Small garden ideas to try now

Like a boutique bar or that gorgeous little taverna you fell in love with on holiday, you really don’t need acres of garden to create an inviting outdoor living space. Best of all, small garden design is a relatively quick project, a place you could transform in a weekend. Looking for garden ideas for a small garden? Start with: 

Furniture Choose armchairs with side tables to get the most flexibility for dining, entertaining and lounging without dominating in the way larger pieces can. 

‘Look for slimline seating that won’t take up too much of your valuable outdoor space and think about how you will store it when it's not in use,’ advises Polly Edler, Partner & Category Design Lead. ‘Folding or stacking items are always good,’ she adds.

Paint walls and fences to create a seamless boundary. Dark grey, green and black make dramatically stylish backgrounds for bright furniture and vibrant planting in a suntrap. A cooler, darker space may need a paler, warmer tone to see off any chill.

Think texture and height Go high with planting and climbers to create natural privacy. This has the potential to add scent in summer if you choose fragrant plants such as honeysuckle or jasmine.

Looking for small garden ideas on a budget? Outdoor plant pots come into their own here – you can move them around so the best are always at the forefront and look for sculptural shapes or mini trees that build on your theme.

Herbs don’t take up much room and are full of texture and fragrance, great for summer dining – so much nicer to be able to grab a handful fresh herbs as and when you need it. 

Tactically place outdoor mirrors and choose garden furniture sets with reflective glass tabletops to help make a small garden appear bigger.

Finally, add some outdoor lights and a water feature to create a sensory, modern small garden packed with ideas. Then settle back into your own little patch of paradise.