A garden is not only a lovely place to spend leisure time outdoors, but also a canvas on which you can express yourself. Unfortunately, not everyone is blessed by having a large area to get creative with. Even when space is at a premium, however, there's plenty you can do to make your garden an attractive and welcoming place to be. Here are some tips for making the most of whatever space you have available.
Grow Vertically
You may not have wide expanses of bare earth to play with when planning your floral displays, but for some plants, the sky's the limit. Whether you choose a climbing clematis or the equally beautiful but also productive scarlet runner bean, growing upwards can provide a dramatic effect without requiring a large footprint.
Play with Levels
As well as training plants upwards, adding a few different levels of physical height to a garden can make a smaller space appear far more interesting. Raised flowerbeds, multi-level decking, or even containers of different heights can all increase the sense of space and depth, more so than a design that's kept on the flat.
Use Containers Well
Containers can also make the best use of limited space in another way. They're far more flexible than a fixed bed, and can be moved in and out of position according to the flowering seasons of individual plants. So long as you have space elsewhere to store your containers which aren't currently in use, or to act as a nursery area for plants not yet in bloom, your main garden area can be an ever-changing display that wrings every last drop of potential from the small area.
Careful Furniture Planning
Spending time in your garden can be a pleasure with the right furniture, but if space is limited, you need to choose it wisely. Folding furniture makes a sitting or dining area flexible enough to cope with guests, while releasing valuable room for when extra seating isn't needed. Clever use of containers can again be helpful here, allowing the flexibility to create or fill space as you move your furniture about.
Water Features
A small fountain or other water feature can catch the light beautifully, whether sunlight or carefully placed electric lamps, bringing a small area to life. Even better, the gentle tinkling sound can recall memories of time spent on a riverside or by a mountain stream; just close your eyes and let your imagination take you from your small yard into the great outdoors.
Natural Cover
Depending on your garden's orientation, you may want a shady area to give comfort in the summer heat. However, a solid building in a small space will easily feel cramped. An effective solution is to use a living alternative such as a bamboo arch, or vines trailed over a natural-looking wooden framework. Both of these will provide dappled shade without being overly dominating.
Hire Professional Help
Lastly, even if you're an avid gardener, you may benefit from some expert help to make the most of a small space. Hiring a professional garden designer can give excellent results at a reasonable price. You can choose to be as deeply involved in the design process as you wish, or give the designer their head and see what surprises they come up with. Either way, you'll benefit from their skill, experience, creativity, and insight to help you nurture the garden you're dreaming of.
Having a large yard means you have the scope to experiment with your horticultural hobby, while working with a small plot requires more planning and focus. Limited space needn't limit your ambitions, however, and with a little thought, there's no reason you can't build a beautiful and relaxing garden to be proud of.
