Three key principles to make the most of your small garden

We haven't all got rolling hills and mysterious forests for back gardens, so it's always good to have an idea of how to make the best use of the space that you've got.

Gardens come in all shapes and sizes and can make a real difference on the look and feel of your home (as well as adding extra value and making your house more marketable should you decide to sell...).

Small space... big possibilities                                                      Source: Harlow Garden Services Ltd.

Many new build properties suffer from small, rather grey, gardens as property developers cram in as many houses into the space as they can get planning permission for - spacious gardens just don't make them the same profit as a few extra 2-up-2-downs...

So, if you're stuck for space and want to make a feature of your garden, follow my three key principles to enhance your small garden:

1) Think vertically

Vertical flower beds make great use of space                               Source: TheLandscapeArchitect.net

As with this rooftop garden in the London Borough of Hackney, designed by The Landscape Architect, vertical gardening can add interest and colour to an otherwise mundane space. 

Vertical flower and foliage displays are great ways to enhance a brick wall or fence which would otherwise darken your garden, making the space feel smaller and more enclosed.

When using walls, make sure you get permission from the owner of the wall if it is not part of your property and always protect the wall using a waterproof sheet underneath your vertical flowerbed.

2) Visual trickery

Mirror, mirror on the wall...       Source: Rosalind Creasy

How long did it take you to see the mirror? Small tricks such as using mirrors to reflect light and enhance the space available are used all the time inside buildings - just think of the number of restaurants you've been in which have a mirrored wall, making the restaurant seem busier and more popular than it actually is...

You can do the same in your garden. As in this example from Rosalind Creasy, mirrors have a wonderful impact on a small garden where bright, flowing flowers are also used. 

In the mirror's reflection you can see a rustic stone path - placing mirrors at the end of lines intensifies the effect of the visual illusion and ties the mirror in to the design of the 'real' garden. 

3) Upcycle

Inject some fun into your garden                                                                         Source: Pinterest.com

If the bulk of your garden is almost entirely paved and you don't have large fences or walls to decorate, then you'll want to think of fun ways to inject character into your outdoor space. Upcycling is a fantastic (and cheap) way to transform a fairly monotonous square into a cheerful place to relax and take some time out.

I found these upcycled wellies on Pinterest and thought they were a simple and bright addition to this small garden gate (though the flowers themselves look a tad sad!). Other ideas include using old dressers and wheelbarrows as flowerbeds - these provide additional levels in your garden as well as some character.

By using upcycled objects rather than (or in addition to) bog-standard flower pots you are able to inject more colour and personality into the limited space you have available to you. With small gardens every inch counts!

Do you have a small garden? I'd love to see your ideas, so please do get in touch with pictures!