Simple ways to make your small garden feel bigger

There’s nothing wrong with having a small garden, in actual fact, some people prefer them because it means they don’t need to put as much time and effort into maintaining their outdoor space.

However, many of us would love our gardens to be a bit more extensive. If it’s not possible for us to expand our outdoor space, there are a few things that can be done to make a small garden feel bigger, including the following.

Use large planters

For starters, you may think that using smaller pots and planters would be a good idea when you have limited garden space; however, the opposite is actually the case. Using larger containers will make it seem like your garden is bigger. You’ll be able to fit more plants and flowers in and that will give the illusion of space even when there’s little. So, choose the largest receptacles you can fit into the space available to you and you won’t regret it.

Plant upwards

Something else you can easily do to give the illusion of space is to plant vertically as well as horizontally. Encouraging plants and flowers to creep up walls and fences will mean that, even if you don’t have a lot of ground space, you’ll still be able to fill your garden with beautiful blooms that will enhance the space.

Invest in a slimline water tank

If you have a water tank in your garden, then swapping it for a model in the slimline tank range will mean that it takes up less space and you’ll have more room for other things like plants, flowers, seating and water features which actually make having a garden worthwhile.

Paint it white

Painting walls, fences and other hard surfaces in your garden, white will make the space seem more sizeable. However, if a wall is very high, painting the upper portion of it in a brighter colour will draw the eye up and make it seem bigger, so a two-tone approach may be most appropriate.

Create zones

Something that can work surprisingly well is dividing your garden into different zones. So, for example, you could have a patio area for sitting and eating, another area for growing plants and flowers and a separate one for the kids to use. Even if the amount of space you have is tiny, this can give the illusion of there being more room than there actually is, and it can help you to enjoy your garden more as a family too.

Swap the garage for a carport

Swapping your garage for a carport is another good way of creating the illusion of space because carports are less solid than garages, which means they’re more open, and of course, they do take up a bit less space, in most cases.

As you can see, there are a number of very simple solutions you can implement to make your garden at least feel a little more spacious, so you can enjoy it even more!

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7 ways you can transform your garden on a budget: our savvy tips

We’re right on the precipice of summer, and the beautiful weather characterising the season. However, after a long and miserable winter, a lot of people often find that their gardens are a little neglected. You don’t have to break the bank to get your garden summer-ready; there are several things that you can do to transform your garden that don’t require much money. So, let’s take a look.

Deep cleaning

First things first, you should begin by giving your garden a deep clean. You can start by dead-heading and de-weeding your flower beds. You should also sweep all the debris off of your patio or decking. Depending on which one you have and the state of it, you might want to get the pressure washer out too. Your outdoor furniture is also likely to need a clean after the winter too. Giving your garden a good clean is a great first step to transforming it and making it look a lot better.

A great way of making your garden deep clean more effortless in the future is by using Custom Perspex Sheets on tables and chairs (where possible), which will make it easier to wipe away any mess as well as protect the furniture.

Garden structures

If your garden is empty or devoid of structures, then you might want to think about what you could build. A lot of people tend to avoid this because they think it’s one of the more expensive garden improvements – and it can be – but this isn’t always the case; it’s entirely possible to build a structure in your garden on a budget. You have a lot of options. There are greenhouses for those who enjoy gardening, a deck – like the one from ClearAmber Shop – for those who like to relax or entertain and sheds, cabins, Wendy houses or other garden rooms for those who need more space. When it comes to building a structure, you need to think about your wants, needs and budgets.

Repaint

Repainting the fence, shed or decking can help spruce up your garden, requiring very little money. Obviously, you’ll need to find outdoor, weatherproof paint for the project, and there are many options. You don’t have to simply stick to one colour either. You can create a design for your garden. Your garden should be viewed as an extension of your house, and therefore your interior decorating style can be brought into your outdoor space too. Allow yourself to be creative!

Replant

After you’ve tidied the garden and removed all of the dead flower heads and weeds, you might want to think about sowing some flowering plants. The winter can do a lot of damage to your flowerbeds; some flowers simply cannot survive the winter. Overhauling your flower beds by replanting flowers can really help to freshen up your garden. To create more visual interest, do your best to vary the flowers. Choose plants in a variety of colours, sizes and textures.

Lighting

Summer nights are lighter for longer, but if you plan to take advantage of your garden or host get-togethers, you might want to think about your lighting options. Lighting your garden well doesn’t have to cost much, but it can really make a difference to the overall look and experience of your garden. Your choice of lighting will depend on your preferences; you can choose from tiki torches, lanterns or string lights. They can work off mains electric, solar-powered or battery operated.

Garden decorations

The next thing to think about is garden decorations. There’s a whole subsection of decorations that are just for the garden. For example, hanging trinkets, laying garden rugs, cushions or garden mirrors can help to add little touches of your personality to your garden. Decorating your garden makes it more fun, homier, it creates more visual interest and it makes your garden more inviting too. Some serve a practical purpose too. For example, incorporating garden mirrors into your design bounces sunlight around your garden to open it up and make it feel larger.

Create zones

Finally, dividing your garden into zones can also help to transform the overall look and feel of your garden. You can have a seating area, a planting area, lawn space, decking or whatever other areas you need to include, which might vary depending on whether you have children, pets etc. Dividing your garden can make it easier to tackle when it comes to overhauling it, and it can help to maximise your space and make your garden look more appealing.

In conclusion

Transforming your garden doesn’t have to be a costly experience. All of the ideas above can be completed on a budget. Use the resources that you have available, whether this means upcycling things that you already have, buying second-hand or shopping from budget stores. Think about how much space you have and how much time you have to spend on the space. Remember to think about what you want from your space; this will help you to narrow down your design choices.

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Price Points: Growing green

No, it’s not a typo. I did mean to say Growing green not Going green, although the former can be part of the latter. Growing green encompasses cutting down on the plastic use and waste and increasing your recycling when it comes to doing jobs in your garden and/or allotment.

Virtually all of us put paper into our recycling each week; newspapers, junk mail, used envelopes etc. How about putting some of that paper to good use by turning it into little pots to sow your seeds? This wooden tool helps you make them – quickly and uniformly.

Personally, I find plastic drinks bottles ugly. Also, we don’t tend to buy drinks that come in plastic bottles. So, perhaps, #2 isn’t for me. However, I think the kit would be a great if you wanted to do a project with your little ones. Get them involved in sowing, growing and harvesting salad, herbs, tomatoes and more. They’ll be able to watch as the roots, shoots, flowers and fruit develop. It may even get them eating their greens!

The soil block maker seems like a large initial outlay, but if you sow lots of seeds every year it will pay for itself both financially and ecologically. No more plastic pots needed! You can buy the block makers singly, in two different sizes however, it’s worth shelling out a bit more and getting the kit. They two sizes work seamlessly together; when the initial seedling is ready to be potted on, the small size block fits into the larger size block. That means there’s no need to disturb the fragile roots or risk accidentally snapping off young leaves. The block maker even moulds a little indentation for you to drop your seed into… it’s such a genius invention!

Paper plant pot maker: from £6.00, eBay
Bottle farm kit: £24.99, Bottle Farm
Eco soil blocker set: £62.95, The Worm that Turned

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Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Eco soil blocker set
£62.95

Bottle farm kit
£24.99