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50 Best Small Garden Ideas

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Being surrounded by fresh greenery and florals improves our physical, emotional and mental well-being — which means houseplants and outdoor gardens are the key to making your house feel like a home, both indoors and out. There are a ton of affordable ways to reinvent your small outdoor space, whether you're hoping to grow fruits, vegetables and herbs, or stick with simple perennial flowers, bushes and ground cover plants. To prove that decorating a small landscape is easier than you may think, we've rounded up charming small garden ideas that you'll want to steal when spring rolls around.

Even in very small garden areas, a little creativity and a couple clever design hacks can go a long way. As you browse these inspiring and colorful outdoor photos, you'll find a ton of garden projects fit for balconies, courtyards, backyards and more. For modern small spaces, you'll want to find affordable patio furniture (like bistro tables, stools, benches and hammocks) to elevate your backyard design.

A few of the genius ideas: plant a tiny floral patch in the backyard, set up a DIY vertical garden, build a raised garden bed or hang fresh herbs from a wooden palette. You'll also discover tips for growing beautiful evergreen shrubs, trailing plants and the best trees for small yards. Keep scrolling and you may even decide to assemble your own backyard pond, outdoor living wall or bubble fountain.

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1

Gardening Station

Helen Norman

Create a spot dedicated to potting and trimming your outdoor plants. The best part? This table is made from a few galvanized barrels and an old wooden door.

2

Living Wall

Stephen Karlisch

If you don't have floor space to display your plants, mount pots onto the exterior of your house. Here, interior designer Tori Rubinson sticks with terracotta pots, but you can also go for bold patterns and colors!

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3

Wind Chime

Christian Durocher

Instantly elevate a small garden space with a beautiful bird house wind chime, like designer Kate Anne does here. Not only will it draw birds to your yard, it'll create a soothing sound in the process.

4

Container Gardening

Buff Strickland

Green up your patio or deck with oversized terracotta or plastic planters overflowing with anything from tomatoes to wildflowers. (The lush lineup here creates a pretty privacy wall!)

SHOP POTS

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Container Gardening

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5

Cocktail Garden

Inspired by Charm

You guessed it! A cocktail garden is a space designated to growing ingredients for delicious drinks. Go for herbs like mint, basil and sage, as well as fruits and veggies such as strawberries, cherries and peppers.

Get the tutorial at Inspired by Charm »

6

Barrel Pond

Nelli Hergenröther / EyeEm//Getty Images

Make use of an old whiskey barrel and create your own backyard pond — a great alternative if you don't have space for a real one. Add your water plants (lily pads, of course) and even a few small fish.

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7

Vertical Herb Garden

A Beautiful Mess

Whether you have a small yard or lack outdoor space altogether, a vertical garden can be a charming addition. You can create one on your own with landscape fabric and copper pipe.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess »

8

Lattice Green Wall

Obsessed with lattice? For an unexpected touch to your garden, let the pattern set the foundation for a green wall.

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9

Pallet Garden

Buff Strickland

Attach clay pots to a pallet with nails and stainless steel cable ties for a living art display that keeps your rosemary and basil at the ready. Space out the pots so your plants have room to grow.

SHOP POTS

10

Pergola Full of Greens

Elke Borkowski; GAP Photos/El

Grow your garden vertically by trailing plants up the sides of a pergola, fence or outdoor wall. English ivy, pothos and Russian vines are a few great choices.

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11

Plant Markers

I Heart Arts N Crafts

Keep your garden organized, so harvesting remains quick and easy. Craft your own plant markers using wooden paint sticks and some acrylic paint. Added bonus? This is the perfect craft for kids.

Get the tutorial at I Heart Arts N Crafts »

12

Succulent-Filled Birdbath

Lisa Romerein

Hardy succulents, which stow water in their stems and leaves, will thrive in a shallow birdbath perch. Add pebbles to hold more moisture in the soil.

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13

Repurposed Shelf Garden Box

Bless'er House

If you're partial to vintage-inspired decor and happen to have an old shelf that's been collecting dust in your home, consider turning it into a garden box. It's the perfect spot for herbs like mint, thyme and parsley.

Get the tutorial at Bless'er House »

14

DIY Bubble Fountain

Scared Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

With just a few supplies, including a submersible pump, a waterproof pot and decorative river rocks, you can make your garden more zen with an eye-catching DIY bubble fountain.

Get the tutorial at Scared Thoughts of a Crafty Mom »

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15

Vibrant Chairs

GAP Photos/Clive Nichols

Outfitting a small space doesn't mean you have to settle for drab furniture. The brighter, the better is the way to go to bring your outdoor area to life.

