Clever Small Garden Renovation Ideas To Maximise Space
Having a small garden does not mean you are limited in design, as there are many ways you can makeover even the tiniest landscape to make a big impact. Small gardens may be more difficult to plan and organise, but this does not mean you need to continue struggling with a misused space.
At Health Landscapes & Garden Design, we specialise in transforming outdoor spaces. Over the years, we have worked with all kinds of landscapes, including small gardens, and understand what it takes to create a renovation you can be proud of.
In this post, we are sharing some of the best small garden renovation ideas to get you inspired and help you see what can be done with even the tiniest environment.
First Step In Renovation: Assessing Your Space
Before you can implement your small garden renovation, you need to understand what you’re working with.
This is why all of our garden design projects begin with a site consultation, where our experts assess your landscape and learn more about your ideas. Evaluating your space is the essential first step, as it determines what kind of changes are possible and whether your intended renovation will be successful.
Although your garden is small, other areas need to be assessed ahead of your upcoming renovation, including:
- Sunlight Exposure Patterns: How much sunlight your garden gets, and locating the main shade spots, is essential ahead of planting and landscaping, as it influences what kind of features will thrive in your landscape
- Soil Condition and Drainage: Your soil needs to be healthy to support the growth of plants, flowers, and even turf. Drainage will determine whether your garden floods and how much preparation is needed ahead of installations such as paving
- Layout and Shape: The organic shape of your landscape can influence the placement of future features, garden furniture and planting beds
- Access Points: While you are trying to create a new, attractive garden, it also needs to remain functional and accessible. Noting the main access points prevents them from being blocked during the renovation
With the assessment done and a clearer understanding of your landscape established, it is time to begin your small garden renovation.
Small Garden Design Principle To Inform Your Renovation
While each garden is unique, there are specific design principles that can enhance small spaces and will make the foundation of your small garden renovation. These are clever approaches to garden design that can give the impression that your garden is bigger, giving you more space to be creative with the design details:
Vertical Spaces
Vertical spaces are a great thing to include in your small garden renovation as they draw the eye upwards, creating the illusion of height and therefore giving the impression that your garden is bigger than it truly is.
Vertical planting is a popular way to incorporate this, such as using tall or climbing plants, but vertical features come in various forms. Garden structures such as pergolas, tall fences and trellises can also be installed across your small garden to draw the eyes upwards and away from the small dimensions of the ground.
Zoning
Creating separate zones in the garden is a common design trick for all kinds of spaces, but is particularly useful during a small garden renovation as it keeps the space functional and organised.
When you are limited in space, the last thing you want to do is overwhelm the garden with features, furniture and plants. Creating zones, such as a patio, lawn area, and deck, allows you to have a multi-functional garden without the clutter and poor design.
A combination of soft and hard landscaping is ideal for garden zoning, and at Heath Landscapes & Garden Design, we offer a range of materials to align with all needs.
Play With Light
Illusion is a wonderful tool for your small garden renovation, as you want to create the impression that your landscape is bigger than it is. This makes the garden seem more inviting and comfortable, and can be done in a range of ways.
As well as vertical features, you can create this illusion by playing with light. Reflective design elements, such as garden mirrors or water features, can capture sunlight, bring more exposure to the garden and create the illusion of a bigger space.
Simple Design
Finally, with all of these efforts to make your garden seem bigger, the last thing you want to do is clutter your small garden. While it may be tempting to invest in all new furniture, decor items and plants, you want to make careful considerations across the board.
Having too many items in your small garden renovation will make the space seem cluttered and overwhelmed, essentially the opposite effect of all other design principles. Keeping things simple and making serious considerations at all stages of your small garden renovation is essential for success.
Hardscaping Upgrades For Your Small Garden Renovation
Hardscaping is an essential part of garden design, offering both style and practicality to outdoor spaces. Hardscaping refers to all the hard-wearing surfaces and installations across your outdoor space, and can come in many forms based on your requirements.
These installations make structural changes to the garden and are often the main bulk of a small garden renovation in terms of work and budget. You can restructure your small garden through the following:
- Compact Patios And Decks: Based on the size of your garden and how much you want to dedicate to hardscaping, you can create beautiful zones for entertaining, outdoor dining, and relaxing with patios and decks. These are bespoke and installed to tailor to the specific layout of your garden, and can be used to make the most out of uneven terrains, odd angles and sharp corners
- Curved or Stepping Stone Pathways: Instead of investing in a solid, direct pathway throughout your garden, stepping stones or curved hardscaping can be a great addition to your small garden renovation. These still provide access throughout the garden, but take up less room and can work with the organic shape of your small garden.
- Light Paving: It is a good idea to consider hardscaping in light, neutral colours as these attract more sunlight and create the illusion of more space. Brightening up the garden with light coloured patios, paving, and accessories is ideal for small garden renovations
- Raised Planters: As we have mentioned, height is a vital part of any small garden renovation, and this can be incorporated in your hardscaping installations. Raised planters made from light coloured concrete and natural stone allow you to work with the contours of your garden, include a range of flowers and plants, while also drawing the eyes upwards
Smart Planting Ideas For Small Gardens
With the structural elements of your small garden renovation in place, it is time to add colour, texture and movement with plants.
No garden is complete without these natural elements, and there are plenty of clever ways you can incorporate planting to enhance your small garden throughout the seasons, such as:
- Layered Planting: Using your raised planters or in flower beds, plant tall species, climbing flowers and grasses at the back with the smaller options in front. These displays can be as detailed or as simple as your desire, as long as you focus on layers. With a combination of plant types, you can add interest, texture and height to the garden
- Climbers and Wall Plants: With vertical planting and hanging baskets, you can add a range of colour and scent to the garden without wasting floor space. Consider bright fuchsias and petunias for hanging baskets to add a pop of colour to your space
- Containers and Pots: Planting flowers and grasses in pots not only saves space and effort, as they are generally easier to maintain, but flexibility. Flexibility is ideal in a small garden renovation as it allows you to adjust the space however you see fit. Plant pots can be moved around to create unique displays and corners of interest.
- Herb Gardens and Dwarf-Fruit Trees: Create a multi-functional small garden with edible plants. Herb gardens can be a small, contained area, offering scent and flavour that can complement all meals at home. Dwarf-fruit trees, such as pears, figs and cherry trees, can be a constant focal point in your small garden that provides edible fruit and colour without taking up too much room
Compact Storage Solutions For Outdoor Spaces
Storage is an ideal tool for small spaces, including a small garden renovation. Whether you have a lot of gardening tools or need a secure space for soft furnishings during the wet weather, there are some clever ways to keep your small garden organised:
- Bench Storage: Garden benches which open up to reveal box storage are multi-purpose and a great investment for your small garden
- Vertical Shelving: Make use of your fencing or existing garden structures by installing fences vertically
- Streamlined Sheds: If you have the space available, a small garden shed is a great way to protect all your tools and decor, and does not have to take up as much room as you think
Conclusion
A small garden renovation to create an environment that is attractive, fun, and practical no matter its size. There are various ways you can maximise the space in your garden and create the illusion of more room through design details such as hardscaping, clever planting plans, and reflective decor.
Heath Landscapes & Garden Design are a local landscaping company that offers a comprehensive garden design service. We can work with gardens of all sizes and conditions, creating the outdoor space you have always dreamed of.
Contact Us Today
To learn more about our services or to request a consultation, reach out to the team today.
