Small Garden Design Ideas
Creating an interesting and well-balanced small garden is an exciting challenge. After all, you’ll want it to have features but not be overly complex and cramped. Rest assured, careful landscape design will reward you with impressive results. A good garden design will maximise the sense of space while providing points of interest. In fact, there are plenty of cool design elements to include in a small back yard design. So, before you begin your plan, let’s have a look at some hints, tips and landscape design secrets to make the most from your small yard space.
Design Elements For a Small Garden
A couple of tricks garden designers use in small spaces seem counter-intuitive. First, consider creating full, deep garden borders. Rather than closing the space in, this will ‘push’ the fence line further away. Secondly, adding an over-large water feature, such as a stone water bowl, will draw attention and again help create the illusion of more space. Lastly, for the base, use large, crisp and clean pavers. These provide a strong foundation and a sense of space. Ultimately, any of these additions are easily achieved by keen DIY landscapers.
What Kind of Landscape Design Works Best in a Small Space?
Try to keep your design free-flowing and open. As such, avoid rigid lines and formal hedges. So, soften borders and edges with varied planting, gravel and ground cover plants. Adding contrasting foliage creates interest and depth. Also, try adding a water feature. A simple pond or stone water feature will add intrigue and an added dimension to a small garden. Furthermore, create interest and flow by adding curved pathways and borders. The idea is to blur the perception of space and to ultimately lose the boundaries.
The Best Small Garden Plants
Create a full and varied display by planting in layers. So, here’s a small list of the best plants for a small back yard:
- Lilly Pilly
- Japanese Maples
- Murrayas
- Camelias
- Liriopes
- Azaleas
- Baby’s Tears
- Grasses
- Ajuga
- Mondo Grass
- Herbs