16

Herb Garden

A Beautiful Mess

There's something special about an orderly display of potted plants, especially when they're in vibrant colors that showcase the beauty of the season.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess »

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17

Mistana Rolf 2-Piece Galvanized Iron Wall Planter Set

17

Mistana Rolf 2-Piece Galvanized Iron Wall Planter Set

Now 44% Off

$30 at Wayfair

Credit: MISTANA

If you've been longing to give vertical gardening a try, now's your chance. Go for one or two planters, depending on just how green your thumb is.

18

Faux Grass Stepping Stones

Sugar & Cloth

You might not have a huge lawn, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a bit of grass — even if it's faux. These faux grass stepping stones are inexpensive to make on your own.

Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth »

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19

Mason Jar Planters

Crafts by Amanda

Add a country-chic touch to your garden with mason jar planters (pint or quart size), which are perfect for herbs of all kinds. Use outdoor vinyl and a Cricut machine to mark each jar.

Get the tutorial at Crafts by Amanda »

20

Fold-Out Shelf

Lisa Romerein

38 Small garden ideas to maximise your outdoor space

If you've got a spatially challenged outdoor space you might think you're limited for what you can achieve. However, there are a tonne of wonderful and creative small garden ideas to transform even the tiniest plot.

Petite spaces may require a little more thought than larger garden ideas, but they come with plenty of welcome advantages. For a start, it forces you to be a little more inventive, which can often result in serious style and beauty. The other big plus is that due to their size, more often than not they're delightfully low-maintenance.

Chris Bonnet, Founder of Gardening Express says 'Whilst they certainly pose some challenges, small gardens are usually much easier to maintain, plus they’re generally more budget friendly too. Even if you’ve only got a tiny terrace or balcony to work with, you can still enjoy your outdoor space with the help of careful planning.'

'Containers, hanging baskets and window boxes will all come in handy if you want to plant in the limited space you have.'

Francesca Hadland, Styling Expert at Bridgman agrees, 'When space is at a premium, designing and decorating your garden can feel like an impossible task, but small gardens have huge potential. '

Small garden ideas

'First, decide on the main role for the space,' adds Alix Hollingsworth, award-winning garden designer and co-founder of Dig Club . 'Committing to a single use in your garden if it's small is important;  choosing what you'd like the garden to be primarily used for (such as a dining area, drinks terrace or only a space for planting) means it won't feel overly busy and cramped.'

Whether you're looking to create an impressive balcony garden, squeeze outdoor furniture into a courtyard or fill a plot with greenery, you'll find lots of small garden ideas to inspire you.

1. Captivate with containers

(Image credit: Dobbies)

You might not have space for flowers beds or a lawn, but you can still bring plants and small trees into your garden, through pots, planters and containers, an easy garden idea.

Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies advises, 'If you don’t have the space for beds and borders, you can still achieve an impactful display with containers. Early season Primroses, Violas and Pansies work well in pots for beautiful spring colour, and you can cluster these together for maximum effect. Hanging baskets and window boxes are another great space saver and can be filled with seasonal plants for a cheerful display.'

2. Turn a tree stump into a table

(Image credit: Future Plc/Carolyn Barber)

If your space is too wee for a traditional garden table and chairs set up, try incorporating a small side table as a place to rest your alfresco cuppa (or even better, sundowner.)

If you're looking to make space by cutting down a tree or too, recycle the wood by sawing up lengths of the trunk, stripping it of bark and attaching castors to the base. Alternatively, check your local neighbourhood portals or the local paper for anyone getting rid of tree stumps. Make sure you use locking castors for safety, so the table doesn't run away from you.

To give it a twist, paint the top with outdoor paint to add a touch of colour to the table surface.  

3. Opt for flexible furniture

(Image credit: Bridgman)

Finding the best garden furniture for your outdoor space is worth spending some time on, especially if space is at a premium.

Francesca Hadland, says, 'Steer clear of cluttering up a petite patio area with furniture that sits unused most of the year. Think smart with stylish and space-saving flexible furniture. Choose chairs, bar stools and even loungers that can be stacked on top of each other and stored away when not in use. Pair with a foldable table for a set you can effortlessly move to one side whenever you choose.'

4. Turn to trailing plants

(Image credit: Future PLC /Jamie Mason)

Make use of a garden fence to add colour and greenery. Climbing plants and trellises are a great solution for small gardens, as they lift flowers and foliage up off the ground.

Marcus Eyles at Dobbies advises, 'Climbing plants are a great way to add charm and dimension without sacrificing a lot of space. Varieties such as Clematis montana and Sweet peas work well with most fences and walls and will elevate your garden with their eye catching flowers and fragrance.'

5. Make your fencing work harder

(Image credit: Forest Garden)

Take inspiration from the elements of a living wall, by using vertical wall space for thoughtful planting. This allows even the smallest of garden spaces to flourish and is particularly useful if you are looking for decorative grassless garden ideas.

