Small Garden Design Ideas You'll Love
These 12 ideas will inspire you to breathe new life into your garden. From plants to garden furniture, we have the best ideas and styles. Check them out!
The smallest gardens are often the coziest. So much so that, no matter how small it may seem, any outdoor space can be transformed into a beautiful garden with the right design. From small flower beds with stones to tiny patios with fountains, or the well-known vertical gardens, the possibilities for designing small yet beautiful gardens are endless.
In the following lines —and images— we present a series of perfect design ideas to make the most of smaller gardens. Get inspired by the best design ideas and turn your outdoor areas into a true paradise (regardless of how small they might be).
Small garden design. Images by André Luis Rocha and Derick Mckinney on Unsplash
Decorative flower beds and pathways
Flower beds are undoubtedly one of the most typical elements of a classic garden design. And, although they are often used to structure large gardens, they can add formality and a clean, polished look to any exterior —even the smallest gardens.
A good way to incorporate these elements into a garden is by adding fountains and abundant vegetation, creating pathways to enjoy nature (no matter how small the space may be).
However, there is a major drawback to this type of garden design. Unlike other structures that leave open spaces for play or sports, gardens with flower beds tend to close off spaces, making them feel smaller and limiting their multifunctionality. For that reason, you should avoid filling the central area in your garden with flower beds, and place them around the perimeter of the space.
Small gardens with stone flooring
A very practical solution when designing a garden is to use stone flooring. Whether it’s pebbles, gravel, or fixed slabs, stone floors offer several benefits, ranging from improving soil conditions (helping to retain moisture and keep the soil temperature lower, making plant care easier) to easy maintenance.
In addition to being functional, stone floors are also highly decorative and can be combined with grassy areas, flower beds, and all kinds of design solutions. You can use these types of flooring to create pathways between grassy areas for a dynamic design.
Vertical gardens
When garden dimensions are very limited, it's essential to make the most of every square meter. Therefore, the best option is often to dedicate the existing space to entertainment, a play area, or a relaxation zone, playing with garden furniture. As a result, the usual focus on plants and vegetation may be lost, necessitating new solutions like vertical gardens.
Small garden design with green walls. Images by Govind Krishnan and Pawel Czerwinski on Unsplash
Vertical gardens allow the use of walls and surfaces to incorporate greenery, transforming any space into a true oasis.
Modern minimalist gardens
A garden’s design should largely align with the interior and exterior aesthetic of the home. If a house's architecture and decor are modern or minimalist, the garden should reflect that. In this case, the best option is to go for a design that includes industrial materials like concrete (contrasted with well-maintained grass or pebble floors), clean lines, and simple geometric shapes.
Modern small garden design. Images by Alejandra Cifre González and Cameron Smith on Unsplash
Moreover, garden furniture and accessories should reflect the same unified aesthetic. Experiment with trendy outdoor furniture, explore different colors or materials that match your home’s design.
How to design a small cactus garden
Cacti and succulents are some of the most popular plants, fitting perfectly with that minimalist aesthetic. Incorporating these species —along with other popular plants like small firs, olive trees, or even bamboo— is an excellent choice for minimalist small garden designs.
When choosing the perfect plants for your outdoors, it's important to consider the local climate and soil type. You can place plants in pots to make use of patios and paved areas. This is the perfect solution for cacti and other plants.
Rustic small garden design
In a rustic space —unlike the minimalist trend— robust natural materials stand out, from solid wood to brick, stone, and even wrought iron. These materials influence the choice of garden furniture and accessories, reflecting a sturdy, robust design.
Opt for outdoor furniture pieces in solid wood, iron or raffia, and if you want to add some softer touches, bring in outdoor cushions made from natural fibers, such as linen or cotton. In order to ensure the best longevity for these pieces, you should always protect them from the worst climate conditions. Check out our guide on how to protect your patio furniture.
Small city house gardens
Often, in urban settings, you’ll find terraced houses with small back gardens. These small gardens can be the perfect addition to an urban home, as they provide a bit of nature within the city. Therefore, they should be made the most of and enjoyed to their fullest.
