Creative ideas for small gardens: make the most of your outdoor space

If you’re running short on space, you want to use every last inch as efficiently as possible. A clear structure with diagonals and sight axes does wonders for making a little plot of land feel more spacious. Narrow pathways can mark out different sections which all serve a specific purpose: lounge area, outdoor kitchen, flower beds … the list goes on!

You should also think about how to find your way in the dark. Including a smart installation such as the Gira light and energy profile is definitely a good idea for small garden designs: it illuminates your outdoor area at night and powers your lawn mower or electrical barbecue during the day.

Different coverings on the ground (e. g. grass, wooden planks, or gravel) can further accentuate different sections. Don’t go overboard though: if you split up your property into too many parts, it might appear fragmented. We recommend sticking to a few selected materials, preferably in bright colours. White stone, for example, is a great idea for small garden landscaping with a friendly atmosphere.

To make a small garden appear larger, it is essential to cleverly use visual illusions and design tricks. A long, narrow garden can be emphasised in width and visually expanded using the following approaches:

To make a short, wide garden stand out, it is helpful to emphasise the garden's length and draw the eye into its depth. Here are some strategies to achieve this:

To visually enlarge small gardens, the clever selection and placement of plants is key. Here are some tried-and-tested methods:

Light and reflective Plants

Plants with light-coloured leaves or flowers can reflect sunlight, making the garden appear brighter and, therefore, larger. Silver-leaved plants like lavender or silver willow are particularly well-suited for this.

For a small, low-maintenance garden, less is more. However, you can create additional space for gardening and greenery by incorporating different levels and heights. Hanging flower pots from roof eaves is one option, while the trend of vertical gardening offers plenty of creative ideas.

Vertical gardening is a modern method of growing plants, fruits, and vegetables on vertical surfaces like walls, fences, or specially designed structures. This gardening style is particularly beneficial for urban environments with limited space and small gardens, as it maximises available area and can also improve the urban microclimate.

Choosing plants for a patio or backyard is similar to choosing wallpaper or carpets for your living room: the right colour scheme can instantly change the entire atmosphere. If you’re looking for ideas to make small gardens feel more spacious, we recommend integrating bright and cool shades. Flowers with white or pale-blue blossoms add some depth, particularly at the rear end of your property.

• Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens):

  Candytuft is an evergreen perennial with small, glossy leaves. In spring, it produces abundant clusters of small white flowers that float above the foliage, creating a beautiful contrast with the dark green leaves.

• Dwarf Catmint (Nepeta faassenii):

  This variety of catmint is known for its small, grey-green foliage and pale blue flowers that bloom in the summer. It is an excellent ground cover plant, also suitable for edging or use in rock gardens.

Bold, striking colours such as red or violet can quickly seem overpowering, so you should use them in moderation. In general, try to focus on a few selected tones that balance each other out.

Small gardens appear more open and spacious when they are not immediately revealed to the viewer but can instead be explored. You can achieve this by dividing the garden into sections with varying heights, such as a sunken garden, a raised wooden terrace, or sloping embankments.

Tall elements like planted rose trellises, a densely covered pergola, or small ornamental trees create intrigue, suggesting that there are hidden corners yet to be discovered behind them.

The smaller the garden, the more striking features like sculptures, colourful flower beds, or a water feature become focal points that divert attention from the surroundings and the garden’s actual size. Water surfaces, such as a small pond, have an enlarging effect through their reflections. The same applies to the strategic use of light and bright surfaces. A white-plastered house wall reflects plenty of sunlight into the garden, creating a sense of spaciousness.

Garden lighting, such as small light sources, spotlights, or fairy lights, highlights individual areas and creates a cosy evening atmosphere. Lights along the path provide orientation in the dark. A convenient option is the Gira light and energy profile. Depending on the model, it not only provides illumination but also supplies power to the furthest corners of your garden.

At night, presence and motion sensors provide targeted lighting in the small garden. For automatic light control, the Gira motion detector Cube not only detects ambient brightness but also thermal motion, such as passing people. This prevents the light from being unintentionally triggered, for example, by wind moving nearby bushes.

Huge lounge chairs or long coffee tables hardly fit into a tiny backyard – not to mention they will probably look bulky and obstruct the view onto their green surroundings. Our tip: foldable outdoor furniture designed specifically for patios and balconies. Look out for materials that are weatherproof, lightweight, and easy-care – e.g. rattan or aluminium.

With some cushions and blankets, it will feel just as cosy as an indoor sofa.

The position of furniture also plays an important role in realising your idea of a small garden. A crosswise-standing bench can add a bit more width to long, narrow patches. Lengthwise arrangements, on the other hand, will visually increase the depth.