The simple yet savvy addition of horizontal fence panels can turn the side of the shed, a stretch of bare fence or the side of a balcony into a decorative living wall.  Any of these small outdoor spaces can be transformed into a vertical garden, accommodating smaller plant pots and baskets.

Jenny Davis of Forest Garden says, 'How gardens are used is changing and now we are seeing more versatile uses of space, with sections dedicated to growing, entertaining and recreation.'

'Our slatted wall planters, £99. 99 each, Forest Garden , are a fabulous accessory. Not only do they allow spaces to be partitioned but in smaller gardens they are great for creating a living plant wall, bringing greenery to exterior walls.'

'In 2023 I expect we are going to see people get really creative making use of every inch of their garden.'

6. Think vertically

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Save precious outdoor square footage - be it lawn or patio - by taking what you can off the ground. If you have a wall or strong fence available, this is the ideal spot to affix a slim shelving unit. Alternatively, DIY it by exploring pallet ideas for gardens.

You can use these levels to display potted plants, keep smaller garden accessories, and to double up as somewhere to set your drink or hold your hat.

Marcus adds, 'When it comes to designing a small garden, making the most of the space you have is essential so vertical planting options are a great solution. Not only will these free up room, they’ll create an instant impact and can be used to grow everything, from flowering plants and perennials, to herbs and leafy greens. '

7. Repurpose an old step ladder to display plants

(Image credit: Future)

This is another way to take pots and planters off the ground. By placing them on the steps of a step ladder you're freeing up the space below for more greenery. The well worn appearance of an old or no longer used  wooden step ladder also adds rustic charm to your garden. 

This planting solution creates extra space to showcase potted plants and garden accessories. No matter how small your space, you can guarantee you'll be using it as efficiently as possible.

8. Go big with variety

(Image credit: Future / Colin Poole)

'Don't be tempted to plant only small plants as these will only emphasise the space of a small garden,' says Alix Hollingsworth of Dig Club. 'Instead plant a range of sizes to create shape and variety. 

'When planting shrubs, opt for larger specimens but don't go for very dense varieties as these will look like they take up more space than they do. If you want a tree, choose multi-stem ones which appear lighter, as you can see through the stems to the rest of the garden.'

9. Create a layered look

(Image credit: Future PLC)

Layers don't just add the illusion of depth when in your hair - they can go a long way in gardens, too. Combine both raised beds and ground levels beds to add height and create a layered look to your planting, implying the presence of much more foliage than there actually is.

Additionally, slightly raising a path or walkway will make the ground level planting seem taller, too. It's really beneficial to work out how to plan a small garden in advance of starting.

10. Shade a dining spot with an awning

(Image credit: Hillarys)

There's no denying that pergolas draped in Wisteria look lovely but in a small garden it may simply not be practical. 

'It's not a great idea to put pergolas right up against the house as this can cause a lot of unwanted shade in the winter,' says garden designer designer, Charlotte Rowe .

If you're going to want shade during alfresco summer lunches without limiting light in your home over the winter months, an adjustable awning is a great space-saving option for petite patios.

11. Attract wildlife with flowers

(Image credit: Future / Colin Poole)

Just because a garden is small doesn't mean it can't provide a home for nature. Hang nut and seed feeders for birds on tree branches and leave a tray filled with water for them to drink and bathe in.

Leave gaps in fences to create a hedgehog highway and fill your garden with colourful flowers to attract butterflies and other pollinators. It will not only make your garden a calming space, it will delight little ones when they spot visiting wildlife too.

12. Plant according to sun and shade

(Image credit: Future / Colin Poole)

Plants need sunshine but there are plenty that don't like direct sun all day and prefer shady spots. So plant according to your garden's situation, as well as its soil.

'Shady gardens can still look fabulous,' says Alix Hollingsworth at Dig Club. 'If your small garden doesn’t get much sun, don’t worry, you can still fill it with wonderful plants that can bring character and personality to the space. 

'“Jungle” or “Forest” style plants such as Ferns, Dwarf Bamboo and impactful shrubs like Fatsia japonica with their large leaves can help fill the space and create a lush, green haven. Colour can still be delivered through Geraniums such as ‘Rozanne’, Alliums and Irises which provide pops of confident colour amongst the greenery.'

13. Turn it into a tropical oasis

(Image credit: Future / Alasdair McIntosh)

Outdoor living is wonderful but noone wants a garden filled with furniture and devoid of life. Fake plastic grass is depressing and too much concrete looks soulless. So create plenty of pockets of foliage around paths or patios with hedges, shrubs and trees.

If your small garden doesn't get much frost, grow species that thrive in warm weather such as grasses, palms and tree ferns (which like partial sun and shade). Tropical plants like these will give your garden a holiday feeling all summer long.

These living elements will make your garden more enjoyable for you and your family too.

'Trees bring several other benefits to your garden, such as the calming sound of leaves rustling in the wind and lowering the volume of artificial noise in your garden,' says Cass Heaphy at Paving Direct.    

