Designing a small garden can feel challenging, especially if you have never been a gardener or studied design principles before. You can be put off by a lack of plant knowledge, confusion over where to start, what features you need or the cost of implementing your own design. Take reassurance that I'm going to guide you through the steps to create a wonderful garden space (or at least know what to look out for it you choose to instruct a garden designer instead to save yourself the work!).
Although it can feel overwhelming, designing your own garden is an exciting opportunity to make the most of every inch of green space. With thoughtful planning, you can create a vibrant, functional, and visually appealing garden that feels far larger than its actual dimensions. This is especially true for new build garden plots, which are notoriously small and awkward and feature some rather challenging soil conditions.
Whether you want a relaxing retreat, a space for entertaining, or a garden that supports local wildlife, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to design a small garden.
The first step to designing any garden, especially a small one, is to assess the space and define your needs. This is the very first step where you sit down with a pad and pen or your smartphone and start to draft notes on what the garden should and, in some cases, shouldn't be! This is the requirements building stage and saves you making expensive mistakes down the line.
Consider the following small garden design questions:
Is it primarily for relaxing, entertaining, growing vegetables, or simply adding beauty to your home? What is the function of the garden? Think of it like a room in your house. A bathroom, for example, has functions and components different from those of a bedroom or a kitchen. By finding the function, you can work out what needs to be in the small garden design and what doesn't!
Knowing which areas receive full sun, partial shade, or are mostly shaded will help you choose the right plants and layout. This is known as the garden aspect.
Drawing a shade map is a good example, as well as annotating on your notes which aspect your garden faces. i.e North, South, East or West.
Understanding your soil type and how water moves through the space is key for both planting and hardscaping. Is it heavy clay which is always wet or super free draining sandy soil? Go outside and dig up some samples and then use this guide to work out what soil type you have.
Think about elements like seating, a dining area, raised beds, or a water feature. Even in small spaces, these elements can add style and functionality. But be careful not to add too many functions; I use a 90% rule, which I discuss in length during my online garden design courses, that allows you to quickly whittle down your wants and needs vs what is appropriate and suitable to add to your list.
Draw up a list and be ruthless about what you actually want and what will fit. Rank the list with the most important functions and start at number one when considering the small garden design layout.
Once you’ve identified your goals and limitations, you can create a plan tailored to your needs.
In small garden design, the layout is critical. Thoughtful planning can make the space feel larger and more functional. This is where you take your list of functions and start to map or plan out where they will be positioned in the garden. Try not to stick things in corners, like sheds and other patios. Consider the very best placement for them, which may surprisingly be in the middle of a lawn, and then work around those high-value functions and build the design around them.
Even in the smallest of gardens, you can create distinct areas or zones. For instance, you might have a seating area, a small section for plants, and perhaps a vertical garden or water feature. Dividing the space with different textures, materials, or plantings creates a sense of depth and variety.
Make sure you consider connecting the spaces using paths or lawns so that one zone easily leads the visitor to the next. Avoid dead ends and cramming in another 'zone' if it feels cramped. Remember, beginner garden designer less is more!
In a small garden, vertical gardening can also be your best friend. Use walls, fences, or trellises to grow plants vertically. Climbers, hanging baskets, and vertical planters free up valuable ground space while adding greenery and texture. It helps lift the eyes upwards rather than simply across the garden.
Pathways or stepping stones can give structure to the garden and direct movement. Curving paths can make a small garden feel larger by guiding the eye around corners, creating intrigue and a sense of discovery. Make sure you avoid narrow skinny paths of less than 80cm wide as these make the garden feel frantic and lead to the visitor rushing through. One wide path is better than a few skinny haphazard paths!
In my design practice, plants play a huge part in my award-winning garden designs. They will make or break a garden design, so it's worth really getting to grips with what plants like about your soil and sunlight aspect and working with them. Ignore what Pinterest or Instagram shows you. Most of these schemes are impossible for UK gardens. Work with your garden's conditions, and then select suitable plants for them.
The plants you choose will determine your garden's look, feel, and functionality. In small spaces, it’s important to select plants that serve multiple purposes or have a big impact without opting for tiny, awkward dwarf varieties, which actually make a garden look smaller, not bigger.
Consider layering plants of different heights to make the garden feel full and lush. Use tall, slim trees or climbers in the back, medium-height shrubs or perennials in the middle, and ground-cover plants or small flowers in the front. This creates a sense of depth and richness. Opt for repetition in your plants to bring a cohesive feel to your small garden design.
Many garden design guides recommend choosing dwarf varieties of plants. I would urge you to ignore this advice; it does not work in small gardens. Dwarf shrubs and trees simply make the small garden look even smaller and twee. We want the garden to look considered and bold, not like a doll's house!
Choose a few larger specimens that are still suitable for small gardens, like my list of small garden trees here, and fewer larger shrubs instead of rows of dwarf varieties. Save those for container gardening!
