The general rule is you have a small garden if the area is smaller than the footprint of your house. I myself have a small garden; this can be great as it is much easier to maintain and doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of it. When planning the overall design there are a few things to take into consideration, especially if space is tight.
Light is so important and it can make the biggest difference to a smaller garden. Find out where your natural light source is and watch the way the sun moves across your garden. You should see where your shady spaces are and where you can get the most sun and work with these factors to create a warm, open and enjoyable garden.
Planting
Trees can make small gardens shady and cold. That’s not to say that you can’t plant them, as trees are great for creating boundaries and privacy, but the best place for them is in the corners of the gardens or along the back fence. This leaves the midsection and the section closest to the house open to more sunlight.
If you are picking trees for a smaller plot I would suggest an Acer or Sycamore as they allow more light through their leaves. They create a dappled shade rather than blocking out the sun completely, this leaves the garden feeling roomier.
Outdoor Lights
If your back garden doesn’t get much natural light you can create your own. Outdoor lights are a great way to illuminate your garden. Popular options are border lights; they stick into the ground and best used to mark a path or a flower bed. These are fantastic for framing a particular area of the garden.
I myself am particularly fond of adding a little sparkle to my trees. Outdoor fairy lights are a great choice if you want to give your garden a magical feel; they are especially beautiful just around dusk.
Garden Mirrors
My last tip for creating light in a smaller garden is great for two reasons. Adding mirrors to a garden is a great way to create the illusion of more space and to reflect the light you do get. Placing mirrors strategically can help reflect the light even into the darkest corners. Find where your natural light source hits and place a mirror in that area. Or place one near your border or tree lights and watch as the light they give multiplies.
Keep an eye out for more top tips for smaller gardens coming your way.
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Sally works in the Marketing team here at Primrose.
She spends most of her spare time looking into the latest developments in social media. Sally loves travel and wants to step foot in every continent in the world. When not travelling the Globe or working, she likes to relax with a bit of DIY.
She is a novice gardener and doesn’t claim to be an expert, anything she learns she will happily pass on.