14. Work in an arbour

(Image credit: Future / Lizzie Orme)

Enjoy your garden from a new angle with an arbour. These sheltered areas take up less space than a pergola would yet provide an extra shaded seating area.  

Placing an arbour at the end of your garden in a sunny spot away from the dining area enables you to make the most of the space at different times of the day. 

It could be a quiet retreat to enjoy a morning coffee before the day revs up, or somewhere to relax with a sun downer and take a breath after work. 

15. Add interest with plenty of pots and planters

(Image credit: Future)

Having plants in pots and planters means you can move them around - and into a conservatory, greenhouse or indoors to protect them when a frost is due.

'Interesting planters and pots of various heights mean they are not only a space saver but can be used to create a sense of enclosure when placed around a seating area, or as focal points around the garden,' says garden designer, Alix Hollingsworth at Dig Club. 

'The style of planter is important too - ensure it's in keeping with the overall style of the garden and even the interior of the house to create a sense of continuity. Don’t feel you have to stick to just one plant per pot. 

'For larger ones, consider a small tree like Olive or Bay, and underplant with trailing plants such as Vinca minor or Helianthemum ‘The Bride’ which tumble over the edges of pots and soften the edges.'

16. Use walls and fences for climbers

(Image credit: Future / David Giles)

In a small space don't forget to use walls and fences for greenery. Climbing plants provide shade and create a lovely sense of enclosure. They're good at absorbing noise and pollution too.

'Plant vertically in a small space,' Alix Hollingsworth, Dig Club. 'This could be with a living wall (although these can require a bit of maintenance), or with planters that are slightly oversized. 

'This also means you can play with the planting combinations within them and create interest and height with textures, colours and form. Using climbers such as the evergreen Star jasmine that can add interest and greenery, and don't take up too much space.'

17. Take the indoors out

(Image credit: Future PLC /David Giles)

Make a small garden feel bigger by making it feel like a continuation of your indoor space with outdoor living room ideas. Making the most of the space makes it more valuable, no matter how small. Dress your small garden space with a furniture set and add decorative outdoor fairy light ideas to ensure it's a space you want to spend more time.

'Do not let attention to detail go amiss, the same principles apply externally as they do an interior project,' says Emmie Brookman, Creative Director of Silver Mushroom . 'Your outdoor space should be an extension of your home, so make it comfortable and accessorise the same way you would indoors. Introduce cushions, throws, candles and bowls, after all you can always take them back inside if the weather turns.'

Similarly, a plethora of potted plants adds foliage, but as pots are moveable you get a sense of freedom to change things around from time to time.

18. Create a mini herb garden

(Image credit: Sadolin)

Herb gardens don't have to only exist on your windowsills or in a large dedicated vegetable patch. Upcycle a side or coffee table to create a homemade and bijou planting area, perfect for herbs.

As well as saving you space beneath for extra planting or storage, by having the plants higher, you'll save your back a lot of strain that you might get from bending over veg beds.

'As well as herbs, salad leaves and lettuce are also incredibly easy vegetables to grow,' says Cass Heaphy, gardening expert at Paving Direct. 'Some plants come through within four weeks. Find seeds in your local shop and sow in regular intervals for a full salad bowl throughout summer.'

19. Grow your own veg in containers

(Image credit: Future)

You may think this isn't possible to grow your own veg in a small garden, particularly if you want to use it to socialise. But not all crops require a large dedicated patch. 

'Tomatoes are some of the easiest vegetables to grow in containers,' says Cass Heaphy at Paving Direct. 'As long as you have a location that receives at least five to six hours of sunlight per day, you can grow tomatoes in a small corner or even a balcony container garden with ease. There’s a large variety of tomato species out there but if you are limited for space choose smaller types such as Cherry tomatoes.'

'Runner beans, sugar snap peas, broad beans, French beans can also be grown in a small spot, as long as they’re basking in the sun all day. All you need is a pot that is at least one foot deep, and if you have a climbing variety, a trellis-like structure for the vines to grow on. Make sure to sow seeds regularly so you get a succession of crops over the summer.'

20. Choose slimline options

(Image credit: Future PLC /Dunelm)

Slot in a slimline plant stand in smaller outdoor spaces. Cover bare areas of fence or brickwork with plants and trailing greenery and then look vertically for extra planting. Add a ladder stand to add height to displays - it's one of the easiest budget garden ideas and easy to move if you fancy a change.

21. Add a gallery wall

(Image credit: Future PLC /Tim Young)

In the same way you would hang pictures indoors, create a display of frames and wall hung planters on an outside wall, fence or shed. Utilise junk shop finds by hanging old wooden frames and up-cycle old loaf tins as planters. Just drill holes in the base for drainage and in the side for hooking onto the wall.

