background whereby the attractive planting will hide and blur the boundary, and makes the garden space appear much bigger.’ 

The stunning water feature idea adds an eye-catching focal point that draws the eye into the space.

3. Include a series of eye-catching focal points

This tiny urban space designed by Jack Dunkley is transformed by architectural planting, a series of ornamental screens and a handmade freestanding water bowl and fire pit by Solus

(Image credit: Jack Dunckley)

A small outdoor space needs creative solutions to turn it into an urban retreat that’s both sociable and practical. Adding a key feature like a water bowl or yard art ideas, as well as decorative screens also presents focal points that help to detract from the small dimensions of the garden.

In a modern urban garden, garden screening ideas and boundaries reinforce a feeling of privacy and help to shield the social space of the garden from neighboring properties. In this courtyard garden, LED lighting was set behind Kyoto ‘Ochiba’ aluminium screens on walls and underneath benches to soften the look and switch up the space for night-time entertaining.  

The sculptural outlines of trees can be used to lightly veil other areas of the garden, affording tempting glimpses through. ‘Architectural plantings like bonsai in pots, Italian Cypress and Yucca rostrata create dynamic form and structure,’ explains designer Jack Dunkley .

The contemporary garden space in the lower terrace complements the modern architecture of the house, while a more natural look is developed at the lawn level (garden design by James Lee Design)

(Image credit: James Lee Design)

It’s important to get the balance between small backyard landscaping ideas and the planting right, and to create the space for plants to grow without constraint.  

‘We like to use the junction where different hard landscaping materials butt up to one another as a design feature,’ says James Lee . ‘In smaller gardens this attention to detail can be very important where it’s much more likely to be in constant view.’

Porcelain as a hard landscaping material has many advantages, especially for a modern scheme. ‘We’ve used it in this garden at the terrace level and also to clad the vertical faces of the steps and planters that lead from the lower level to the lawn level, where the pale colour offsets the vibrant greens of the evergreen plants,’ explains James.

Use the same elements on different levels such as these beautiful concrete planters by Urbis Design helps to link the two spaces. The planting is relatively minimalist with each planter containing only a single species of plant, selected for their form and flowering colour at different times over summer. The alliums are left standing long after flowering to create sculptural interest.

5. Create a canopy of leaves

A long and narrow courtyard garden by Farlam & Chandler features pleached crab apple trees and a canopy of fig leaves as a solution to the problem of being overlooked

(Image credit: Farlam & Chandler)

Introducing trees can bring structure, seasonality, shade and also privacy if you’re overlooked in a courtyard garden. If a space is small, consider trees that you can walk beneath, which also bring high level screening for privacy. A canopy of leaves that diffuses dappled light is good for planting as well as helping to create a magical setting for al fresco entertaining.

‘In this garden the canopy of fig trees has been gently pruned to create an arch above a path through the garden,’ says Harriet Farlam, creative director of Farlam & Chandler . ‘The foliage does a great job of obscuring neighboring windows while also framing the view of the dining terrace.’

Providing privacy and vertical interest in the garden, a row of pleached crab apple trees is another practical solution in a small space where a sense of openness is required. They can be tightly clipped to create narrow screening instead of the more organic, wide canopy of a standard tree.

6. Borrow views and incorporate them

This sleek and stylish roof garden by Bowles & Wyer features a minimalist design that’s equally enjoyable during daytime or at night as a space for entertaining. Planting includes red-leaved Virginia creeper, a dark ‘hedge’ of star jasmine and the grass Liriope muscari ‘Monroe White’

(Image credit: Bowles & Wyer)

The key to courtyard garden design is to borrow adjacent views while screening the things you don’t want to see. This can create a beautiful space that feels both larger and more sheltered. 

‘Longer views are less of an issue and remember that you can block a distant building easily with a well-placed small tree,’ says John Wyer, CEO and lead designer at Bowles & Wyer. ‘If you’re being overlooked nearby, an airy tree like this olive can be the solution.’ 

As a general rule Mediterranean plants and trees cope well on an exposed sunny rooftop.

7. Don't overcomplicate your space

(Image credit: Darren Chung)

'Keep it simple – don’t get too carried away when planning small courtyard garden ideas,' says Dan Bowyer of Fisher Tomlin & Bowyer . 'A carefully chosen palette of materials and plants is often the most satisfying. 

