Are you designing a small garden? Here's how you can achieve top form and function--and stretch the space:
Choose a simple but elegant design that offers strong structure--architectural appeal, well-shaped trees, etc.
Include forms and plants that offer vertical interest.
Consider using a design that has a diagonal element.
Pay attention to details; choose high-quality materials and make sure the work is done well.
Choose furniture that is light and airy.
Install lighting so that the nighttime garden looks good year-round.
Limit the number of different types of plants to avoid having the area look too busy.
Keep functionality in mind when designing a garden for a small yard. How do you want to use the space?
Think of a small garden as a courtyard---you want a surface that can handle a lot of traffic as well as please the eye. That may mean that you don't want to use grass.
In a smaller garden details really matter. You notice immediately what works and what doesn't. High-quality materials and good workmanship stand out.
Avoid bulky furniture; airy materials such as wrought iron and teak will seem to take up less space.
Every plant has to earn its keep in a small space, so choose plants that offer a show in more than one season. Include evergreens for winter interest.
Strong structures and simple designs are crucial in a small space so that the area doesn't look too busy.
Elements that have a dual purpose are wonderful for the small garden: Here, planters double as seating areas.
Gardens designed on the diagonal stretch the space and draw your focus from one corner to the next.
Changing surfaces create a feeling of movement from one section of the garden to another.
Invest wisely in designing blank walls. Here, where the eye is drawn immediately to the back wall of a garage, latticework lends height, dimension and texture. Climbing plants and vines also help draw the eye upward.
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