Hang above a pretty garden bench, as you would a sofa indoors and finish off with some cushions and a throw.

22.

Create a mini outdoor kitchen

(Image credit: Future PLC /Tim Young)

Extend your kitchen capacity into the garden. Potting tables can provide a slim, compact surface along one side of a patio for outside food prep, choosing units with galvanised or zinc topped surfaces will make wipe-down easier and protects wooden surfaces from weather damage, too.

Hang a bamboo pole above your units from cup hooks screwed into the wall or fence and use S-hooks to hang kitchen utensils along its length.

23. Double your space

(Image credit: Future PLC /Tim Young)

When working out how to make a small garden look bigger, one foolproof idea is to use garden mirrors. Create your own using an old gate or some painted trellis mounted onto a piece of mirrored board.

This is not only an inexpensive alternative to an outdoor mirror it also prevents any danger through mirror breakage. Set a table close by so that you can enjoy a view of the garden wherever you are seated.

Top tip: using a grid style mirror means that birds are less likely to fly into it.

24. Create a kids corner

(Image credit: Future PLC /Tim Young)

Sacrifice a raised bed to create a section of deck with a giant blackboard and covered sandpit for some sunny-day play. Try using old railway sleepers to create a barrier for sand and soil.

Finish by fixing a peg rail to the underside of the sandpit lid for hanging toys and tools.

25. Set up a private bar

(Image credit: Future PLC /Tim Young)

Look to outdoor bar ideas to create your own little entertaining zone with a clever pull-down bar made from a couple of pallets and a length of chain. Cut the top section from the pallet to use as the flip down section and attach using two strong hinges and lengths of chain.

Adding an outdoor herb planter to the top section will keep them within easy reach for drinks and barbecues.

26. Hang furniture to free up floorspace

(Image credit: Future PLC /Tim Young/Charlie Young)

When working with small indoor spaces, designers will explain the importance of elevating furniture off the floor to create the illusion of more floor space. Wall-mounted bathroom units are a prime example of where this applies.

Use the same design idea in a small garden by choosing a hanging chair. A nook of a garden is all you need for a reading corner, the perfect place to get away from it all. This hanging bamboo chair keeps the floor and sightline clear giving a feeling of space in even the smallest of spaces.

Highlight the area with clusters of pots that contain foliage at varying heights and scales and mix up shop bought planters with vintage buckets or troughs. Mix materials like zinc, rattan and terracotta, to give your garden an effortless layered up look. 

27. Make a small space work harder

(Image credit: Future PLC /Colin Poole)

Divide your garden into zones to gain the illusion of extra space. With individual purposes, the space will feel larger because of the multifunctional uses and outdoor 'rooms'.

Depending on available space, and what you like to do, there's a multitude of zones you could create. Think an entertaining space, reading nook, outdoor kitchen ideas, play area, vegetable plot... the garden's your oyster!

28. Add new levels

(Image credit: Future PLC /David Giles)

Add interest with small garden ideas by adding perspective with different levels. A classic way to do this is to have a raised or sunken terrace, and the lawn at another height.

The ledges and steps will help open up how you can use the space, adding in extra spots for plant pots to be arranged or areas to add furniture to accommodate guests.

You can also cheat this look with the clever use of raised beds.

29. Get creative with shelves and hooks

(Image credit: Future PLC /Jamie Mason)

Shelves and hooks aren't just for indoors. Create extra precious surface area for pots and pretty accessories by putting up some shelves. Ideally they should be mounted into brick, as your garden fence might not be able to take the weight.

Reclaimed scaffolding boards are an inexpensive solution, supported by wrought iron brackets that you can pick up for a few pounds from your nearest DIY store. The wall-mounted shelves will clear up your floor space from lanterns and plant pots.  A recycled peg rail can also become the perfect place to hang outdoor lighting.

30. Use paint to trick the eye

(Image credit: Cuprinol)

Draw the eye up with a cleverly painted backdrop, creating the illusion of extra height and space. A simple two-tone block colour treatment can jazz up any expanse of garden fencing.

Using a dark colour helps to make more of a statement with the effect, it also compliments green foliage beautifully.

31. Make the most of space with a multifunctional shed

(Image credit: Future PLC /Joanna Henderson)

Make a shed work harder in your small space by making it multifunctional. Use the shed to house garden furniture in the winter, then open out into a bar for garden parties and alfresco sundowners in the summer months. Cheers to that idea!

32. Use every corner of a courtyard

(Image credit: Future PLC/Colin Poole)

If your small garden space is a courtyard think about how you can use every inch of space to full potential. Often a courtyard area has the potential to feel very enclosed, simply by the nature of looming brick walls surrounding it.

Using clever corner seating will not only use the space most effectively, the high-back sofa design can help to hide a large portion of said imposing walls. This in turn will distract from the walls and create the illusion of space.

