15 great ideas for a small garden
Too little space doesn’t mean little ideas! We’ll show you how to turn a small plot into a great place to relax and make it look like a respectable garden.
The secret of successful small gardens lies in good design: Come up with an interesting idea around which the whole space can be built, and at the same time make the best use of the features of the plot. It is also important to keep all elements in the same style and color – only then the overall picture of the page will seem harmonious.
1. “Movement of Color.”
Plant plants of two or three soothing colors that harmonize with each other in different parts of the plot. Overlapping purple bushes, as in the photo, the first in the foreground, the second in the background, visually enlarge the room.
Overlapping purple bushes, the first in the foreground and the second in the background, visually enlarge the room.
Plant supports
A proven design option is to create perspective. It is optimal if the whole area is not immediately visible. Make it so that the beauties gradually open up as you penetrate deep into the garden. Use special partitions: hedges, pergolas, screens.
Left: Supports for green plants, such as arches and pergolas, create vertical structures and an intricate play of shadows to create a three-dimensional space. A low boxwood hedge also divides the site into two parts. Right: Visual deception is created by tendrils for climbing plants that are three-dimensional rather than flat.
Left: Supports for green plants create vertical structures and whimsical shadow plays. Right: Visual trickery is created by three-dimensional tendrils for climbers, rather than flat ones.
The size of absolutely all design elements, such as the B. flower arch, must be proportional to the size of the garden. Otherwise, there is a sense of disharmony.
Many plant support structures are sold or disassembled. You can compare offers from various online stores in our marketplace. See a selection of arches and spires.
3. Interpreted walkways are our allies.
They contribute to the illusion of a large garden. After all, a path around a bend is truly mesmerizing: you walk along it and don’t know where the garden’s borders are and what other beauties are hiding behind the bends.
Left: The path around the bend is really fascinating. Right: Several narrow paths lead to a remote resting area under the trees. The two boxwood trees that mark the entrance to this area add special charm to this corner of the garden.
The publications will help you in planning your garden paths and choosing materials for their design:
4. Lead all paths … In the center of the garden.
In addition, the space between the paths is occupied – only one corner is left open for relaxation. In this way, the illusion of the size of the garden is maintained.
All paths lead …. into the center of the garden. And since the space between the paths is taken up, only one nook is left open for relaxation. This lets you feel the effect of the size of the garden.
5. Wooden pavilion in combination with garden shed
A must-have item in the plot! The glazed part can be used as a mini greenhouse. And in the house itself there is a place to store garden supplies, barbecue and even a wheelbarrow – little space, a lot of use! Wooden pergola combined with a garden shed
6. A mini birch alley with beautiful white trunks
It outlines the spatial perspective in the garden and adds depth to the space.
A mini birch alley with beautiful white trunks will outline the spatial perspective in the garden and add depth to the space.
7. Tiered decks.
Creating tiered decks allows you to visually increase the space of your garden.
Creating tiered areas allows you to visually increase the space of the garden
8. Truth or deception?
It seems like you can get to a corner surrounded by greenery through that fancy wall passageway. It’s actually a very high quality decorative poster. Not a bad idea, right?
True or deceptive? It seems like you can get to a corner surrounded by greenery through this fancy passageway in the wall. Indeed, this is a very high quality decorative poster.
You will find several ways to implement “optical” ideas in the article Game of Hide and Seek: mirrors, glass and polycarbonate in garden design.
9. Portable fountain
Fountain of different sizes brings variety to the garden and is suitable even for the smallest areas due to its compact size.
Portable fountain of different sizes adds variety to the garden and thanks to its compact size is suitable even for the smallest of plots.
10. Simple stone partition
Divides the plot into different zones. Thanks to this division, a cozy seating area was created on several square meters.
A simple stone partition divides the area into different zones
An island of flowering plants in the middle of the lawn.
Breaks up the level plane, blocking the view of the garden. No longer visible at a glance.
