Do you have a small garden but don’t know how to make the most of it? Don’t worry. You’re not alone. Many people find themselves in this situation, and it can be tricky to come up with ideas that fit your space and style. We’ve put together a list of 25 modern small garden ideas to help you get started!
These ideas are perfect for anyone who wants to maximize their space and create a beautiful garden oasis. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
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How to Design a Small Garden | Modern Small Garden Ideas
Designing a small garden has some challenges, but it can be really fun and practical to achieve. Also, by doing it yourself, you save money for design experts who sometimes can’t visualize how you would want your garden to be.
I admit I hired a professional garden decorator the first time my family moved into our new home. It was nice, but I wanted to improve on it after a year, and getting professional advice again would be impractical for me. I’d rather spend the money on family holidays and vacations. I went on the internet for ideas to design a garden in my small backyard patio. Luckily, there are a lot of garden ideas online for just about any garden and gardener’s personality.
Find out how you could design a small garden to suit your needs and (reasonable) wants. Then, make a big impression on your garden with these helpful design tips and small garden ideas.
Survey Your Space
The first thing is to study your existing space and determine what you want to be done. Then, imagine what you would want your garden to look like.
Is it a sanctuary where you and your family can relax? Is it a work of art for your friends and family to appreciate?
Do you want to keep it simple, or do you want an outrageous garden despite the size? Knowing the limits and possibilities of your space will help in maximizing it.
Do Research on Small Garden Ideas
Research is important before undertaking a project to avoid unnecessary spending and effort. There are great small garden ideas online, and in this article, it’s a waste to miss them.
Do you want to keep a patch of green somehow despite the limited space? Or be extra ambitious and create a cottage-like garden in your urban home?
Looking for ideas online will help you determine what you want for your garden.
Small Garden Layout and Planning
It’s ideal to have your plans and ideas in writing or in a drawing to help you picture how your garden would look. However, you don’t need to be an artist to lay your plans out for your garden.
Cutting out pictures and pasting them on your layout plan can be more fun, or using computer software lets you create a visual sketch.
Small Garden Ideas and Plant Tips
Growing plants in a small garden will have its limits. So it’s important to know what to plant in your garden and how to plant them.
Plant Layout for a Small Garden
Whatever your plant choices are, it would be best to create a layout plan for your plants. With the plant ideas I have here for you, you will be able to determine where to place the plants.
1. Edible Landscaping
Vegetables don’t always have to be in the background. They’re worth planting in your small front yard garden too.
You can grow edible ornamental plants in your front yard with careful planning and layout and still have curb appeal.
2. Big and Bold Plants
While large plants are usually not advised in small gardens, some people prefer them for shade. You can grow climbing plants over arbors for this purpose.
Flowering vines over archways have that certain touch of enchantment that beautifies the area.
3. Prim and Proper Plants
More modern garden designs deal with low-maintenance plants and gardens. For example, Cactus and succulents are perfect for rock gardens and ideal for small spaces.
4. Elegant and Slim Plants
Tall and petite plants in equally tall and slim containers along the wall emphasize the vertical space of a garden instead of the limited area. Take it from tall bamboos planted along walls creating the same effect.
Small Garden Ideas and Design Principles
These are great design tips and gardening hacks courtesy of Lowes, which are very helpful. Taking notes on these ideas will help you maximize and beautify your small space garden.
1. Form a Focal Point
Creating a focal point in a small garden boosts its appearance. A focal point may be a water feature, a statue, or artistic planters.
Make sure your focal point does not suffocate your small space. It must be proportionate to your space.
2. Make Use of Bold Colors
With a limited garden space, going with the usual light colors will surely make your garden as dull as it is small.
If you can’t have eye-popping colors in your plants, then paint your walls bright red or orange. The latest garden design trends promote bright and bold colors in a garden.
3. Create Space in Containers
Containers are your go-to guys when maximizing space for a small garden. However, something about grouping planters in threes helps emphasize the plants.
RELATED: 11 Creative Vertical Gardening Ideas for a Unique Backyard
4. Make Use of Bare Walls
Walls are a great medium or space for gardening. This area can host plants and spruce up its bareness, depending on the material.
You can directly plant moss, succulents, and lichens if it’s concrete or rocks. For wooden walls, you can mount planters on the surface.
5. Level Up
Creating different levels in your small space garden creates sections that help create an illusion of space. It also makes your garden more interesting when the eyes can rest on different levels.
6. Plant Vertically
As I’ve previously expressed, if you cannot go around, go up. There’s much space going up, and there are a lot of great plants that grow best vertically.