33. Fix planters under the kitchen window

(Image credit: Future PLC /Joanna Henderson)

Window boxes are a classic way to add planting to small spaces, but go one stage further by doubling up. Simply buy or build two simple troughs on top of one another.

It's a great place to grow herbs, especially if placed underneath a kitchen window. Just open the glass and reach out to grab what you need.

34. Plant a garden in pots to surround the seating

(Image credit: Future PLC /Keith Henderson)

You don't need a lawn to create a lush garden - and flower beds aren't necessary either. A low-maintenance 'flooring' option such as gravel is great for small gardens. Add lots of pots, filled with everything from the tiniest flowering plants to tall and bushy trees.

Finish off with some garden furniture and you'll have the perfect spot to enjoy a summer's day.

35. Brighten with colourful furniture

(Image credit: Future PLC /David Giles)

Even the tiniest terrace can be transformed into something exceptional. If your garden is short on square footage, a planted terrace can be a good solution, combining elegance with low maintenance. Simple paving such as travertine or traditional stone creates a sleek or rustic look, while clever planting will soften and provide privacy.

Just add comfortable seating to create an ideal outside room. Plus, if your WiFi should reaches to your terrace, you've got a ready made summer WFH spot.

36. Aim high

(Image credit: Future PLC /Annaick Guitteny)

Turn a small courtyard into a lush habitat with a tactile and towering living wall. Plant up a natural focal point for a super contemporary way to add interest while keeping much-needed floor space clear for patio slabs and super-sociable seating. Balance the domineering wall with a trio of large pots with small fruit trees and bedding plants.

Living, or green, walls, once the domain of designer installations and pioneering commercial sites, are increasingly making their way into residential gardens. When it comes to how to make a living plant wall, foliage is rooted into a structure that is attached to a wall.

A range of herbaceous perennials, grasses, small shrubs, herbs and even fruit and vegetables can be used to create these vertical small garden ideas. Try including scented plants, seasonal flowers and bulbs, but talk to your local garden nursery about plants that will suit the aspect and microclimate of the wall on which they will be grown.

37. Build a cool cabana

(Image credit: Future PLC /Chris Everard)

Include garden shade ideas in your small garden with a homemade sun lounger – a few square feet, budget materials and your imagination are all you need. It's a fine summer garden idea you'll thank us for when the heatwave finally hits.

Take two branches, two pallets, and a fabric offcut and assemble them to create a bohemian lounger for two. Make it comfortable and inviting with a bolster in funky geometric fabric. If your garden is dominated by the overhang of a tree, angle the fabric so that it can also act as a canopy, protecting the area below.

38. Pretty up with soft furnishings

(Image credit: Future PLC /Darren Chung)

Small garden ideas require careful planning if you're going to make to most of a cosy corner. A garden bench is a practical and stylish way to make an impact – if you don't mind relinquishing some precious floor space – and will be perfect for lounging should the sun make an appearance this summer!

Choose a streamlined modern design and give it a colourful makeover with exotic cushions.

How do you make a small garden look pretty?

Living green walls are ultra-fashionable and can be used to hide unsightly boundaries and add lush foliage even in a garden where space is limited.

A funky fireplace makes for a quirky focal point in the garden and allows you to enjoy summer evenings even longer (or even gives you a place to store your wood). Ask your garden designer to incorporate a built-in fireplace into their plan, or head to Amazon  for a good selection of freestanding fire pits, from £30.

Bright colours will also make a small garden really sing. Naturally, you can do this with planting, but there are other ways – such choosing a brightly coloured bistro set, or even by painting your fences or shed in a vivid pink or blue.

Chris Bonnet adds, 'Just like for indoor spaces, choosing the right colour schemes will help make your outdoor space look bigger as well. Vibrant flowers, shrubs and features can make small gardens appear lighter and bigger. Warm colours make spaces feel more intimate, while cool tones add depth and serenity.'

'You should also pay attention to garden lighting - it should be subtle and highlight specimen plants to create shadows and give the garden depth. '

How do you lay out a small garden?

If your want to change your small garden layout, start by looking at the existing space. ‘Look at what plants are thriving and think about where the sun falls,’ advises Katrina Wells of Earth Designs .

'If you like having the gang round for dinner, for example, you’ll probably want to position your dining table and chairs where it’s sunny. If it’s a lunchtime gathering, you’ll need some shade too. Also is there any dead space? Or a shed keeping your garden in the shade for half the day?'

Next, consider its upkeep. ‘Think really carefully about how much time you are willing to dedicate to maintaining the space,’ says London-based garden designer Charlotte Rowe . ‘If you’re time poor, more hard landscaping and sturdier plants will require much less attention than a lawn and beds with complex planting.’

Paving and gravel courtyards are still popular, while concrete is right on trend.

What are the best plants for small gardens?

