There tends to be a few things we all want from a small garden,

• a multi-functional space
• the illusion that it is bigger than it really is
• privacy, giving a sense of seclusion.

Fitting all of our needs and wants into a small space can be a juggling act. A small space with plenty of planting and a dining area to entertain friends. Perhaps space for kids and dogs to run around. All of this can often be harder to get right. For example, larger gardens will have the space to plant large shrubs to hide sheds. In smaller gardens, it is often a trade-off between planting to hide the shed and space for dining.

Thinking about the layout

Town gardens can be long and narrow, having the boundaries so close together can emphasis the lack of space. Thankfully there are a few tricks to help the garden feel wider than it really is. Creating a garden that is designed on the diagonal (at 45 degrees) gives the illusion that the garden is wider. Due to the eye being drawn out to the edges rather than looking straight down the garden to end. Using curves creates a similar effect, by giving the eye other places to be drawn to. Having a path that meanders down the garden, provides a chance to take time to the planting. Perhaps create a little seating nook, half way down to sit and take a pause. Also by wandering rather than walking in a straight line, the emphasis is taken away from the narrowness of the garden.

Providing privacy

Town and city gardens are often overlooked, by other houses or larger blocks of flats. And yet we all want to feel that the garden is ours. To sit out surrounded by flowers and not be seen by anyone else. While the height of fences is often fixed, planting in front of them can increase privacy. Pleached trees are one of my favourite ways to achieve this, particularly in a small courtyard garden. The branches of the trees have been trained to run horizontally to take up minimal space. While the bare stems create plenty of space below to add additional plants, for colour and texture.

Alternatively, hedging plants, whether wanting more formal evergreen hedging or less formal mixed native hedging, will hide unsightly boundaries and provide additional privacy. The choice of plant doesn’t have to be selected from the traditional list of species, most shrubs will happily be corralled into creating a hedge or trained along a wall. One of my favourites at the moment is Osmanthus x burkwoodii, an evergreen shrub with a looser style and pretty scented, white flowers from April into May.

I like to include at least one feature shrub in the garden, if possible. Often a multi-stem shrub, perhaps Betula utilis var. jacquemontii or the glossy red-brown bark of Prunus serrula. They are smothered in delicate green leaves in spring and summer, before their sculptural stems cast shadows in winter. Apart from adding year round interest, our eyes are naturally drawn to the middle ground. Whether looking out of a window or sat in the garden. Drawing them to a focal point can help us forget that we are overlooked.

Using the verticals

As well as making the most of fences or walls, we can also use other verticals as supports for plants. Climbers will happy twine their way around pergolas and plant supports amongst the borders. Or perhaps adding a few wires by an entrance to train a plant up.

When it comes to choosing, one of the first characteristics I look for is scent. After all nothing says summer like sitting outside on an evening surrounded by the heavenly scent of jasmine (Jasminum officinale). Or a honeysuckle, from the creamy white flowers of Lonicera periclymenum ‘Heaven Scent’.  To Lonicera periclymenum ‘Serotina’ with added deep pink streaks. Perhaps repeat flowering roses, either on their own or intertwined with other climbers. They look particularly stunning covering a pergola.

Some of the newer varieties of honeysuckle still have amazing scents but are much more compact and suited to a small space. The names alone, are enough to make anyone drool, Rhubarb and Custard, Strawberries and Cream or Chic et Choc. I have to admit I have Chic and Choc, mainly for its deep red-brown flowers. After scent and colour, the texture of the foliage or bark will add interest, to the garden. Perhaps surrounding a climber or filling a few pots with herbs. A mixture of the needle leaved trailing rosemary and the softer rounder leaves of oregano. Along with the leathery leaves of sage and a few narrow upright chives. Perfect for squeezing into a small space. And the enjoyment of being able to step outside and snip off a few leaves for dinner.

Green wall systems are available in modules that click together, creating as big or little wall as is needed. Plants in shades of purples and greens are popular, particularly geraniums, heucheras, grasses and ferns.  They can equally be used to grow herbs and salad crops. For example, the purple stems of beetroots, lettuce leaves, oregano, sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum) and edible flowers. One word of caution with green walls, they need a fair amount of maintenance, particularly watering to keep them going. They can often fall in what is known as the rain shadow. The area near a wall or fence that is hard for the rain to reach, even after a deluge. They will need regularly checking on or linking up to an automatic watering system.

Raised planters

Raised planters will add interest to a small space, by adding additional height and another colour or texture. Large troughs are ideal if the house is rented. Or just because you like the idea of taking them with you if you move. Planters are often sold in grey (think the dark grey of window frames) or Corten steel. But can usually be supplied in just about any colour you desire. The perfect way to add a block of colour to brighten up a dark corner. Alternatively built in planters, can be clad to match the paving in the garden. A way of making the space feel larger.

Adding a seat in between the planters is an ideal way to be surrounded by favourite colours and scents. Creating full immersion in a private space while reading a book or enjoying a drink. Having ready-made seating areas reduces the need for more chairs when friends come round.

Multi-functional spaces

Multifunctional furniture is becoming more and more common for gardens and not just interiors. Something I’m seeing more of, in person and while browsing brochures, that arrive through the post. For example, planting troughs are now being offered with lids to create storage boxes that double as benches. The idea being to mix and match planters with benches, perhaps placing a bench in the middle of them. Somewhere to store a few gardening tools and also provide a place to perch amongst the flowers.

There are benches that start out as seats, a place for enjoying that first cup of coffee of the day. Before folding out into a table to work on or enjoy dinner with friends. There is an amazing range of small garden furniture. Ranging from the traditional to modern bistro sets.  To chairs that work just as well for indoor dining as they do outside.

Lighting companies and designers are now offering interior lamps or garden path lights in portable versions, with USB chargers. Lamps that will sit on a sideboard or kitchen table. Then can then be taken outside and used on garden tables, and back in again.

Extending the indoors out or the outdoors in

With the rise of bi-fold or large doors, it makes sense to invite the outside in. Using the same materials gives the feeling of a larger space, ideal in smaller gardens. Suppliers often have an indoor and an outdoor version of the same flooring. A lighter weight stone or porcelain for the kitchen and a harder wearing option for the garden.

Alternatively, the use of furniture can be used to link the house to the garden. By having an indoor and outdoor set in the same style. For example, a garden dining table that matches the kitchen table or outdoor sofas in the same style as the dining table and chairs. There are an increasing number of furniture companies expanding their indoor furniture ranges into the outdoors. Whether looking for the matching traditional or modern Scandinavian aesthetic.

Small spaces can be a challenge to get right but they are also a chance to enjoy the creative process of curating a space just for you.

Camilla Grayley is an experienced garden designer, speaker and writer based in York. She designs gardens and delivers garden consultancy services for clients in Yorkshire and across the UK. Get in touch if you’d like help making the most of your small garden on 07887 926095 or info@camillagrayleydesign.com