Are you downsizing or moving from a garden-less home to having some outside space. Daunted by the thought of a courtyard garden? You needn’t be. Even the smallest of spaces can be beautiful, practical and an asset to your home. With a few handy tricks you can create a delightful outside space to be proud of. Here we share our secrets on how to make the most of a courtyard garden.
- Treat it like another room
With a small space you won’t be able to take long walks around the garden, so it is essential that you have somewhere to sit and enjoy your outside space. Whether that’s a table and chairs, a rattan love seat, a hammock or a swing chair.
- Carefully place garden furniture
Off-centre your table and chairs to create a sense of space. Trust us, it truly works.
- Be clever with optical illusions
If you find that you have a dark corner in your courtyard, a mirror can open up the space and reflect sunlight into the garden.
- Proportion is everything
Container planting is your friend, but be aware that these will need more watering. Don’t be afraid to have a couple of bold statements – a large tree or a water feature, for instance. These are best placed on the back boundary to draw the eye in.
- Identify a theme
When you are short on space, tying everything in with a common theme can unify the space. It could be an extension of the reception room leading to the garden.
- Storage
Tall storage with a small footprint will allow you to store seasonal items and prevent a sense of clutter when not in use.