Small Garden Designs

In the modern day and age and especially in the urban milieu, space is limited and even if we did have the space, most of us do not have the time or energy to devote towards maintaining a large garden. There is so much that one can do with small garden designs.

The rules of garden design would apply even to small garden designs, even though they may have to be modified a bit. There are no plants or garden designs that cannot be made to work on a smaller scale. Bear in mind that small garden designs need to work in a small space. Small garden designs have their challenges such as limited choice of plants and colors, space-use optimization and the fact that the whole garden will be seen as a whole. But what you lose out in dimension and space, you gain in detail and maintenance. Attention to detail can be achieved with interesting results in a small garden. Maintenance is easier and less time-consuming too. Most small gardens designs are built around sitting and entertaining areas rather than the need to grow vegetables and plants.

Before designing and choosing a style for a small garden, one must take into account how much sunshine is available through the day, the soil, the shape of the garden space and existing plants, if any. Growing zones would be decided depending upon which part of the garden gets adequate sunlight and choice of plants. Some plants might need a shady place while some would require sunshine at least for a few hours a day. Choice of plants would depend on budget, size of the garden, plants already in garden, garden style and maintenance requirements.

A small garden is really an extension of the house and reflects the taste and sensibilities of the owner. That is why front garden design assumes so much importance because the front yard is the first space in our homes that we see and is visible to others. It is also a place to live in, play in and entertain. There is so much front garden design can do in terms of framing, landscaping ideas and greening the walkways, driveways, entrances and sidewalks. Just a few pots of colorful plants or ferns at the entrance can liven up even the dreariest tenement.

Front yard landscaping is focused more on the how the whole property appears with respect to the over all picture that the front yard projects as a whole with the house. The backyard landscape designs focus more on the purpose, fun, entertainment and privacy aspects of the space. Thus, there is a big difference between backyard landscape designs and front yard landscaping. However, the five key elements of good landscaping holds true for both. These are unity or harmony, focal point, symmetry and balance, proportion and simplicity.

It is amazing how simple landscaping ideas like garden decorations, garden benches, statuettes, swings and garden rocs create a feel and bring a sense of taste to your garden. Garden benches are a cozy place to sit and relax and make for a lovely idyllic setting. Landscaping with garden rocs can add texture and depth to the garden.