10 tips for creating a courtyard
A few design tricks can beef up your outdoors, writes Caroline Botting.
Just because you have a small garden it doesn’t mean you can’t achieve big things. Here are 10 tips on getting the best out of a Lilliputian outdoorspace.
Fool the eye with a few design tricks to make a space feel larger. Paul Gallagher of Mace Landscapes says horizontal design elements that create the impression of length, a path, a long bench seat or horizontal cladding.
Paving can help create a more open feel. Bricks are busy and draw the eye down, whereas large natural stone slabs or generous pieces of concrete result in a more open feel, suggests Damian Wendelborn of Urbanite Landscape Design.
Add depth by placing a sculpture or water feature near a wall with plants behind it. Mirrors can help, but beware they don’t look gimmicky.
Outdoor lounge suites are popular these days, but they’re not always the best option in a courtyard because they can look very heavy. Built-in furniture is less obtrusive and can be dual-purpose.
The right finishes can help a
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courtyard connect to your home. For example, if you have timber floors, a connecting timber deck will make the area flow together and seem larger. Finishes can also define an area; a path in a different coloured finish will guide you through or around a space.
Don’t go overboard with hard landscaping, Gallagher said. Your outdoor room is likely to be a wellused area, therefore it’s tempting to have lots of paving and other hard surfaces, ‘‘but it can look a bit harsh and industrial’’. Factor in plenty of planting. ‘‘Use strategically placed planter pots and urns, and go vertical by greening the walls.’’
If the space is a thoroughfare, use lightweight and moveable furniture. ‘‘You might also want to consider if you aren’t better to grab some chairs and a table from inside,’’ Gallagher suggests, rather than having separate sets for inside and out. Furniture that looks light and airy and allows the eye to travel through makes a small courtyard feel more spacious.
Plan lighting early on in the design process, as it’s very important
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in smaller spaces. It can create ambience or highlight a tree or water feature to draw focus. ‘‘I often look for ways to bounce light off surfaces in order to get softer, reflected light,’’ Wendelborn said.’’ Place lights a reasonable distance from highlighted objects to create a softer wash of light.
Sheltered courtyards can often have extreme microclimates, so it’s
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important to choose the right plants for the conditions. In a small space, any unhealthy plants will be more noticeable.
care with fountains in enclosed spaces. ‘‘The sound is sometimes greater than you’d expect,’’ says Damian Wendelborn. ‘‘A simple soft gurgle of water in a pot is generally more than enough.’’
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