An island of flowering plants in the middle of the lawn breaks up a flat plane, blocking the view of the garden
12. The creek with its gravel and stone banks
Is very much like nature. It attracts attention and detracts from the size of the garden. The creek with banks of pebbles and stones is very similar to nature
13. Mirror effect.
On a small plot, even a decorative pond can be placed. It is clear that the pond will be small, but even this will help to create the desired optical focus. The calm water surface reflects the sky, clouds and everything around the pond like a mirror. This effect makes the garden seem larger than it really is. The rectangular shape of the pond also plays into your hands by visually enlarging the area.
The calm water reflects the sky, clouds, and everything around the pond like a mirror. This effect makes the garden seem larger than it really is. The elongated rectangular shape of the pond also plays into your hands: such a configuration visually expands the area
For step by step instructions on how to create such a pond, see the material Pond with their own hands.
In a small garden perfectly looks geometric shapes: square, rectangle and circle. Elements of such configurations will bring order and clarity to the structure of the whole garden plot – whether it’s a flower garden, terrace or pond. And narrow, smooth paths and straight hedges can help to visually expand a garden.
14. Green “accents”
When choosing green “residents” for a small garden, give preference to small trees and shrubs. Examples are Norway maple ‘Globosum’, Norway maple ‘Nana’ or Babylon willow ‘Umbraculifera’. Depending on where they are planted, these green helpers can effectively decorate the boundaries of a plot or provide attractive accents. Take, for example, the standard Snow White rose: when it blooms, it is simply impossible to take your eyes off of it. This shrub looks especially spectacular at the intersection of optical axes. It becomes a vantage point.
When the standard rose ‘Schneewittchen’ blooms, it is simply impossible to take your eyes off it. This shrub looks especially spectacular at the intersection of optical axes. The point in particular stands out. With the help of small trees with spherical crowns in the garden you can create bright accents.
15. Original decorative elements
Another step on the way to the successful decoration of a small plot. And it’s all about the fact that unusual sculptures, original vases and cute lights attract attention and distract from the modest size of the garden.
Photo: My Beautiful Garden archive, Elke Borkowski, Classic Garden Elements, Ursel Borstell, Annette Timmermann, plus.dk
Features of landscape design of a small garden
A small garden is quite different. The conventional wisdom is that a small plot near the house, planted with trees, is the same garden. It is not so simple: it can be divided into several levels right in the apartment or on the veranda.
No need to think about the size of the garden, a small garden is cheaper, easier to care for and looks as good as large expensive gardens. Many trees, shrubs and flowers can be placed even in the smallest space. And with proper planting, you can visually expand the area.
How to organize?
Working on the design of a small garden is more interesting than over the design of a large area. The fruits of your labor are visible at once, no need to wait years for the trees to grow. And most importantly, it’s nice to do it with their own hands. It is only necessary to take into account some of the features of the miniature room.
A small garden can get lost against the background of a large house. To prevent this from happening, it is isolated by raising the floor.
A small, well-designed mound around the house reduces the importance of the building and allows the garden to draw attention.
When designing, keep in mind that the objects should be comparable to the size of the site. Do not overload it with large-scale structures. Paths, swings, benches, terraces are built with a preference for lightweight materials. As a decor it is better to use hedges and shrubs. Deaf fences should be abandoned, it leads to a sense of isolation.
It is good to apply the techniques of a wild and neglected garden on a small plot. It is precisely the techniques, not the riot of weeds themselves.
An abundance of empty spaces looks bad on small plots, but oversaturation is unacceptable, everything must be planted and built harmoniously.
Choosing vegetation for the garden, you should take into account its growth, so it is preferable to plant low-growing trees and small shrubs. Climbing plants do not take up much space, they are good at mastering the vertical space, masking walls and fences. You should choose hardy plants, then after the winter there will not be voids.
In the center of the plot it is better to place a fresh green lawn, surrounding it with an array of plants. If you plant conifers (juniper, yew), they will make the garden attractive even in winter. Shrubs should be diluted with flower beds of bright colors.
Flowerbeds can also be placed at the entrance to the house. If you make them different sizes, they visually create volume. Take into account the seasonality of plants, they should bloom from early spring to late fall, replacing each other.
Expand the space contribute to smooth lines, such as on the winding paths. The same problem is solved by compositions of flowers, scattered between trees and buildings. Directing the paths to the bushes, you can create the effect of infinity of space.
