10 imaginative Ways to Maximize Space and Bring Life to a Small Garden

So many of you have downsized and have requested ideas on creating a small garden. Whether you have a balcony, a small deck, courtyard or patio, imagine your small garden as a canvas waiting for your creativity. Let’s explore 10 imaginative ways to maximize space and bring life to your outdoor space regardless of its size. With clever planning and creative planting, even the most compact outdoor space can be impactful and interesting.

10 Imaginative Ways to Maximize Space and Bring Life to a Small Garden

#1 Make Containers your Best Friend

Vary your containers. There is no need for matchy/matchy options. Opt for interesting baskets filled with perennials, large pots, and window boxes. Potted plants can be moved if necessary. They can be filled with small fruit trees, climbers on a small trellis, various shrubs, lavender and many others.

My uber-creative former blogging buddy Kelly Motschenbacher has a great collected arrangement of containers on one of her small patios at her home in Southern California.

If you are in Southern California and haven’t visited Kelley’s shop the blu canoe, it is a must visit. You can follow her for more inspiration on Instagram here.

You might also enjoy my post on How to Grow Beautiful Container Gardens here.

#2 Embrace your Vertical Space

Utilize wall-mounted planters, a trellis, or small pergola to add height without sacrificing too much ground space. Chips Gardens on Instagram created height and a backdrop for his topiaries in this small garden area. This is a perfect example of how a small garden can live big.

We planted this espaliered apple in our town garden in Salinas. We moved it to its current spot in our front courtyard. It is currently underplanted with lavender and decorative kale.

#3 Play with Colors and Textures

Choose a vibrant color palette if you want to invigorate your garden. Mix and match different foliage textures and shades for visual interest and depth particularly if you prefer a white garden.

This beautiful container display from Morton Arboretum is a beautiful example of using different textures, colors and sizes of plants for a container display. A smaller version of this could serve as a screen or backdrop in a smaller garden.

#4 Create Cozy Seating Areas

Maximize comfort with space-saving furniture like a bistro table and chairs or benches that don’t take up a lot of visual space. If possible create a small seating area, and dining area. Add interesting cushions, throws, and outdoor rugs (if you like them) to create an inviting atmosphere.

Everyone’s favorite Contessa (contessa and her pig on Instagram) created this intimate dining space on her porch. Isn’t it charming?

We created a similar space on our porch at our former Chualar home. The porch was just deep enough for a table and chairs. Pottery Barn has some great options for small garden areas here.

#5 Create Ambiance with Different Types of Lighting

Install string lights or lanterns for ambiance the evenings.. Consider spots or LED strips to highlight key features and pathways. In our courtyard we have gas lanterns, italian string lights and standard lighting at the doors. You can see more of my courtyard area here.

#6 Introduce Water Features

Incorporate a small fountain or pond to bring soothing sounds and movement. We carved out a small patio area outside the basement of our former lake house. My husband and son crafted a small pond and fountain to make use of the large wall .

When we lived in town we turned an old concrete patio into a small french style town garden. You can read my post on the inspiration for that garden here, and the post on the actual transormation here. This fountain was the center of that design when we lived in town. We had just enough room in this garden for the table from the lake with eight chairs, and four lounge chairs.

#7 Grow Edible Plants

Why not have a small vegetable garden/ Utilize raised beds or vertical gardens for growing herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Plant dwarf fruit varieties in pots. Herbs, lettuce, and strawberries, peppers, cucumbers and more can be planted at the bases of your taller plants. Tomatoes and runner beans can be trained to grown on decorative stakes.

This small vegetable garden from Garden Gate Magazine packs a lot of bang for the buck.

If you are considering growing a kitchen garden Veranda has a great article here: How to Grow a Potager Garden that is Beautiful and Functional, or this article How to Grow Vegetables in Containers from Better Homes and Gardens.

#8 Own Your Own Garden Style

Infuse your garden with personality by incorporating items that reflect your interests and personal style. This photo is of my cousin’s beautiful small garden in the Midwest.

#9 Create Boundaries

Create privacy. Even a small space can be divided to give it more character & personality. If there is no space for fences opt for a screen or decorative divider. Homes and Gardens 24 Ways to Create Privacy has some wonderful ideas for gardens large and small. Image credit via Leigh Clapp.

#10 Have Fun

The Balcony Gardener on Instagram proves you don’t need a lot of space to go big on style. Isabel Palmer has written the book The Balcony Gardener,, and is a garden columnist at House and Beautiful UK.

Shop Small Garden

Extended Reading:

42 Small Garden Ideas to Cleverly Maximize your Outdoor Space

Homes and Gardens How to Plant a Small Garden

All of my garden posts on the blog here.

Even a tiny garden can make a powerful statement. Transforming your small backyard garden into a paradise that suits your lifestyle can be so fulfilling. If you have a small space, don’t waste it on a lawn or turf. For more garden inspiration, and small garden ideas you might enjoy my favorite gardening books here., and here.

Thank you for reading 10 imaginative ways to maximize space and bring life to a Small garden. Now roll up your sleeves, let your imagination run wild, and watch your garden bloom with abandon.