A courtyard or small balcony doesn’t rule out a proper outdoor space. It just changes what works. Here are the ideas that make a small footprint feel bigger than it is.
Vertical gardens
Vertical gardens add greenery without taking up floor space, and they make a small area look larger in the process. Climbers, hanging pots with succulents and herb gardens all work well without eating into the space you actually use.
Screening plants
Screening plants add privacy without taking up much width, since most can be trimmed to grow taller rather than wider. Clumping bamboo is the most popular choice and can reach 2 to 3 metres in around 18 months. Hedges like murraya, gardenia or photinia work just as well, though they need trimming every season.
Fold-away furniture
Outdoor furniture has come a long way, and there’s no shortage of options built to handle the Australian climate. If space is tight, furniture that folds away or mounts to a wall means you can bring it out when you need it and reclaim the space when you don’t.
Add a focal point
A single focal point can make a small yard feel considered rather than cramped. A fire pit for cooler-month entertaining is a popular choice, from natural gas to wood burning. A small fountain or water feature adds a tranquil sound, and a single feature tree, a maple, fig, crepe myrtle or magnolia, can anchor the whole space.
Choose climbers
Climbing plants save floor space by growing up rather than out. Given the right structure to climb, they can form a green wall that does double duty as a design feature.
Use mirrors
An outdoor mirror, placed strategically, can make a small space feel close to twice its actual size. It’s a simple way to add something unexpected to the space as well.