'However, this doesn’t mean you can’t be adventurous and experimental. Just be mindful that trying to squeeze too much into a compact space will make it cluttered and decrease usability.'

It also pays to keep material in mind when designing your courtyard ideas. For instance, gravel is not only low-maintenance and affordable, but it is also one of the most security-conscious garden path ideas as the noise it makes underfoot can be a good burglar deterrent. 

8. Introduce outdoor lighting

(Image credit: Garden Trading)

Clever outdoor lighting ideas are a brilliant way to add drama and interest to courtyard gardens, allowing you to enjoy your space way beyond dusk.  

No space is too small to light; even window boxes in balcony gardens can be given a nighttime makeover with a small spotlight or outdoor fairy lights woven through the planting. 

Alternatively, decorative candle holders and oil lamps cast a soft, romantic light, and are ideal for occasional use in small courtyard garden ideas.

9. Create interest with a water feature

(Image credit: Jody Steward)

Consider the use of water. Standing water with a subtle ripple or movement evokes gentleness, calm and softness. It also reflects the light, helping to make a small garden look bigger.

Correct positioning is important – some water features will be most successful as the design centrepiece of courtyard ideas, while others are better tucked away within planting so that you aren’t fully aware of them until you enter the space.

10. Bring the inside out

(Image credit: Future / Paul Raeside)

Create a visual link between inside and out when you plan a small garden: think about using similar flooring in your courtyard garden and your property’s interior. This immediately ensures that the eye moves seamlessly from space to space.  

Continuity of approach from the inside out will help make a courtyard garden feel part of your home. This can range from paint colors and materials to simply using plants whose flower color complements the interior. 

Be mindful that, although some paving materials can be used both internally and externally, the stone outside will tend to weather over time.

11. Be mindful of your plant selection

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton)

The choice of planting is essential in courtyard garden ideas. Use plants that won’t overcrowd the space. However, you also need to ensure you are not always looking at fencing or boundary walls. 

A really useful plant is the evergreen climber trachelospermum jasminoides, commonly known as star jasmine, that can be incorporated into your garden fence ideas to mask any unsightly areas. It will offer year-round interest, with an abundance of white flower from mid to late summer.

12. Make the most of a small courtyard 

(Image credit: Future / Mark Bolton )

'It’s important to put generosity of space and a sense of place at the heart of your design,' advises Marcus Barnett of Marcus Barnett Landscape & Garden Design . 

'In urban areas particularly, an easily accessed courtyard space which feels comfortable and generous in its proportions allows for relaxation and calm. It’s the perfect antidote after a busy working week.' 

Use seating to your advantage, and position garden furniture so that you can make the most of your surroundings – no matter the size or shape of your courtyard garden.

13. Do you want sun, shade or beautiful views?

(Image credit: Future / Mark Luscombe-Whyte)

'Think about the orientation of your space too, as it can change the overall feel of courtyard garden ideas immensely,' says Marcus Barnett. 'By altering it, you can turn a generous space into one that feels enclosed or intimate, in a warm sunny spot or a cool shady area. ' 

Equally, the view will be altered depending on the orientation of the courtyard – would you prefer to look back at the house or outwards to a prominent focal point in the distance, for example?

(Image credit: Future)

Consider taking an element of ‘furniture’ from the interior of the house out into your courtyard garden ideas. For example, a kitchen work surface can be run outside in the same alignment to add to a sense of linkage and visual pairing between the spaces. 

Color used inside your home can also be matched to elements of the courtyard, like in this vibrant space, serving as a visual reminder between inside and out. 

15. Learn the tricks of the trade

(Image credit: Future / Val Corbett)

When planning for smaller or enclosed spaces, particularly when looking at narrow or long garden ideas, it’s important to draw the eye through simple, enticing design. 

Many courtyards or urban gardens can be overlooked. Try obscuring any unwelcome views with garden screening ideas such as considered planting that adds some height but not too much depth, so as to avoid eating into a compact square footage.  

Long lasting plants such as verbena bonariensis add height and can be contained in small areas, with flowers lasting from May through to the winter.

16. Plant white flowers and hedges

(Image credit: Future / Camilla Reynolds)

Try using white flowering plants in small courtyard garden spaces, as they can help create light. 'White flowers are also the last color that you see at night, so when planted in the right place they add depth,' says Sean Butler of Cube 1994 Ltd . 

