Small gardens can be beautiful and spacious if they’re set up in a way that best optimizes the space available. Just because you may not have a large luxurious garden, doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of ways to make it into your own little outdoor haven. There are lots of perks to having a smaller home and garden, including easier maintenance and the ability to make a big difference with minor changes that may get lost in a larger space.
The best way to make the most of a small garden is to carefully think through the pieces you will add, from furniture to plants and beyond.
1. Multi-use furniture
Furniture takes up a lot of space, so it’s worth looking into options that can serve multiple purposes. Instead of a generic large table and chair set, try going for some more versatile options. For example, you could opt for a day bed that doubles as a bench, or a table that folds away and becomes storage or a smaller surface to place plant pots on. Beanbags are another great option as they don’t have to permanently take up a certain space and can be used for laying down and sitting. They can be placed pretty much anywhere and will give you garden a comfy, laid back feel. The upside of a smaller space is that you need less furniture to fill it, so it should be a lot more cost-effective than a larger outdoor space would be.
2. Plant placement
There are a few ways you can use the placement of your plants to dramatically improve the look and feel of your garden. While you may not be able to fit every plant, herb, flower, and vegetable into your pots, you have more space for greenery than you may think. First, look at the plants that may be coming into your garden from your neighbors. If you plant more in the same area on your side of the fence, it will give the illusion that your neighbor’s plants are part of your garden too.
On the topic of walls and fences, use them as much as you can! Hanging and climbing plants are a popular choice for walls, but you can attach just about any plant you’d like to achieve a garden that’s full of life. You should also aim to use your bigger pots as features in your garden. When doing this, make sure they won’t be in the way should you want to make further changes as moving large pots can be a difficult task. Certain green plants are a great choice for feature pots as they can provide year-round life for your garden.
3. Lighting
Another way to turn your small space into an outdoor haven is by adding lights. This small change can do wonders for the atmosphere of your garden, especially at night. They also add some depth to the space, making it appear slightly larger. From fairy lights that can drape from trees, plants, and walls, to solar stake lights that illuminate your garden from below, there are plenty of options to choose from based on your personal aesthetic. You can jazz things up even more with some remote controlled color changing lights, which can switch easily between color options in one click, allowing you to choose based on your daily preference and mood.
Conclusion
Transforming a small garden or outdoor space can be a very daunting task to take on, but the key is to think everything through. Even if you have considered everything, you still may need to practice some trial and error until you find the perfect layout. At the end of the day, though, great things come in small packages, and small gardens are no exception.
