Courtyard Design – Making the most of a small garden.

Nowadays our gardens are getting smaller as we squeeze into our city spaces. The challenge now is how can we get the most from these courtyards or micro gardens without feeling like we live in a box?

There are a few tricks to using the small gardens to maxiumum efficiency, they can be using built in seating, walled gardens, vertical gardens, tall plantings, minimal furniture, light paving, wall colours and simple design.

When you are in your outdoor room, peace is what you  should feel, you will want to forget your chaotic working week and recharge your batteries with friends, family, pets or just yourself. When you enter a crowded room do you feel relaxed? I’m guessing you said no, most people would, this applies to your courtyard garden too, too many pots, colours, furniture can make the space feel chaotic!

Bring it back to soothing colours, soft tall plantings, minimal textures, a simple feature pot or tree, soft mood lighting, one or two key pieces of furniture and a few plants used in multiple plantings. One last point to mention; consider shade, direction of the sun and placement of your BBq and entertaining space in relation to this. The last thing you want when you are relaxing is to have the sun blasting in your eyes as you slave over the hot stove (BBQ) or sitting in the HOT midday sun.