Not everyone is blessed with an abundance of outside space. While it is great to have a green landscape that is all yours around your home, you can do so many things with small gardens and spaces if you don’t have a huge outside space.
When it comes to making the most of what you have got, using your creativity is vital to maximise the space and create an outdoor oasis perfect for you. It’s not about the size of the space you have; it is what you do with it.
If you are looking for some fun ways to spruce up your garden or outside space, then we have some great options for you to choose from.
Different Levels
One way to add extra dimensions to a small space is to introduce different levels to your garden. Think crates to stack plant pots on instead of having them all at floor level. Line them up along a fence or wall and adorn them with garden ornaments or plants. Add a small decked area for outside dining furniture if you have space to create sections to give your garden definition and break up the area. This will give you a focal point in your garden and allow you to create the perfect area to relax in before moving onto a different section.
Add Colour
Vibrant colours scream sunshine and hot weather! If you want to cheer your garden up, then look at how you decorate it. Opt for brightly colour furniture or decorative items that embody summer and create an easy way to brighten up your garden without putting too much effort into it or taking over the space you have.
Consider painting fences or walls to tie your colour theme together. Opt for abstract colours to create a fun, quirky vibe. Or go for a theme that flows across your garden, and for a more sophisticated feel, think whites and blues for a classic Mediterranean look, browns and green create a claiming natural feel in gardens or choose a modern grey, black and white style for an on-trend look.
Plants
Another way to add colour is to fill it with flowers. Brightly coloured flowers in a flower bed or pots can instantly attract any outdoor space. How about utilizing a wall planter if you are tight on space! Think vertical when it comes to being clever with your space and decorate up as well as along the floor! Make sure you take care to plant them correctly and at the appropriate time during the year.
Plants require a lot of care to keep them thriving and looking at their best all year round. Take care to deadhead flowers and remove and leaves or debris so as not to damage them. If you have a lot of plants in your garden, look at installing an irrigation system that provides the right amount of water needed.
Vegetable Patch
Growing in popularity, growing your own fruit and veg has become popular since the start of the covid pandemic. You can even create a vegetable patch in the smallest of spaces. You can plant into containers or create raised bedding on paved or concrete areas to get you started. Easy options to choose for beginners are carrots, tomatoes and strawberries, along with herbs that can grow indoors on a window ledge. Once you master the easier fruit and vegetable to grow, you can move on to sourcing Mushroom dowel, zucchini or even avocado if you have the right climate to help you cultivate a wider range of produce.
A great idea is to use potted fruit trees to add to any garden space with or without a vegetable patch.
Animal Oasis
Making your garden animal friendly means keeping a low maintenance garden as wildlife is attracted to a more natural garden. Bird feeders, flowers for bees, trees for birds, nests etc., are all easy to implement in a small garden and will be a great way to preserve the ecosystem in your area.
Upcycle
There are so many items from around the house that can be upcycled and given a new lease of life for your garden. For example, worn shutters are great vertical planters that help you utilise wall or fence space for your plants. An old sink or bathtub can be repurposed as a birdbath or water feature for your garden or again as a planter.
Bicycles can be cleaned up, hung on walls and turned into decorative artworks adorned with plants. The same goes for shelving or units you aren’t using. Use your imagination to see how you can create a unique look for your garden without spending too much money.
Lighting
Lighting can instantly change the look and feel of your garden. Not just security lighting. Decorative solar lights, fairy lights etc., can all add a bit of that wow factor to your garden and help you pull your look together.
The best thing is, you can place the lights anywhere and everywhere. Solar lights will continue to shine night after night once fully recharged. Main operated lights will require additional waterproof measures to protect the wiring and plugs from water damage and the elements. A popular choice is different coloured Edison bulbs draped along with fence panels or hung from pergolas or gazebos. For a more discreet look, opt for wiring with lights in the wire and virtually invisible until lit up. Or how about choosing oversized garden lighting and lamps that not only look good during the day but provide that all-important light during the evenings too.
The thing with small gardens is that you need to add a little bit of thought and creativity to designing the space. Carefully plan using your space and priorities what you plan to use your garden for the most. This will allow you to tailor your garden to meet these needs and create a space you will love to spend time in.
*This is a collaborative post