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