You can also grow herbs by hanging them on the side of your porch or garage.
7. Thin Down
If you want a tree in your small garden, then make sure to trim them down, so they don’t block some much-needed spaces. You can also grow plants that are thin, like grasses and bamboo.
8. Use Concealed Spaces
Every nook and cranny of a small yard or anywhere around your home shouldn’t be ignored. Take advantage of those spaces and put this design principle into action.
9. Create Space in Garden Lighting
Garden lights kill the shadow, which blocks the spaces in small gardens. By putting up garden lights, you create the illusion of space by creating continuity.
10. Grow in Trellises
You can also maximize your space and create a garden in limited space by growing climbing plants on trellises. This is also parallel to the principle of growing plants vertically in small spaces.
11. Maximize space
Use garden furniture which doubles up as containers or as extra storage space. Find uses for every space around your small garden without overstuffing it.
It’s a great idea to mix storage and style by putting up a bench where you can also store gardening tools and other garden materials. Put several hanging plants in the area, and you have a wonderful mini garden extension of your home.
12. Use Raised Beds
You can grow vegetables even in small gardens with raised beds. But raised beds aren’t only for vegetables. You can also maximize space in your garden by growing an edible landscape in raised beds.
13. Use Light Garden Furniture
Logically, big and bulky structures in a small garden won’t do. Petite wrought iron garden furniture or garden benches would be ideal.
14. Create Opposing Structures
A pathway or a platform breaks the monotony in a patch of green in a small garden. A solid structure against a space of soft plants and grass gives the eye of the observer something to rest on.
15. Create an Illusion of Space
Using wavy lines and curved structures creates an effect of continuity in contrast to the finality of straight lines. You can also find ways to reflect your space to create an illusion of space, like a water feature or glass structures.
16. Make Use of Fence Space
Does your fence look boring and not getting any attention? Capitalize on that fence space by transforming it into a container garden.
Spend a couple of days giving your fence some makeover, and you’ll be surprised how alluring and satisfying it will turn out!
17. Old Mailbox to Outdoor Planter
There must be an unused old mailbox somewhere on your property. This idea barely takes up outdoor space but still makes a beautiful addition to your small garden.
Convert that vintage mailbox into a planter and flaunt it where the color perfectly complements the wall.
18. Decorate Your Small Patio
A patio looks dull and empty with only chairs and a center table. Make it comfy and inviting by essentially positioning planters at the corners and on the walls.
Some string lights will also give your patio the elegance it deserves where you can enjoy family gatherings and dinners.
19. Small Water Fountain
Fountains are a fine addition to any landscape. There are many options you can choose from to add an element of attraction to your garden.
Just make sure to utilize the vertical space for a small garden type. Water and plants symbolize life, creating a wonderful place to spend other people’s company.
20. Planting on a Tree Stump
Be delighted if you find a tree stump in your yard. Tree stumps are among the most beautiful natural planters to cultivate plants.
Its vertical structure is great for small gardens. Turn it into the center of attraction by filling it with flowers of different colors.
21. Vertical Pallet Flower Stand
Do you have a little corner space to place a wooden pallet? Apply paint on the pallet and place it where you want to show some vibrancy in the area.
Display colorful flowers, then change them out to match the season. The vertical position of the pallet is perfect for your small garden space.
22. Flowers on Windows
Contemplating using your windows for planting purposes? Use your windows to plant flowers and make a herb garden.
This approach may even be more amazing than blooms with planters on the ground. Your home exterior will look stunning as the plant blossoms provide instant curb appeal.
23. Ladder Garden
you can convert a wooden ladder into a beautiful flower stand. You need a can of paint and a few boards to get it done.
This space-saving small garden alternative shows off those pretty blooms in different pots and planters. In addition, this vertical planter will free up floor space you can use for other purposes.
If you’ve got limited space around, then go up! Learn how to make a DIY vertical garden for your small space garden in this video from The Home Depot:
Small garden ideas are not exclusively for those living in the city or those with small spaces to spare for a garden. For example, you may have a wide area to plant a forest full of plants, but your home has some neglected corners and crannies.
It’s a waste to ignore those areas when you have these ideas to boost those spaces. It doesn’t do to plant randomly in those areas. You can spruce up those small spaces smartly and beautifully with these small garden ideas.
Were these small garden ideas helpful to your project? How are your own small garden design plans going so far? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment in the box below.
Are you looking for more garden design ideas? These herb garden ideas could work well for your small space garden.
