Six ways to make your small garden look bigger
IF your garden is the size of a postage stamp but you’d like a feeling of space when you step outside, landscape expert Gena Lorainne of home care specialist Fantastic Services (fantasticservices.com) and planting designer Carolyn Dunster, author of
Urban Flowers, offer the following tips...
USE MIRRORS
PLACING a mirror or two in your small garden can create an illusion of a bigger space, which could look twice the original size. When positioning a mirror pick the right spot – somewhere where it won’t be a visual hazard, as the reflection of the sun can damage not only your eyes but plants as well.
For best results, choose a slightly shady area, Lorainne suggests.
If you position a mirror on your boundary it will reflect the space back, so you cannot see where your garden ends, Carolyn adds.
MAKE USE OF WALLS AND FENCES
PLANT your favourite flowers along walls and fences to add brightness and to spread their scent all around your green space. Hanging flower baskets can look great, says Lorainne.
MAKE THE SHED BLEND IN
CAROLYN says: “I like to cover the sides of my shed, my fencing and trellis with climbing plants to give the impression of being surrounded by greenery and am happy to use ivy which stays green all year round along with jasmines and climbing roses.”
USE DIFFERENT SIZED PLANTS
CAROLYN explains: “A diversified small garden, where there are plants of different-shapes and sizes, can give off the impression of larger space. Aside from that, this trick also makes the garden look more visually appealing.”
Carolyn adds: “A range of different sized plants means you can layer your planting and give it depth, although there is no need to place all your tall plants at the back of a border. Varying the heights makes your planting look more dense.”
ADD CLIMBING PLANTS
THESE will give height to your garden without taking too much ground space, says Lorainne.
MAKE USE OF A ROOF
IF you’re short of growing space, consider creating a ‘living roof’, where flowers and greenery can be planted on top of the shed to give the illusion of a bigger garden. The roof will also help attract more wildlife and enhance the relaxing, natural feel of the plot, says Lorainne.