‘Start by working out the type of soil, the soil pH and the conditions in the garden, then buy the best plants for those surroundings,’ says Sally Tierney of Yorkshire Garden Designer .

'Include evergreens for year-round interest, use shrubs and trees for structure and height, and soft grasses and herbaceous perennials to add pops of colour and soften the architectural elements.

'Plant a mix of bulbs that will flower in winter, spring and autumn in easy-to-arrange pots to add drama – they’re also low-maintenance and look great in the high-traffic areas such as around the patio or a favourite bench.'

Climbing plants are great for small gardens – clematis are easy to grow, while honeysuckle and jasmine will fill your garden with fragrance.

You could also plant fruit trees and fill raised beds with veg. Is there anything more rewarding than harvesting your own fresh crop of lettuce or strawberries?

Potatoes, beans and onions are also fairly simple to grow successfully – and you don’t need acres of space to cultivate them. It's possible to grow enough to eat five a day from just 10 sq m of raised beds.

How much does it cost to landscape a small garden?

You can plan your own garden, but a trained designer will help you not only with your plant selection, but also know how best to maximise your space. Some will also do the landscaping (or work in tandem with a landscaper) to complete the job.

Garden landscaping costs depend on the size of your garden, the complexity of the design and how much experience the designer has. An initial consultation might cost £450. A typical urban garden can cost anything from £6,000, including the design and build.

Holly Walsh has been Content Editor at Ideal Home since 2021, but joined the brand back in 2015. With a background of studies in Interior Design, her career in interior journalism was a no-brainer and her passion for decorating homes is still as strong as it ever was. While Holly has written for most of the home titles at Future, including Livingetc, Country Homes & Interiors, Homes and Gardens and Style at Home, Ideal Home has always been her ideal home, and she can be found sharing her expertise and advice across both the printed magazine and the website too.

Just a photo: Small backyard gardens - 28 solutions

Classic bosquets, a terrace, a pond and an old fountain - it all fits even in a small backyard

Over 19 million photos of realized interiors, gardens and buildings on the site have been uploaded to Houzz . Every week we choose the best shots on a given topic from them (you can suggest your idea for a selection in the comments).

► We remind you: to get additional information about the project, see all shooting angles or ask a question personally to the project designer - click on the photo you like

Cultivart Landscape Design

1. Diagonal
Where: Perth, Australia
Project Designer: Cultivart Landscape Design

TKL Design Inc.

2. Green Chess
Where: Vancouver, Canada
Project Designer: THOMAS KYLE: Landscape Designe
What we like: The idea with a lawn and paths in the form of a chessboard.

Honor Holmes Garden Design

3. Separation of zones
Where: London, UK
Project designer: Honor Holmes Garden Design
What we like: the dining room, the butt was masked with shrubs and trees and bushes were planted along the lawn.

Harrington Porter

4. Green carpet
Where: London, UK
Project Designer: Harrington Porter
What we love: Artificial turf on the wall, like a carpet.

IN YOUR CITY …
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Neil Jones Design

5. No extra beds
Where: Hampshire, UK
Project Designer: Neil Jones Design
What we love: Fireplace stove and seating area.

Marlin Landscape Systems

6. With a focus on wood
Where: Dallas, USA
Project Designers: Marlin Landscape Systems
What we like: The idea with the slab, knocking the rhythm and the bench tracks.

Meister und Meister GmbH

7. Mini garden with bosquets
Where: Hamburg, Germany
Project designers: Meister und Meister GmbH
What we like: How the idea of ​​a regular French garden with bosquet geometry is implemented on a small plot.

Charlotte Rowe Garden Design

8. Lesse in the fireplace
Where: London, Great Britain
Designer of the Project: Charlotte Rowe Garden Design
What do we like: as British Landshafniya - a wide bench, a minimalist fireplace and a green curtain behind.

John Davies Landscape

9. Water Walkway
Where: Essex, UK
Project Designer: John Davies Landscape
What We Like: The idea of ​​a water lane and a water zone separation.

Isabelle Rouyer Architectures & Design

10. Mirror Break
Where: Paris, France
Project Architect: Isabelle Rouyer Architectures & Design
What we love: A mirror idea on the back wall to give the illusion of more space.

Garten- und Freiraumplanung Martina Zellner

11. Both pond and terrace
Where: Munich, Germany
Project designer: Garten- und Freiraumplanung Martina Zellner What we like:
with two squares , one of which was turned into a mini-pond, the other into a terrace for relaxation.

Laara Copley-Smith Garden & Landscape Design

12. Kids & Adults
Where: London, UK
Project Designer: Laara Copley-Smith Garden & Landscape Design
What we love: Wooden deck with sandpit space, distribution and built in zones.

Studio H Landscape Architecture

13. Rock Garden
Where: Orange, USA
Project designers: Studio H Landscape Architecture
What we like: The idea of ​​a dry rock garden on a small plot.