Decorative elements in the form of streams, a small pond, waterfall or figures of fairies decorate the site well. On gazebos, cabins, houses, you can hang vases with flowers and arrange the stone and wooden compositions, the irregularity and randomness will create additional volume.
On the walls of the house and in secluded places it is better to plant large bright flowers, this visually goes beyond the boundaries of the plot.
Choosing a style
What style to prefer, depends on the taste of the owner.
- Regular style likes order in everything. The lines into which the flower beds are divided should be symmetrical straight paths, all the shapes of the beds are geometrically correct and correlate with the size of the plot. Lawns and shrubs are sure to be neatly trimmed.
- The natural style gives a wider scope for imagination. Here everything can be uneven and streamlined. No straight lines and clear geometry. You can beat the natural relief and create different themed zones.
- Mini garden in the Japanese style. Its principle – a large in a small. In a tiny space are planted miniature trees, resembling the age-old giants, a small pond, imitating the sea, surrounded by rocks. Pagodas, bridges and Japanese lanterns are appropriate in such a garden. Perennial evergreens are chosen because the Japanese garden symbolizes eternity.
Quiet zone
A seating area should be taken care of. In a small garden looks great a small terrace, on which you can dine outdoors. The composition of the garden should be built so that all the surrounding space is pleasing to the eye.
It is good to organize a recreation area in the form of a small courtyard. A table with a bench and a small swing are appropriate here. Nearby you can place a pond with a bridge or waterfall. In this place feels the integrity of nature.
Vertical composition
A small garden lacks horizontal surfaces. The problem is solved simply – you need to master the vertical. In this garden will help stone compositions – alpine hills. It is better to place them in the far corner, so you can appreciate the overall view of the garden.
For vertical compositions, multi-level beds, beds of tires and plants will be suitable. Arches, fences, garden trellises, the walls of arbors are filled with greenery.
Well master the height of wild plants: wild grapes, ivy, hops, clematis.
When planting, consider the condition of the soil, shade and other factors.
With the help of a climbing rose, you can decorate the arch above the bench in the recreation area and, continuing the theme, arrange the provided compositions with roses in containers.
In small areas it is good to use plants in flower pots. They consist of various multi-stage compositions, which can be changed over and over again as desired. Vases with flowers can be hung on the walls of the house, under the ceiling of the veranda, on the terrace. In such pots feel comfortable uterine plants, begonia, petunia, fuchsia, portulaca. You can also use garden plants, planting different types of salads, sour steamed dishes or even strawberries.
Trees
Trees in the garden can match the taste of the owner, but it should be remembered that the garden takes on a lively effect through the planting of needle-like vegetation in the cold season. This does not mean that only conifers have a place in the garden. You can plant beautiful flowering trees.
For any small plot, trees that are regular, fragile, with a lush, lush crown will do. But lovers of large trees should not change their preferences. Such a tree can be placed right in the center of the plot and build the entire landscape design, starting with this beautiful giant. The resting area on the trunk is shrouded in dense shade even on the hottest day. With such a strong accent, the entire small garden looks solid. If you rest in the shade, you can admire the circular layout of the entire garden.
Garden pathway
When creating paths you can use any material, both modern and self-evident (stones, sand, tree cuts). But for a small plot, how these paths are arranged in the garden is very important. Different paths curve the room and run longer, the path is longer, and it makes the garden seem larger.
Where the location is clearly visible, cross paths should be created, and longitudinal paths should loop between beds and flower pots to create the illusion of a larger space. Paths leading nowhere look mysterious. Dense greenery should be guided to achieve this effect.
Water
To make sure that a small garden that has gone crooked because of the walk does not have the opportunity to fix it completely, it is necessary to think about distracting elements. Every water surface does a good job of this. It mesmerizes, it captivates, it’s always nice to reflect in it. Such a body of water takes up little space, and the benefits are obvious.
You can imagine a small pond on two levels, separated by a bridge, or a mini pond. As for the water space, it is better to sow it with dampening vegetation and lay out with small pebbles (in large stones the pond seems even smaller).
With the help of small tricks in the representation of man, an insignificant area can be made large and important, on which you can walk for a long time, look a lot and discover something new every time. This is the art of designing a mini garden.
In the following video you will learn how to properly plan a small area.
