Smaller garden space? Tips to keep in mind...

Overscaling features can be fun... or can be disastrous. Be careful.

Even in a small courtyard, a water feature — if safe — is magical.

You may not have enough room for a lawn; consider alternatives.

Don’t use too many materials.

Be pragmatic about what you can achieve.

Invest in good-quality furniture which will last a generation. If storage space is at a premium, ensure that the furniture can remain outside all year round.

Cover walls or boundaries with climbers or highlight a feature wall with some bright paint.

Make the link between house and garden more immediate by opening up the ground floor with French or folding doors.

Always try to attract wildlife in with nesting boxes and feeders.

In a smaller garden, have a good mix of planting for the whole year round — remember the garden is a picture, seen winter and summer, and a smaller garden will appear to have a more direct relationship with the inside.

Try to link colours or materials used inside with those outside.

Even in tiny spaces, look after the environment by making compost and harvesting rainwater.