| While designing small area gardens does have | | | | used behind planting schemes, they blend and |
| some of its own special challenges, the | | | | help make the boundary seem invisible. |
| opportunity for creativity is multiplied | | | | Overall, darker color elements help create |
| within these small spaces. It is possible to | | | | more depth in confined areas. |
| create more atmosphere and impact with less. | | | | |
| | | | Adding curves to your walkways, flower beds, |
| And while most people do a great job of | | | | walls, etc. can give the illusion of more |
| creating beautiful gardens within confined | | | | distance and travel. The human eye can detect |
| areas, balconies, rooftops, and courtyards, | | | | that there actually is more distance involved |
| the greatest challenge is still in making | | | | and so the mind interprets the actual |
| small gardens feel larger than they really | | | | occupied space as being greater. |
| are. | | | | |
| | | | If you have unused hard corners, make good |
| Because most small gardens are surrounded by | | | | use of them. An arch or entryway into a |
| boundaries, vertical surfaces, and can | | | | corner that otherwise goes nowhere is a nice |
| generally be viewed in a single glance, they | | | | element and opportunity to frame a focal |
| have a tendency to feel confined, boxed in, | | | | point in the corner. It also creates the |
| and...small. So some designers use a few | | | | illusion of something more beyond. |
| techniques and "tricks" to create an illusion | | | | |
| of more space. Try one or more of these ideas | | | | Creating levels can give the illusion of more |
| if you're challenged by a confined area. | | | | space. It creates vertical surface and |
| | | | appears to create even more horizontal |
| Screen unsightly boundaries and hard vertical | | | | surface. If your floor area is limited, |
| surfaces with plants or structures. Not only | | | | otherwise unused hard corners are a great |
| does this hide the element, but can also | | | | place to add a second level flower bed or |
| create the illusion that there's more beyond | | | | element. |
| and not just your neighbors wall or yard. Try | | | | |
| to hide obvious boundaries. | | | | A little creativity might even enlist the use |
| | | | of mirrors. Think about it. A mirror or two |
| If your garden is confined by walls, the | | | | placed in the right spots could actually make |
| color of your walls can actually have some | | | | a garden seem twice as large as it really is. |
| impact on how spacious your garden feels. | | | | |
| Darker colors alone have more depth. When | | | | I hope this helps. |