'In shady areas, use saracoccoa, commonly known as the Christmas Box, a very richly scented evergreen plant that flowers early. A good all-round plant which crosses all boundaries is Buxus (clipped box). This can be used to create good structure to all garden themes.’ 

You can also include some trees for a small garden, like in the formal courtyard garden above, which add a sense of height and structure.

17. Maximize a very narrow courtyard

(Image credit: Alice Ferguson)

Many garden designers base their plans on a series of squares and rectangles that work well in small, regular-shaped plots as zoned areas. Others design layouts on the diagonal, which can make the space seem larger. 

There are lots of other design tricks that can help too. If you want to hide the boundaries to give the illusion of space, for example, paint fences black and they will seem to recede. Or use the vertical space, both in terms of hard landscaping and planting, to draw the eye upward.

The best planting for courtyard gardens tends to have multiples of one variety that are repeated at intervals. Grasses and evergreens are popular as they look good throughout the year and simplify the color scheme. 

‘Don’t think that a courtyard garden can’t be full of plants. You just need to choose the right plants, ones that create drama and intrigue and the illusion of space,’ says designer Miria Harris . ‘Plants that have a diaphanous quality, like ornamental grasses or tall perennials with slender stems and small flowers, don’t block views. Instead they create movement and vertical accents that lead the eye upward. ’ 

If a courtyard garden feels enveloped by plants then it is less likely to feel enclosed and restrictive.

18. Use exaggerated verticals to maximize space

(Image credit: Future / James Merrell)

Vertical garden ideas are perfect for courtyard gardens because they leave much of the floor space clear for seating, while packing it with greenery. The upside, too, to exaggerated vertical gardens is that they can be viewed from upper stories, too, so if you have a large expanse of brickwork facing down into your courtyard, embrace it, and hide it. 

How do I make a courtyard garden look good?

There are many ways to make your courtyard garden ideas look good. Firstly, approach the furnishing of your outside space in a similar way to the treatment of the inside. 

Consider warmth under foot by using outdoor occasional rugs. Introduce punctuations of color and variations of texture in throws and cushions. 

The hard materials you use will also make a difference – panels of timber for some of the boundary treatment can be softer in appearance than stone or rendered walls and will also create a quieter space with less echo.  

Practicality is key to help the space to function well, but think about the look you’d like to create too, whether streamlined or relaxed and rustic. A timber table will create a very different feel to one made of steel or glass, or a vintage ‘found’ piece of furniture. 

When it comes to exterior flooring, using pebble mosaic, richly textured herringbone or basket weave brickwork can make the space feel larger. Similarly, a smooth terrazzo can create a clean, spacious feel. Natural sawn stone is an attractive solution, as it’s often rich in tone, smooth underfoot and can look very warm, while small garden decking ideas are also worth considering for courtyards.

What can I plant in a courtyard garden?

The key to creating a successful courtyard garden is to choose the two main elements – planting and paving – carefully. 

The type of planting you choose will help to soften the look and feel of any courtyard garden ideas. Consider feathery grasses or velvety ferns, and if your space is small, try to create a sense of lightness using plants with soft foliage and small, delicate leaves.  

Color is important, too. Opting for light greens, silvers and grays will help create a sense of spaciousness, while highly reflective, shiny leaves can add light and shimmer, providing a greater depth in the planting scheme. 

In larger spaces, fragrance is a good way of zoning: a variety of fragrances in different areas of a terrace can suit different moods, and help them come to life at different times of day. 

It is even possible to add small vegetable garden ideas into your courtyard and grow crops like strawberries and herbs in pots.

How do I make my courtyard garden look bigger? 

In smaller or enclosed courtyard gardens, it’s best to draw the eye to simple design elements or standout features.

If your garden looks out onto a side return, consider painting the wall white to reflect the light and increase a sense of space. Another trick is to mix hard materials. Stone paving interspersed with narrow pebbled strips can look effective, as can juxtaposing angles, such as contrasting sleek decking with paved travertine.  

Length will draw the eye, so try to site a standout plant, sculpture or small water feature towards the end of your space. Consider incorporating fixed seating, such as a banquette running along an external wall, to instantly increase the useable space, making sure the spot receives sunshine.

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.

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