How to Make Your Small Garden Appear Larger

If you have a smaller sized garden, it can easily feel cluttered and untidy if the space is not utilised carefully. This may put you off gardening and spending time on maintenance, but even the smallest space can become a sanctuary of beauty and relaxation if approached correctly.

Divide into Zones

Creating zones within your garden will help to separate the different areas and make it feel larger overall. Having different areas for seating, planting, storage, etc., will create the illusion of more space rather than having everything clumped together in a cluttered manner.

You can separate the zones in your garden in creative ways by dividing with trellises covered in beautiful, coloured plants, sectioning off areas with stunning flower beds, or adding features such as a raised decking area.

Disguise Boundaries

The fences and boundaries around our garden area can serve to make it feel more enclosed, especially in a small space. Blurring the boundaries with bushes or climbing plants can be a great way to trick the eye into believing the space is larger than it actually is.

Incorporating plants in a variety of heights and textures around the edges of your garden will disguise any harsh boundaries and create a softer, more visually appealing aesthetic. Just be sure to keep them well-watered and pruned to avoid a messy, overgrown look.

Incorporate Brightly Coloured Plants

Adding vibrant, brightly coloured plants to your garden is a great way to spruce up any otherwise dull areas. Dark colours can look great in moderation, but too much of it will leave your garden feeling more enclosed.

Plant flowers in light tones such as oranges, pinks, and yellows around the area to add a splash of colour to your greenery. However, you can have too much of a good thing so be careful not to overcrowd with colourful plants as this could actually achieve the opposite effect to what you desire.

Avoid Large Furniture

Large furniture sets can be great for adding depth in a larger garden, but in a small area it is best to opt for more practical sized pieces to avoid compromising space. Fold-up metal furniture is a great option as it is available whenever needed but can easily be packed away to allow room for other activities.

The same goes for statement features in your garden. If you are a fan of the more decorative, ornamental aesthetic, try going for smaller items or ones that can be hung on walls and fences rather than taking up lots of precious ground space.

Use Vertical Walls and Window Boxes

Utilising spaces such as vertical walls and windowsills will give you more room on the ground in your garden for furniture, larger plants, and activities. Too many pots lying around a garden can make it feel cluttered and untidy, so it is important to get creative and make use of other spaces.

Not only will using these vertical spaces free up more room, but it will also add dimension and help to disguise any plain, unsightly walls. Not to mention, pollinators such as bees and butterflies will love it!

Illuminate with Outdoor Lighting

Smaller, more compact areas often feel less well-lit than a larger space would. Installing outdoor lighting will ensure that the light hits all areas that you want it to, and can serve to draw attention to focal points of your garden.

For a stunning decorative feel, opt for strings of twinkling solar powered fairy lights strung along fences and trellises along with wall and path lights. This is sure to be a hit when entertaining guests on those warm summer evenings!

Add Reflective Surfaces

Mirrors and other reflective surfaces can be implemented as a clever trick to make a small garden appear more expansive. By strategically placing mirrors along walls and fences, you can use the art of reflection to trick the eye into extending the space.

Reflective surfaces such as water features, glass ornaments, or polished metal accents will also enhance the sense of space. They will catch and reflect the light to make even the most enclosed garden space feel more open and airy.

Create Focal Points

Establishing focal points within your garden will draw the eye to certain areas and create the illusion of a larger space. Features such as a stunning sculpture, a small fountain, or a flower bed filled with vibrant colours will create visual interest and a sense of purpose.

This technique will prevent the space from feeling cluttered and strategically help you gain perspective on the area. It is especially effective in narrow gardens, and a well-placed focal point will make the space feel more organised and inviting.

Final Thoughts

When crafting a well-designed garden, how much space you have is not the main concern – it is how you use it. Creating a spacious feel in a small garden is all about making smart choices and using clever tricks and techniques to transform the space into a stunning open retreat.