DESIGN solutions
Use these clever designer tricks to make a small garden look and feel MORE SPACIOUS
Small garden SPECIAL
With a petite patch, choose bold lines and a few large statements, ditch any clutter that will crowd the space and opt for a pared-down colour palette in your planting
We all wish our gardens were a little bit bigger, and you can achieve the dream without moving your fence! How? There are plenty of tried and tested designer tricks to fool the eye into thinking a plot is larger than it is. From disguising overbearing boundaries to introducing space-stretching circles and diagonals, creative planting and clever zoning, these visual illusions are part of a garden designer’s toolbox to ensure the client feels they’re getting a great return on their five-figure investment. But many are perfectly possible to do yourself and will make a dramatic difference to how your outside space looks and feels. Which will you choose?
CLOAK WALLS WITH A TAPESTRY OF TEXTURES
Love the cosy intimate feel of this courtyard? Much of its charm lies in its tactile walls, and it’s such a simple trick to pinch for your own plot. Woven willow panels replace boring brickwork or timber fencing, and fragrant evergreen climber star jasmine brings depth, beauty and year-round interest. Designed by Nicola Hale (landformconsultants.co.uk) for The Landform Mental Wealth Garden at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival 2023, it’s a winning combination that will work with any bijou plot.
INTRIGUE WITH IMAGINATIVE DIVIDERS
Partitioning parts of a garden creates a feeling of intrigue, but this ingenious design by Adolfo Harrison (adolfoharrison.com) accelerates the idea to the next level. Hand-painted steel screens are partly infilled with mirrors and metal mesh, while other sections have been left open, creating an abstract mix of reflections and peepholes. The effect stretches the feeling of space, resulting in surprising views of plants and features and an ever-changing canvas. “The idea was to continue the Crittall-style windows and internal rhythm of the house into the garden,” says Adolfo. “A small space, surrounded by tall buildings, it was essential to keep the gaze low and slow down the view of the garden, without blocking sight lines completely.” A moon gate adds another dimension, encouraging visitors to step through and explore, while abundant foliage beds in the frames.
CLAIM YOUR VERTICAL SPACE
Your garden’s footprint may be small but the sky’s the limit when it comes to maximising your outdoor space! Framing the area above your plot claims it as part of the garden, and also guides the eye upwards to distract from boxy boundaries.
We love this space-smart solution by The Garden Builders (gardenbuilders.
