Small Space Garden Design Trends

In the recent year the look of the backyard and garden area has been changing. There is more of an emphasis on extending the home living space into the backyard and making better use of whatever outdoor space is available, even what would be considered a “postage stamp” garden area.Walkway - Heather Lenkin garden
Creative Commons License photo credit: brewbooks

Larger backyards are also being broken up into outdoor rooms by designing the backyard into areas that have their own use or activity. These open rooms are then designed to flow together to create an overall backyard. A secret garden, kitchen room, children’s fort play area, and a water feature area are only a few rooms that are being created for.

Plants are still part of this new outdoor living space but home gardeners are shifting to different garden styles. They are selecting plants that remind them of exotic places or a vacation destination that may be out of their reach at the time.

Sophisticated contemporary designs are also in this year. Gigantic planters planted with bold plants, trees and pampas grass are focal points in the backyard and use of strong lines and angles fill out the landscape.

Gardeners are focusing more on foliage and less on flowers. The ease of ornamental grasses has doubled there used in landscape design. And they are being accented by easy to care for flowers with vibrant colors such as reds, oranges and yellows

Gardens are also being created smaller with better planning for space and use. This trend had to do with creating gardens with less work and also creating space for the return of victory gardens and recession gardens. Many of the most successful small space gardens are combining ornamental plants with vegetables and fruits. Petite annuals, perennials, shrubs and garden produce make combining these plants successful.

And finally “green gardening” techniques are a main concern when designing the backyard. This includes planning the backyard around recycled building materials, recycled garden décor, and the use of no chemicals or softer pesticides. Controlling the amount of water used in the backyard is also important as is creating garden designs using solar lighting.

With the changes in gardening and design even the city dweller or renter should be able to create there our backyard oasis, even if it’s only the size of a postage stamp. It amazing how beautiful and relaxing these small space garden areas can be.

The Backyard Oasis, which is a site for The Gardener’s Rake is have a week long  Small Backyard Design Week starting April 19, 2009.

Stop by the Backyard Oasis for unique backyard garden design ideas that will focus on small space design, garden rooms, combining indoor and outdoor space and many other creative gardening ideas.

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Comments

3 responses to “Small Space Garden Design Trends”

  1. I had so many big plans when we purchased our current home 7 years ago. I wanted a ‘fort’ area for my kids, complete with a sandbox and some other things, a hidden or secret area for me to read or plan, etc. and so many other plans! I don’t think anyone ever called them ‘rooms’ then. I have discovered, over the years, that I’m not really that good at garden design and resources being what they were and are, my ideas were often out of reach. Considering I was really just starting to dive into gardening at that time, I feel my plans were not unreachable (well maybe with our budget- living on one income so we could home school), just more organized in my head than I could ever make them turn out! Now we’re are looking at moving- so I’ll not be putting too much more money into this house- some day maybe those plans I had will be within reach- and this time it will be one room at a time! I will have grand children some day too, so that area for children that I have in my head, complete with a tiny ‘little people’ or ‘fairy’ village hidden amongst the plants will still be important to have in my garden!

    Tessa at Blunders with shoots, blossoms ‘n roots’s last blog post..They’re making a nest too!

  2. Denise

    A little faerie village garden would be cute. And yes I know how it is to dream about all the gardens. That’s why I often make a mini garden so I can have a few of the “many ” gardens I want but not have to spend the whole day out in the backyard.

    And your grandkids will love a bunch of gardens! My nephews always had fun helping me – more like playing….

    And your plants are beautiful Tessa! So healthy looking. I’m envious that my climate is keeping me from setting plants out yet. Denise

  3. Garden Accessory Lady

    I was searching through Google doing research for a blog article, when I found this blog, and while not what I was exactly looking for I found it very informative and interesting. I think that having many “mini-gardens” as opposed to one main garden is a brilliant idea as it allows for a more pleasing view to guests or to yourself when you wake up in the morning and look into the garden. Thanks Kathryn xx

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