These types of gardens tend to have very limited space, as they are usually enclosed by walls on three sides and directly connected to the back of the house. But, if possible, the most recommended design is to combine a patio at the back of the house with a grass area in the main space of the garden and some vegetation on the sides and the end. This way, you can create an outdoor dining or relaxation space combined with a small play and gardening area.
Small gardens with fountains
When creating a relaxing space, fountains are an unbeatable addition to any garden, as they produce the continuous sound of flowing water. Additionally, along with other features like pools or ponds, fountains can help regulate the temperature in locations with warmer climates. Without a doubt, the coolness and sounds of water will turn your outdoor space into a soothing paradise.
What about small indoor gardens?
Besides back or front gardens, it's possible to design an indoor garden or patio, around which a house is built. These spaces help provide light or ventilation to a home but may or may not be easily accessible, as they are often tiny, purely decorative areas.
Small indoor garden design. Images by Rendy Novantino and Murat Demircan on Unsplash
However, in cases where there is ample space, an indoor garden or patio can be the perfect spot for a fountain or pond, as they help cool the house during warmer periods. Moreover, indoor patios are sheltered from the wind, making them ideal for a pool.
Small front garden design
When designing a detached house —as seen in the following photos— it’s important to create a unified style for the façade and front garden, as this will be the home’s visible front. Often, the front garden is reduced to a small decorative area with little functional purpose.
Small front lawn design. Images by Jannis Lucas and Peter Jan Rijpkema on Unsplash
Make a garden out of a small patio
Ideas like vertical gardens or large planters for small trees can turn a tiny patio into a real garden. Thus, a small outdoor patio space can become a beautiful lush garden where you can enjoy summer meals and dinners. Simply include an outdoor dining area in the space, or even an exterior sofa.
Small patio design. Images by Tile Merchant Ireland and Lindsey Lamont on Unsplash
Outdoor garden design for small spaces
When designing a garden, the priority is to create an outdoor space that the residents can enjoy daily. Therefore, depending on the needs and preferences of the users, the garden design can take various forms. With the right design, anything is possible — from open spaces where children or pets can run freely to areas dedicated to gardening or social gatherings and entertainment.
Conclusion
If you’re thinking about reshaping a small garden in your home, we hope these ideas have helped you. And, if you’re looking for the perfect tool for your projects, we have the solution: with the Planner 5D design program, you can create 2D plans and 3D models for all types of spaces to design the ideal garden. These images show examples of garden designs created with Planner 5D.
Key insights
Here are the key takeaways from this article:
- Proper design for small gardens: Any space can be transformed into a garden with the right design. Add garden furniture to create functional areas and incorporate greenery.
- Decorative elements: Flower beds, stone paths, vertical gardens, and fountains help energize your garden space.
- Garden styles: There are minimalist, rustic, and modern designs that suit small spaces. Choose a style that matches your home’s facade and interiors, and opt for outdoor furniture that compliments it.
- Space maximization: Interior, front, and back gardens can be optimized with creative solutions like vertical gardens or small outdoor dining areas.
- Use of technology: Planner 5D allows you to design small gardens in 2D and 3D with flexibility and ease.
FAQ
What furniture should I buy for a small garden?
An outdoor dining set (with chairs and a dining table) is one of the most functional additions for any garden. Garden sofas, lounge chairs, or a daybed are also very useful. And don’t forget the umbrella!
How can I make a simple and budget-friendly garden at home?
The best way to reduce costs is to design and create the garden yourself. Use Planner 5D to create a design to your liking, then establish a plan of action and purchase only the materials and plants you really need.
How do I start a garden from scratch?
The first step is to assess what you want from the garden (a play area, a space for sports, etc.) and design a garden with appropriate spaces for those needs.
How can I create a simple and beautiful garden?
A good way to ensure that your garden design suits your personal taste is to use a program that allows you to visualize the design in 3D before putting it into practice. With Planner 5D, you can get 3D photos and renders of any design project.