How do you get the most of a UK’s small outdoor space
Enjoying the comfort of your outdoors is a great way to relax and ease off space. Your home’s outdoor space can be an entertainment zone where you can cosy up with a book, lounge, eat a meal and host a party with your guests. But a potential source of worry is that many homeowners do not have a large outdoor space. Some houses have a very small patio; others have a tiny balcony and decking area.
The good news is that regardless of the small size of your outdoor space, you can transform it into a gorgeous, exciting and highly functional one with creativity, planning and few add-ons.
Your outdoor space is considered the extension of your property’s living space. Here are some ideas that will guide you in creating a practical and aesthetically appealing outdoor space.
Treat It Like Another Room in Your House
The key to instilling luxury and homely ambience in your outdoor space is by styling your outdoor space as an ‘additional room’. It is also a cost-effective way of improving the functionality of your yard. You can get an outdoor pillow, chair, table, flower container and a weather-resistant rug. This helps create an outdoor-indoor flow, maximising your property’s space.
Grow a Vertical Garden
Vertical gardening is a creative way to grow a garden while maximising space efficiently. With this type of gardening, you can still keep your outdoor seating arrangement intact. Vertical gardening entails planting upward (hence, the name), leaving enough space to plant all types of herbs and flowers.
Growing a vertical garden is very low-budget and inexpensive today as you can repurpose old furniture and items like tin cans and pots into planters.
tips to a perfect garden that requires little effort to maintain
Multi-functional outdoor space
You can create a multi-functional outdoor space that will help you achieve a sense of order and improve the functionality of your yard. To successfully achieve this, you’ll have to create flexible zones that can serve more than one purpose. For instance, your outdoor space can cater to family activities such as the children’s playground, gardening and a reading area.
You can pull this off with garden pots, containers and planters to decorate your yard, while tall ornamental grasses can delicately separate outdoor zones without affecting the lighting. Most importantly, installing grey coloured composite decking boards, or any other colour can improve the aesthetics of the area.
Minimalist design
To prevent a cramped and crowded outdoor space, try adopting a minimalist design. The minimalist outdoor area is simple and stylish. It is a way of optimising space to create sophisticated outdoor with streamlined aesthetics. All that is needed are the right furnishing and decors. The most important tip for creating a minimalist outdoor design is limiting colours and outdoor furniture.
Small backyard patio ideas on a budget In The UK
Romantic setting
Creating a romantic space in your outdoor space can transform it into a paradise. You can achieve this with the right landscaping, lighting and accessories. You can also use martagon Lilies, ivy, campana, hydrangeas or rose flowers and fragrance to enhance the visual appeal and scent of the place.
Also, furniture such as planters, antique chairs, tables and sculptures can improve the beauty of your garden.
Create a focal point
The key to capturing the attention of anyone who visits your outdoor space is a focal point. It is the first thing a guest notices as he or she visits your yard. Some homeowners prefer to use structures as focal points, such as water fountains, pergolas, firepits, trellis, and statues. This can create a hospitable ambience in the outdoor space.
You can also use flowering vines, shrub, or dwarf trees as focal points for your outdoor space. These plants will not only enhance the beauty of your entire yard but will improve the dimension of your property’s exterior.
6 Interior Design Accounts to Follow On Instagram for Decor Inspiration
While large backyards are certainly dreamy, small outdoor spaces are often the reality, yet equally able to provide a place to entertain, relax and frolic in the sun (or shade if you prefer). Take these tips and a healthy dose of inspiration from seven tiny backyards that demonstrate myriad ways to maximize your time outdoors.
Reflective Surfaces: Just as they work indoors, mirrors spread around the light and make spaces feel larger than real life. Megan Pflug redecorated her backyard and included a couple (along with tall, dark walls).
Fold-Down Features: Martha Stewart showed this wall-mounted shelf, which can be folded down when not in use. The same idea works for benches and tables.
High Fences: There something about Smitten Studio’s tall dark walls that make her backyard feel cozier and more private. It’s counter-intuitive for outdoor space but it works.
Built-ins: Above, Desanka has a wood banquette that keeps to the sides of the small outdoor area. Benches that tuck under tables are also good options.
Outdoor Vertical Garden: This newly revamped space, featured on Sugar & Cloth, takes advantage of vertical space with a green wall.
Conclusion
Just because you’re short on space doesn’t mean you have to choose between having outdoor seating or growing a garden. DIY expert Megan Pflug dreamed up this ingenious project, which takes advantage of vertical space by fashioning an espalier on the patio wall.
Bonus tip: To a petite chair with an outdoor pillow, add a garden stool for an additional stylish but space-saving spot to sit (or to rest a cup of coffee or glass of wine).
A functional outdoor seating area doesn’t require a full suite of furnishings. In fact, an ingle bench with ottomans and stools can easily seat a small crowd—just make sure you pile on pillows to maximize comfort.
Bonus tip: It’s the accessories that will make a small space feel bigger. Add a durable outdoor rug or two to bring in a more Lounge-y, indoor vibe, and try hanging small plants for a nature-friendly take on the gallery wall.