Choose plants that offer year-round interest. Evergreens, winter-flowering shrubs, and early spring bulbs will keep your garden looking vibrant even outside the growing season. Combining plants that bloom at different times will ensure that there is always something interesting to look at. This is known as succession planting, which I cover in far more detail here and in my online garden design courses.
Pots and planters are great for adding flexibility to a small garden. You can move them around to change the layout or create focal points. Container gardening also allows you to grow plants that may not thrive in your garden soil, as you can pick the soil you place in them. As with the rest of garden design principles, opt for a few larger pots rather than lots of smaller ones. They look more impactful and require less watering.
Hardscaping refers to the non-plant elements of your garden, such as patios, pathways, fences, or raised beds. In a small garden, these elements play a huge role in defining the style and structure. They add the weight and body to a space.
But beware, too much hard landscaping and the garden feels brutal and cold, not enough and it feels too soft. It's careful balance which the very best garden designers known how to blend seamlessly in garden design.
Choose materials that work well for the intended purpose, like non-slip paving if your garden is in shade or hardwood for garden buildings that don't need painting each year to preserve them, like softwood. Use gravel to save money or splurge out on gorgeous york stone. It all depends on your budget.
Opt for furniture that can serve more than one purpose. Benches with storage underneath, foldable tables, or seating that doubles as planters help maximize space without cluttering the garden.
In small gardens, light-coloured materials for paving or decking can make the space feel larger and airier. Reflective surfaces, like light stone or pale wood, will help open up the space. Porcelain tiles come in various colours and patterns or opt for warm sandstone for your paving.
Raised beds not only provide defined areas for planting but can also add depth and dimension to the garden. By placing raised beds at different heights, you can create a sense of layers, making the garden feel more dynamic and also raising the planting upwards. If you have poor soil, raised beds can be your best friend and save lots of effort trying to grow suitable plant types!
A focal point, like a small water feature, a large planter, or a beautiful piece of garden art, can draw the eye and make the garden feel more intentional and designed. It adds interest and prevents the space from feeling too flat or cluttered. If you have a vista other than a neighbour's windows, why not consider using the 'borrowed view' small garden design trick here?
Texture and contrast are key design elements in small gardens, as they add complexity and depth to a design. But the key to these three garden traits is repetition. Choose a couple of colours and textures and work with them. Read my guide on the colour wheel to fully understand why this is important!
Combine different plant textures—like spiky grasses, soft ferns, and broad-leafed plants—to create visual interest. Similarly, mix different hardscaping materials, like wood, stone, or metal, to add layers to the design.
Contrast colours, shapes, and materials to make certain elements pop. For example, dark foliage against a light-coloured wall or a bright planter in the corner of the garden can create visual excitement and make the space feel lively.
Good garden lighting can transform a small garden, making it feel magical in the evenings and ensuring you can use the space after dark. Bad lighting in garden design acts as a floodlight that washes out the garden and makes you feel exposed in the evening. It's not nice, so again, go for less and more with lighting and consider my guidance below on how to add it to a small garden design.
Use string lights, solar-powered lanterns, or festoon lights to create a cosy, warm atmosphere. Soft lighting will make the space feel more inviting without overwhelming the small area. Use warm white, not bright white, which can make an area feel clinical. Storm candles can be super romantic and far nicer to look at during the day than strings of solar lights and chargers!
Use spotlights to highlight focal points such as a specimen plant, a piece of artwork, or a water feature. Lighting these elements draws attention to them and enhances the overall design. Less is more with focal lighting. The more you use, the less focus it brings for a small garden design.
Make sure paths and seating areas are well-lit for safety and usability. Low-level lights along pathways or recessed lights in steps are subtle ways to illuminate these areas without overwhelming the design. Some solar lights are subtle and only come on when you walk up to them, a great idea for paths.
Finally, simplicity is key in a small garden. Clutter can quickly overwhelm a small space, so it’s important to keep the design focused and streamlined. This is why you need to be really considered with the functions and constantly edit your mood boards and the design process. If things look squashed or cluttered on paper, they will feel even worse in real life!
Sticking to a few complementary colours will help create a sense of cohesion and prevent the garden from feeling busy. You can use plants, containers, and accessories in similar shades for a unified look.
Limit the number of decorative elements to avoid a crowded feeling. Each element in your garden should serve a purpose, whether it’s functional or aesthetic.
Small gardens can feel overgrown quickly if not regularly maintained. Keep on top of pruning, weeding, and tidying to ensure the space stays looking its best year-round.
If you want to elevate your design to the next level, why not take one of my accessible beginner online garden design courses?
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Designing a small garden may require a bit more planning and creativity, but it offers the opportunity to craft a personalized, intimate space that reflects your style and needs. It is all about working with the key functions and preventing yourself from cramming too much in. Do a few things well with purpose, and you, too, can create a fantastic small garden space!
Maximizing space, choosing the right plants, and focusing on thoughtful design elements can create a garden that feels larger than life. This becomes a garden you want to use rather than ignore. Whether after a peaceful retreat or a vibrant space to entertain, your small garden can become a stunning oasis with the right approach by following my garden design principles.
Happy gardening!
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