Inspired Property Designs

14. Boxes on the wall
Where: Sydney, Australia
Project Designers: Inspired Property Designs
What we like: Wooden box moved to the side of the house for plants on a previously blank wall.

Jarret Yoshida Design

15. Round
Where: Brooklyn, USA
Project Designer: Jarret Interior Design
What We Like: Lounge space in the form of a circular bench.

The Association of Professional Landscapers

16. At different levels
Where: Berkshire, UK
Project designers: The Association of Professional Landscapers
What we like: Garden layout and terracing , mirror panel on the end wall.

Tom Howard Garden Design and Landscape Design

How did you take into account shade distribution on the site, having arranged a recreation area near a sprawling tree.

Charlotte Rowe Garden Design

18. Ruled
Where: London, UK
Project designer: Charlotte Rowe Garden Design
What we love: A geometric approach to garden planning.

Mackay + Partners

19. Game of levels
Where: London, UK
Project designers: Mackay + Partners
What we like: How the level difference is played; idea with terrace plantings along the stairs.

Little Miracles Designs

20. Wood and greenery
Where: New York, USA
Project designers: Little Miracles Designs
What we love: How to play with a narrow courtyard with stairs and planting flowers in the middle of a wooden deck.

Alena Arsenyeva's landscape workshop

21. Rockery and retaining wall
Where: Moscow region, Russia
Project designers: Alena Arsenyeva's landscape workshop
What we like:
0014 A section with a transverse slope was played with a retaining wall, which at the same time became both part of the flower bed and the “lead” to the rockery.

Julia Dide

22. Ruins and greenery
Where: Kaliningrad, Russia
Project designer: Yulia Dide
with inserts "wiped" forging.

Gardens by Gabriel, Inc.

23. Fire bowl and herbs
Where: San Luis Obispo, USA
Project Designer: Gardens by Gabriel
What we love: How the path's curved shape is reflected in the outlines of the bench, fire pit and mini fountain.

James Gartside Gardens

24. Recessed Corner
Where: London, UK
Project Designer: James Gartside Gardens
What we like:

Seed Studio Landscape Design

25. Wood and Pebbles
Where: San Francisco, USA
Project Designers: Seed Studio Landscape Design
What We Like: Small recessed garden pebbles and a wooden deck that can be used as a bench.

Mayita Dinos Garden Design

26. Fountain and Ruins
Where: Los Angeles, USA
Project Designer: Mayita Dinos Garden Design
What we love: A garden room idea that plays on the ruins. There are cracked floors through which grass grows; "ceiling" formed by canopies of four olives, an old fountain from a French estate.

markdesign, llc

27. Backyard Lounge
Where: Albuquerque, USA
Project designers: markdesign, llc
The areas of the garden and the "residential part" are highlighted with different coverage.

URBANSCAPING LTD

Small garden: practical backyard design

Growing a beautiful garden in one season is impossible. But, if you correctly approach its arrangement, then after a while you will be able to admire the beauty of nature and spend warm days and evenings in a colorful corner, even if it is compact and very small. We have prepared tips for arranging a small area, observing all the rules and the most common wishes.

Spatial thinking

There is an opinion that a small front garden is easier to design. But it's not. In fact, a spacious garden, even in not very good condition, looks good, but with a small one, the opposite is true - planning flaws and design mistakes are immediately noticeable. Therefore, before you start planning and designing your garden, decide how many functional areas you need and try to imagine how and in what location you will decorate them.

Care

During the planning stage, you also need to determine how much time and how often you are willing to devote to tending your garden. The choice of all elements directly depends on this. If you want a backyard garden that doesn't require a lot of time and effort, make the most of the space for gravel paths and fills. And if you can’t imagine the design of the backyard without bright flowers, beautiful shrubs and like to work with the earth, then prepare a spacious place for planting plants.

Choosing the style of backyard garden design

A lot depends on the right style, so when considering the design of the garden, it is important to decide on the direction in its design.

  • Classic is great for small gardens and regular geometric shapes. The basis of the design is straight lines and right angles. Keep this in mind when planning flower beds and paths. Symmetrically arranged topiaries and shrubs, decorated in the form of geometric shapes, are perfect for them. And the lawn - it must be perfect
  • Art Nouveau style can be used to decorate an irregularly shaped yard. Its highlight is neat details, smooth lines and forged furniture elements. As the main accents, you can plant a couple of large trees and supplement them with shrubs and large perennials - luxurious hydrangeas, spireas or roses, as well as modern symbols - bright irises.
  • Hi-tech garden design is comfortable to live in and easy to care for. The size of the plot is not of fundamental importance, but the house and additional buildings must be in the same style. This style is characterized by gravel paths, paving and non-standard reservoirs. In this case, the zoning of the space is not important - the courtyard will look more like an original open-air studio.

By the way, please note: