Small garden ideas

Help make the most of a small outdoor space

Small gardens can make a big impact. With some clever planning, you can transform the most compact outdoor space into something really special. You can even make it seem like you have more space than you actually do. Let us talk you through our ideas to make your small garden a big success.

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• Start planning
• Create zones
• Build a decking area
• Store it away
• Space-saving garden furniture
• Choose a colour theme
• Vertical gardening
• Find space for a BBQ
• Get clever with plants
• Let there be light
• Grow your own

Choose a focus and start planning

When planning what you want to put in your garden, think about your favourite way to spend time in it. Once you have chosen your focus, design your space around it.

Careful, imaginative planning is key to the success of a small garden design. Start by drawing out the shape and boundaries of the plot, and then try out different designs to see what can be included, such as a patio, decking or small shed.

Create zones and add screening

Create different zones in your garden to make your space feel bigger and add interest into your design. Don’t overdo it though, two to three sections is probably enough for a small garden. Create one large focus area and then work a smaller zone into your design. This will help you to enjoy your garden from different vantage points.

Screening is a clever way to divide up your outdoor space into these zones. It can also help hide essential, but uninspiring things that you might not want in plain sight.

Build a decking area

Decking is great for a small garden and provides an ideal surface for a dining or relaxing area. It's soft underfoot compared to gravel or paving and timber decking can easily be refreshed with a lick of exterior paint. The way you lay your decking can also enhance your space. Laying deck boards lengthwise will elongate the area being decked, whereas laying them width wise, will widen it.

Store it away

Garden storage is really important in smaller gardens where space is at a premium and there are some great options, with designs especially for bikes, bins and more.

Multi-functional furniture is great to save space in a small area. You can get benches with storage underneath to tidy away garden paraphernalia or toys. In a small space use your walls and doors to add hooks and shelves to make the most of every inch you have.

Choose space-saving garden furniture

You can also use clever space saving furniture to help you optimise space. If you like dining outdoors, opt for a bistro set with foldable table and chairs or stackable armchairs. Like to entertain? Make more room for friends and family with clever furniture that tucks away, folds and stacks.

Or for something less permanent, consider a hammock, outdoor floor cushion or a portable sun lounger.

Settle on a colour theme

Create a unified look in a small space by choosing a colour scheme. Much like decorating indoors, complementary colours work well together across an outdoor space and can achieve balance.

Coordinate everything from sheds to fencing, walls to decking with exterior paints, stains and varnishes. Suitable for use on wood, metal and masonry, our range allows you to both personalise your space and protect the surfaces from the damaging effects of the weather.

Try your hand at vertical gardening

Add some height into your small garden to make the most of all available space. This could be through planting in a variety of ways, such as hanging baskets, in raised beds, or climbing up trellis. By adding interest and colour off the ground, you create more floor space for everything else.

Find space for a barbecue or grill

We all love eating and entertaining outdoors, if the weather allows. There are some great compact options of BBQs which are ideal for smaller gardens. You may find that a BBQ on wheels is handy when you want to tidy things away or you could be even more savvy with your space by going for a firepit which can also be used as a grill. Multifunctional furniture will help you to make the most of every inch.

Get clever with plants

Plants in pots are a quick and easy way to add splashes of colour without losing big areas of garden to beds and borders. Move them out of the way when you need extra space and replant with your favourite annuals to keep the colour all year long.

If you do have beds and borders, make them work harder by 'layering' the plants. This is the method of staggering plants of decreasing height with different flowering seasons to keep beds colourful for longer. Start with the tallest plant at the back and work forwards.

At the back, plant climbing plants that can grow up a trellis (or a frame if the bed doesn’t back onto a boundary). In the mid-section, plants like Mexican orange and Hydrangeas work really well. They fill up the central space and, if pruned at the end of the season, won’t grow too tall. In the space left at the front, go for low-growing plants perhaps something fragrant and spreading like thyme or camomile.

Let there be light

Light up your garden after dusk with garden lights. Wall lanterns are a simple way to illuminate your garden or eating area without taking up any floor space. They offer broad lighting coverage and our selection features both traditional and contemporary styles to suit all looks.

Alternatively, add some atmosphere and delicately light specific areas with garden string lights. Ideal for small gardens, they can create cosy, inviting spaces, when wrapped around parasols, fences, trees and more. Similarly, table lights and lanterns are portable, available as either battery or solar-powered and make a great centrepiece to outdoor dining tables.

Grow your own fruit, vegetables & salad

Having a small garden doesn’t mean you can’t grow your own fruit and veg. Herbs, strawberries and trailing varieties of tomatoes all grow well in hanging baskets and don’t take up any floor space. Or squeeze in small containers or grow bags to grow your own produce in a small space.