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All of the Best Ways to Make the Most of a Small Garden
Don't skimp on style just because your space is petite.
Crafting a small outdoor space is never easy, but it's not impossible. Even if you're not lucky enough to call Versailles home, you can still make your tiny patch of green look stunning. With a dose of creativity and a few smart furniture choices, your humble garden can be picture-perfect in no time, thanks to these brilliant space-saving outdoor ideas design ideas.
Not sure where to begin? This roundup has genius garden hacks, stylish decor and unique planters that will give a petite space some grand style. These small garden ideas have more than enough inspiration to bring style to your home, regardless of your design aesthetic.
Lattice Green Wall
Obsessed with lattice? For an unexpected touch to your garden, let the pattern set the foundation for a green wall.
Fold-Out Shelf
You can't go wrong with taking advantage of outdoor wall space. A simple fold-out shelf can serve as the perfect spot to display small plants and outdoor entertaining essentials.
Patterned Hanging Planters
Enhance greenery or statement floral arrangements with a pair of potted hanging planters.
Hammock
Play up your garden's cozy factor with a stylish hammock, designed for an afternoon nap or getting lost in a good book.
Globe String Lights
Any outdoor gathering would be so much more fun if classic string lights are in the mix, whether you choose to hang them on a fence or under a pergola.
Fence Planters
Window boxes can be used in so many creative ways. Fill one with vibrant blooms—a great match for a white picket fence.
Vibrant Chairs
Outfitting a small space doesn't mean you have to settle for drab furniture. The brighter, the better is the way to go to bring your space to life.
StyleWell Black and White 3-Piece Steel Wicker Outdoor Bistro Folding Set
StyleWell Black and White 3-Piece Steel Wicker Outdoor Bistro Folding Set
You might be longing for a trip to Paris, but there's no reason why you can't bring some of that charm to your small garden.
Mistana Rolf 2-Piece Galvanized Iron Wall Planter Set
Mistana Rolf 2-Piece Galvanized Iron Wall Planter Set
Vertical gardening doesn't get any easier than this. Use one or both planters depending on how green your thumb is.
Sol 72 Outdoor Aanya Hardwood Dark Red Meranti Potting Bench
Sol 72 Outdoor Aanya Hardwood Dark Red Meranti Potting Bench
With a roomy shelf underneath, this wood piece doubles as a mini garden "shed" for storage.
Society6 Floral Still Life Sling Chair
When it comes to an impromptu yard game, consider folding furniture, like this floral style, to easily free up space in an instant.
Ditch those unsightly plastic hanging pots for a sleek bowl like this waterproof design that's available in four colors: charcoal, stone, clay and slate.
Flower-Filled Planters
Instantly boost your home’s curb appeal with bright blooms on each side of your front door. Expecting guests? Steal these tricks
from our home team: Add stems from a supermarket bouquet for extra fullness and mint for a fragrant burst.
Potted Fruit Trees
If you've got a tiny patio or balcony, you can grow a fruit tree. Calamondin orange or fig trees especially do well in pots at least 1 foot in diameter and 1 foot deep. Just watch out: Choose a variety that can survive at least two zones colder than where you live, because planters will freeze faster than the ground.
Fairy Garden
Think small — really small — with this adorable project. Outfitted with a mini birdhouse, rustic stones, and teeny-tiny accessories, this planter is the perfect thing to make with kids.
Square Foot Gardening
This highly efficient method divides raised beds into a grid. Vegetables then get planted in one or more squares at a density based on plant size (e.g., you’d plant about 16 radish seeds per square, but only one tomato plant).
If you have ¼ acre of land (or even less!), you can produce your own vegetables, fruits, grains, eggs, and more — this book shares garden plans, landscaping tips, planting tricks, chicken coop ideas, and more.
Dwarf Trees
Averaging about 15 feet tall and wide, many ornamental or dwarf tree varieties can handle tiny spaces. Crowd-pleasers like dogwoods, camellias, crepe myrtle, and crabapples offer both flowers and foliage too.
RELATED: The 9 Best Trees for Small Yards
Mkono Mid Century Plant Stands
Amazon shoppers are obsessed with this cute wooden plant stand that can fit just about anywhere. Consider your yard officially Instagrammable. (Note: The plant and pot is not included.)
Companion Planting
Placing flowers and veggies together in the same beds doesn't just save space. It'll help boost your yields and keep plants happy by attracting more pollinators.
Lauren is a senior editor at Hearst. She was previously the senior editor at WomansDay.com and the home editor at GoodHousekeeping.com and HouseBeautiful.com. Her book club, ramen, and jean jackets are a few of her favorite things.
Caroline is a writer and editor with almost a decade of experience. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl.
Monique Valeris is the senior home editor for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."
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