Ultimate Guide to Small Garden Design Ideas for Urban Spaces

Transform Your Small Urban Garden with Smart Design Tips

Did you know that in urban Britain, the average garden size for consumers aged 25-44 is just 12m²?* Urban outdoor spaces tend to be smaller and are cleverly designed to maximize functionality for everyday life. Contemporary urban gardens feature clean, geometric lines, simple yet effective designs, and minimal, fuss-free planting.

In this guide, we'll share some small garden design ideas to help you make the most of your plot or balcony.

Go Potty with Container Gardening

Container Gardening: The Perfect Solution for Small Spaces

When space is limited, pots are an excellent way to add greenery to your garden. They are especially useful for patios or decking areas where digging into the ground isn't an option. Container gardening is also ideal for those who frequently move homes, as pots can be easily transported.

Planting in various-sized containers can give your garden a sense of depth. Cluster large pots with smaller containers to create an interesting and structured plant display. Consider our Bordo Italia Terracotta Planters paired with evergreen shrubs like box balls, skimmias, hebes, and ivy. For a splash of color, use our Loudon Glazed Planters with vibrant shrubs to create striking contrasts against walls or doorways.

Plant Upwards with Vertical Gardens

Vertical Gardens: Maximize Greenery in Small Outdoor Spaces

Vertical gardening is a brilliant way to add more plants to your small garden while saving space. It enhances shade, beauty, and privacy in compact areas.

Explore vertical gardening options such as our Decorative Metal Garden Arch with Feather Design, which supports flowering plants and vines. For those who love growing their own produce, this arch is perfect for peas, grapes, and tomatoes. Alternatively, plant climbers in raised beds and train them on trellises to optimize space. Jasmine and roses are easy to grow and provide beautiful colors and scents.

A living wall is another excellent option for smaller gardens. Use our range of Metal Wall Planters with evergreens, hardy perennials, grasses, and succulents to create stunning displays on walls or fences.

Space-Saving Seating Solutions

Create Functional Seating Areas in Small Gardens

Gardens are now seen as an extension of the home, with garden furniture providing an additional living room in the summer. Even with limited space, you can create a functional and beautiful seating area for everyday enjoyment.

For a relaxing seating area in your small garden, consider foldaway furniture or a compact table. Our Repton Bistro Set, with its classic style, is perfect for small patios. The Repton Folding Love Seat is another great choice, folding down easily and fitting neatly into terrace spaces.

Extend the usability of your garden seating area into colder months by adding fire pits or patio heaters. The Linton Cesta Steel Fire Basket and Lelant Steel Bowl Fire Pit have small footprints but provide a warm focal point for evening gatherings. The Luna Outdoor Electric Steel Heater is ideal for creating a cozy ambiance on summer evenings.

Divide Your Garden into Zones

Use Zones to Create the Illusion of More Space

Dividing your garden into zones can make the overall space appear larger. Use structures like arches and trellises to create distinct areas. Our Decorative Songbird Garden Arch is perfect for framing entrances, walkways, or dividing different garden zones.

Bamboo screens, hedging, and metal screening can also make the garden feel bigger by concealing certain areas. Create a dedicated seating area with a patio or decking, a play area with turf, or a secluded bench spot. These partitions add interest and the illusion of more space.

Enhance Light and Reflection

Brighten Up Your Small Garden with Mirrors and Lighting

If your small garden doesn't get much sunlight, consider adding elements that lighten dark corners and define the space boundaries.

Install a mirror along a garden wall or fence to reflect plant foliage and the sky, creating the illusion of a larger space. An oversized antique mirror, like our St Simon Large Garden Window Mirror, adds visual interest and makes the area feel bigger.

Outdoor lighting is crucial for creating a sense of depth and highlighting features. Use our LED Solar Spotlights to illuminate plants and bushes or our 200 LED Solar String Lights to accentuate trees and garden structures.

*Ipsos Mori for HTA, 2018