Small Garden Design
Why Small Gardens Need Great Design
It sounds counterintuitive, but small gardens often benefit more from professional design than larger spaces. In a big garden, you can get away with a few mistakes. In a small one, every plant choice, every paving slab, every centimetre counts.
The gardens that feel cramped usually aren't actually smaller than those that feel generous. The difference is design. Thoughtful layout, smart material choices, and planting that earns its place can transform even the tiniest courtyard into somewhere you genuinely want to spend time.
We've designed gardens as small as 15 square metres that our clients use more than they ever used their previous, larger spaces. That's the power of getting it right.
Making Small Spaces Feel Bigger
There are real techniques for creating the illusion of space, and they work remarkably well when applied properly.
Diagonal layouts force the eye across the garden rather than straight to the back wall, making the space feel longer. Larger format paving with fewer grout lines creates a cleaner, more spacious appearance than busy patterns. Vertical planting draws the eye upward and adds greenery without stealing floor space.
We also think carefully about what you see from inside your home. You'll look at your garden through windows far more often than you'll stand in it, so those views matter enormously. A well-placed focal point, strategic lighting, or a perfectly framed plant can transform how a small garden feels from your kitchen or living room.
What Works in Small Gardens
Small gardens thrive with:
Multi-functional features like built-in seating with hidden storage, fold-away dining tables, and planters that double as privacy screens.
Vertical gardens including climbing plants, green walls, and wall-mounted planters that add lush greenery without using precious floor space.
Zoned areas that create distinct spaces for dining, relaxing, and planting. Even in 30 square metres, having zones makes a garden feel more spacious and purposeful.
Bold, simple planting with fewer varieties but more impact. One stunning tree fern or Japanese maple often works better than twenty different small plants competing for attention.
Small Garden Challenges We Solve
London gardens come with specific challenges that we navigate daily.
Overlooking neighbours is almost universal. We create privacy through clever screening, tall planting, and pergolas that block views without making the space feel boxed in.
Shade affects most urban gardens for at least part of the day. We know which plants thrive without direct sun and how to use light colours and reflective surfaces to brighten dark corners.
Access constraints can make construction tricky when everything has to come through the house. We plan projects with this in mind, specifying materials that can be carried through narrow hallways.
Storage needs don't disappear just because a garden is small. Bins, bikes, tools, and outdoor furniture all need homes. We design clever storage solutions that keep small gardens functional and tidy.
Small Garden Investment
For small courtyard gardens in London, full transformations typically start around £15,000 to £25,000 including design, hard landscaping, planting, and lighting. The cost per square metre is often higher than larger gardens because fixed costs spread over less space, but the total investment is usually more manageable.
Many clients find that a well-designed small garden adds significant value to their property while transforming their daily enjoyment of home. In London especially, outdoor space is premium real estate, and making the most of what you have pays dividends. See our pricing guide for more details.
Our Small Garden Projects
Browse our portfolio below to see how we've transformed compact spaces across London. From contemporary gravel gardens to lush courtyard retreats, each project shows what's possible when design is done right.
Ready to transform your small garden? Get in touch for a free consultation.
Explore some of our recent work
Harness the Potential of Your Garden with Our Expert Services
Garden Design
From initial consultation and site survey to detailed 3D concepts and planting plans, our design process is thorough and collaborative, ensuring your vision becomes a reality.
Consultancy
We can help with troublesome areas, best locations for patios or pergolas as well as ideas for planting schemes with our consultancy service
Landscaping
Our team works with trusted contractors or your preferred choice to deliver exceptional results, including add-ons such as lighting, irrigation, and garden furniture.
Planting
Our expertise extends to designing and implementing planting schemes for full gardens, raised beds, window boxes, edible garden schemes, and troublesome areas, as well as lawn installation and maintenance.
Maintenance
Choose from regular, seasonal, or one-off MOTs to keep your garden in optimal condition throughout the year.
FAQs
How much does small garden design cost in London?
Small garden design in London typically costs £3,000-£5,000 for a full design package including 3D visualisations and detailed planting plans. For complete design and build, expect £15,000-£30,000 depending on materials, access constraints, and features like lighting or built-in seating. The cost per square metre is higher than larger gardens because fixed costs spread over less space, but total investment is usually more manageable. Our pricing page includes a project simulator to help you understand costs for your specific situation.
How can I make my small garden feel bigger?
Several design techniques create the illusion of more space. Diagonal layouts force the eye across the garden rather than straight to the back wall. Larger format paving with fewer grout lines creates a cleaner, more spacious feel. Vertical planting draws the eye upward without using floor space. Mirrors strategically placed can double perceived depth. Light colours on walls and pale paving reflect light and open up dark corners. Our small garden designs combine these techniques to transform even the tiniest courtyards into spaces that feel generous and inviting.
What are the best plants for a small London garden?
The best plants for small gardens earn their place by offering multiple seasons of interest. We recommend: Japanese maples for year-round structure and autumn colour, evergreen ferns for shady spots, ornamental grasses like Hakonechloa for movement, compact hydrangeas for summer flowers, and climbers like star jasmine to use vertical space. Avoid plants that spread aggressively or need constant pruning. Our planting schemes for small urban gardens focus on plants that look good year-round with minimal maintenance.
How long does a small garden transformation take?
A typical small garden transformation takes 6-10 weeks from design brief to completion. The design phase runs 4-6 weeks, including site survey, concept development, 3D visualisations, and revisions. Construction for a small courtyard or terrace usually takes 2-4 weeks depending on access and complexity. Courtyard gardens with restricted access may take slightly longer as materials must be carried through the house. Book your consultation 3-4 months before you want the garden finished to allow comfortable scheduling.
Is professional garden design worth it for a small London garden?
Often, yes — small gardens benefit most from professional design because there's no room for error. Every plant, every paving slab, every centimetre matters. Our full garden design service includes 3D visualisations so you can see exactly how your space will look before any work begins. Some of our most satisfying projects have been tiny courtyards and terraces in Hackney and across East London where clever design made a transformative difference. We specialise in creating outdoor entertaining spaces that maximise every square metre.
What can you do with a shaded garden?
Shade is an opportunity, not a limitation. Our shade garden designs use the rich palette of plants that thrive without direct sun: ferns, hostas, hellebores, woodland bulbs, and shade-tolerant shrubs. We create lush, green spaces with interesting textures and seasonal highlights. Light-coloured paving and mirrors can brighten dark corners. Many of our favourite London courtyard designs work with significant shade — these spaces often stay cool and comfortable in summer.
Do you provide 3D garden designs?
Yes, 3D visualisations are included in all our full garden design packages. These photorealistic renders show exactly how your garden will look from multiple angles, helping you understand spatial relationships, planting combinations, and material choices before any work begins. It's particularly valuable for small urban gardens where every decision impacts the overall feel of the space. You can refine the design until you're completely happy before we move to construction.