10 Practical Tips for Making the Most of Your Small Garden

Choose a Bistro-Style Table for Versatile Seating

A compact bistro table, reminiscent of cosy Parisian cafes, offers flexible seating for two. It’s perfect for alfresco dining or simply enjoying a morning coffee. The chairs can easily be moved or folded away, freeing up space when you want to use the table for potting plants or other garden tasks.

Add a Water Feature for Calm and Wildlife

A water feature brings soothing sounds, movement, and attracts birds and other wildlife to your garden. This can be anything from a simple trickling fountain to a sleek waterfall wall. Use wide, shallow pots or old zinc containers, sealing drainage holes to retain water. Remember to provide a way for wildlife to climb out safely.

Re-Wild Your Garden to Encourage Wildlife

Turn your garden into a mini urban jungle by inviting wildlife in. Food, water and shelter are key – choose hedges instead of fences, add bird feeders, bug hotels, and leave seed heads and fading stems to support local insects and birds.

Fill Your Garden with Fragrance

Scented plants have a magical way of transporting us to a peaceful escape. Plan your garden with seasonal fragrant plants. Place pots near doors, grow herbs on your table, and use cracks in patios for plants like thyme that release scent when stepped on.

Opt for Neat, Multi-Use Seating

Make every seat count by choosing multi-use benches or integrating seating into garden architecture. If you compost, consider a bench with storage underneath for your bin, keeping your garden tidy and functional.

Use Mirrors to Create the Illusion of Space

Mirrors are a clever, age-old garden design trick to make small spaces feel bigger and brighter. Position mirrors to reflect light and highlight your garden’s best features. Soften the edges with climbing plants or opt for a slightly weathered finish.

Embrace Shade with Suitable Plants

If your garden is overshadowed by buildings, don’t despair. Shade-tolerant plants like ferns, foxgloves and forget-me-nots flourish in lower light. Boost their growth with nutrient-rich soil and watch your garden thrive.

Get Creative with Planting in Small Spaces

No nook or cranny is too small! Plant compact herbs like thyme or chamomile in paving gaps. Ferns can grow in shady wall cracks, and hardy succulents add colour and interest at the base of walls.

Use Raised Garden Beds for Structure and Bloom

Raised beds along boundary walls provide an excellent backdrop of flowers and greenery. Place your bistro table beside one for dining surrounded by blooms. For long, narrow gardens, a central raised bed can break up the space and add character.

Zone Your Garden with Plants and Paving

Create distinct areas within your garden by using planters filled with clipped lavender or different paving materials. This helps separate dining, relaxing and planting zones, making your small garden feel more spacious and organised.