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Spending time in the garden is one of the most beneficial things you can do for yourself. Those who spend time in their garden have been proven to report better health, psychological wellbeing and greater physical activity levels than those who don’t[i]. However, some gardens don’t seem like the most relaxing spaces. And, often, this includes courtyard gardens. Courtyard gardens aren’t the easiest plots to work with – but they’re not impossible! Small courtyard gardens certainly have a certain charm, and the way you design them can help enhance it. So, here are our favourite small courtyard garden ideas to help you get the soothing space you crave with little hassle.
Keep It Simple
When considering small courtyard garden ideas, the most crucial advice is to keep it simple. Don’t overcomplicate the space with an assortment of colours, plants, and decorative pieces. Instead, opt for a carefully picked out palette of materials and colours that won’t clutter the space.
However, don’t be afraid to be adventurous! A few daring colours or focal points won’t do any harm; just try not to wedge too much into the space. Squeezing too many pieces, colours, or plants into a small garden will clutter it up, decreasing usability and making it feel cramped.
Add A Unique Water Feature
The use of water provides a focal point and creates interest in any garden. Plus, the soothing sound of water encourages relaxation and invites several species of wildlife. A standing water feature with a subtle movement is an excellent choice for a courtyard garden since it provokes calm and reflects the light, making the space look bigger.
Where you position water features is essential for their impact on your garden. For example, a large, compelling water feature would be better as a centrepiece to your small courtyard garden. In contrast, a more subtle design would be suitable hidden within the garden, so you aren’t completely aware of them until you’re in the space.
Here are some of our favourite distinctive small garden water feature ideas:
- A steel water bowl
- A water rill
- A water table
- A multi-purpose planter and water feature
- A water sphere
- A tiered water fountain
Position Furniture Wisely
The position of furniture in a courtyard garden can make all the difference, both to ease of use and visual size. At the end of a long week, you want to come home to a relaxing garden that you can unwind in, and awkwardly placed, clunky furniture will get under your feet quickly.
So swap out your bulky chairs and garden sofas for a svelte 2 seater bench or slim outdoor dining set. Then, position your new courtyard garden-friendly furniture so you can admire your surroundings. No matter the shape or size of your garden, placing your furniture at the boundary will allow you to enjoy the space without feeling closed in and restricted.
Bring The Inside Out
Creating a visual link to the interior of your house will make your garden feel like a part of your home. In turn, this extends the area out, allowing the eye to move from space to space without any interruption.
Consider using similar flooring in your courtyard garden to the one in your property’s interior. An uninterrupted visual link will allow a seamless transition between spaces, making the interior of your home feel more open and your garden seems more relaxed. Alternatively, you could use similar materials or paint colours or add a subtle connection by planting flowers whose colours will integrate with your home’s interior.
Use Statement Pieces
All the best courtyard garden ideas need something to add personality to the space and make it stand out. There are plenty of intriguing statement pieces that look fantastic in a small courtyard garden. For example, you could create a focal point with a fire pit for the family to cosy up around or add some interest with spiral topiary in a container.
Whether your statement comes out in quirky accessories or brightly coloured planters, adding a little something that gives your garden personality will create a diversion and make the space more exciting.
Plant Simply
Plants are the perfect addition to a courtyard garden because they help integrate your space with nature and bursts of colour. Plus, they can cover up fences and boundaries, so your garden doesn’t feel so closed in. However, you have to be careful of the things you plant, as certain plants can crowd the space.
White flowering plants are perfect for small courtyard gardens because they can help create light. White flowers are also the last flowers you will see at night, so, when planted smartly, they can create depth. The early flowering Christmas Box is a great white flowering plant to brighten up shady areas is the early flowering Christmas Box, an evergreen plant with a rich fragrance.
Some of the best plants for a courtyard garden are:
- Clipped box
- Fuchsias
- Hydrangea
- Bougainvillaea
- Saxifrage
- Caradonna
- Tulips
- Begonias
- Gerberas
- Pansies
- Fuschia
- Ferns
Choose An Effortless Palette
The most important thing in a courtyard garden is simplicity – you don’t want your space to feel suffocating or restricting. And the colours you choose to include in your design scheme can make a big difference.
Often, neutral colours are best for small courtyard gardens. Fences and walls in shades like pale grey or bright white will give the space a soothing effect, rather than bold colours that will make the space feel smaller.
You can add splashes of colour through your accessories, cushions, or furniture to spice up the space. However, it’s best to stick to a colour palette of only two or three colours for a coordinated look so your garden won’t feel chaotic.
Some fantastic colours for a courtyard garden are:
- White
- Brown
- Burnt orange
- Salmon pink
- Turquoise
- Earth green
Use Reflections
Reflections can create the illusion of light and space. The simple addition of a mirror or two can make a huge difference when looking for small courtyard garden ideas. The reflection will bounce light into dark corners, opening up the space and increasing usability.
Placing a large mirror among your plantings will add a subtle improvement, or you could incorporate a mirror into your furniture design to open up your entertaining space. If glass mirrors may be a safety risk for you, you can use an acrylic mirror sheet, which you can resize to fit snugly into any space.
Try pairing a lightweight acrylic mirror sheet with coordinating chairs for a minimalist effect. Finish the look with a few potted ferns and a modern looking coffee table for the ultimate hang out spot.
Add Outdoor Lighting
Clever outdoor lighting choices are a simple way to add interest and a dramatic flair to a courtyard garden. Plus, a lit-up space allows you to enjoy your garden long past dusk.
A courtyard garden will benefit greatly from soft lighting since it will illuminate any dark corners without harshly lighting up the entire area.
No space is too small to light up! Even a container garden on a balcony can benefit from a string of fairy lights, so set the right ambience with an enchanting light addition. To add another source of interest in your garden, place lights around your favourite feature or art piece in your garden to ensure it gets the attention it deserves.
Some of our favourite courtyard garden lighting ideas are:
- Wall-mounted lights
- Hanging pendants
- Spotlights
- Outdoor moon light
- Oil lamps
- LED net lights
- Candles
- Globe lights
- A floor lamp
- Fairy lights
Consider Storage
For small courtyard garden ideas, one of the main priorities is space. And having plenty of storage gives you even more room to enjoy your garden. Small gardens can easily become cluttered, so having a place to put away any gardening tools, furniture accessories, and anything else you want to keep outdoors gives you more room to enjoy your garden.
Adding slimline shelves, compact storage boxes or log storage can help your garden remain free of clutter and allow you to keep track of where everything is. For successful small courtyard garden ideas, multi-functional furniture is perfect for storage since it will give you a place to sit and keep all your belongings in order.
Small Courtyard Garden Ideas To Make Your Garden Look Bigger
Styling a courtyard garden is one thing, but making it look bigger is different. Fortunately, to expand your garden and make your next gathering feel less cramped, there are some subtle tricks you can try to open up the space.
Here are some simple ways on how to make a small garden look bigger:
- Plant vertically
- Grow tall plants
- Use big planters
- Add a painted backdrop
- Break up space in your garden
- Stick to a small colour scheme
- Add different levels
- Hide your garden’s boundaries
- Include interesting accessories
- Feature a pathway
Brighten Up Your Garden With Our Courtyard Garden Ideas
Courtyard gardens may not be the easiest garden type to deal with, but smart style choices can make all the difference. So try some of our small courtyard garden ideas, and let us know how you get on!
Sources
[i] https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/health-and-wellbeing/articles/study-on-the-benefits-of-spending-time-in-gardens
Anna is the marketing and office manager for Garden Benches – a premium supplier of high-quality wooden benches and other outdoor furniture.
