Landscape Design Ideas for Small Spaces
Ideas for Small Outdoor Spaces
It is possible to create a garden gem out of a small, awkward space. It takes imagination, planning, willingness to work with the conditions you have, and some constraint. Whether you want a space for entertaining, lounging, play, or all of the above, here are some examples of small space design and some guidelines and ideas for transforming small spaces.
- With usable area at a minimum in small spaces, how can there be enough room for seating, play spaces, and planting as well as amenities like an outdoor kitchen, storage, or fire and water features? Incorporate multi-purpose areas and multi-functional amenities into your garden. Seating can also be storage, and a patio can be a parking space.
- Don’t forget to use vertical spaces like walls and fences as part of the design. The smaller the space, the more important the vertical surfaces become.
- Often, small spaces have awkward angles, steep slopes, or seemingly unusable corners and pockets. To make the most of a garden like this, try getting creative with your use of space: divide the garden into different levels, tuck seating and elements into interesting spaces, and use plantings to soften edges or to highlight the space.
- Small spaces can become cluttered and tight very quickly. Use a minimal design palette to create an ordered and spacious feeling! Pick one strong design idea, like a bold color or pattern choice, and keep the rest simple.
- Small spaces are often also shaded spaces. Surrounding buildings, fences, and walls can cast hard shadows, so plants need to tolerate deep shade with short periods of glaring sun. When plant conditions are difficult, use “bulletproof” plants even if they are not your favorites. Healthy plants are prettier than struggling plants! Also use other features as your main attraction. Bold color, interesting furnishings or patterns, and creative lighting can all be used to create inviting and beautiful small spaces.
Source: www.shadesofgreenla.com