There’s nothing quite as satisfying as creating your own lush, green garden filled with colourful flowers, fresh herbs and veggies. We are in the unfortunate position of having a super small garden with next to no greenery so I’ve been looking to fix all that by getting a little creative with some amazing backyard ideas!
Small homes and apartments often make excellent use of their living and storage solutions however, having your own garden is not always as simple with greenery and available planting space being rather limited. Thankfully, there are many ways to introduce some lush plant life in your home to help liven things up! These epic backyard ideas will have you out in the garden in no time!
Vertical Gardens
One of the best ways to add some greenery to a small outdoor space (or even indoors with the right set up!) is to make use of any available vertical space. You’ll find highly customisable options available at your local hardware stores such as the GardenUp Vertical Garden Range. This exciting collection is made right here in Australia and covers all the bases when it comes to building a fruitful garden in tight quarters, from balcony hangers to freestanding stackers and of course, a wall mounted range.
If you are looking for more of a DIY approach, you can build your own custom vertical planters by up-cycling your tin cans.
DIY: Up-Cycled Tin Can Vertical Garden
- Thoroughly clean out any used small paint cans or leftover cans from the kitchen.
- If you wanted to add some colour to your tin cans, here’s your chance! Paint your tin cans in whatever colours you like; Dulux’ range of Duramax Spray Paints are a fabulous solution for easily painting over tin.
- Drill a hole in the base of each can to allow for water drainage. You’ll also want to drill a hole on either side of the can for a rope or wire to pass through, allowing enough excess to be able to hang your new planters.
- Hang your new tin planters on any available vertical space in your outdoor area; A great idea to keep things neat and tidy is to install a series of hooks onto a large timber board to hang each of your individual tin planters on. Your board can be mounted on any wall or fence – You’ll find a very simple and beautiful DIY here.
Trees, Potted and Hanging Plants for Small Gardens
Including lush greenery in a tight space can be a tricky task! Wherever possible, incorporate upward growing trees (such as bamboo, for example) that will help in drawing the eye up and help make the space appear larger.
When you’re short on grass and planting space, the next best way to add more greenery is of course, potted or hanging plants. Create interest in your small garden by combining different styles of pots or plant rings, as well as playing with different heights and sizes to achieve a well balanced look.
Keep it Light & Bright!
As with any small area, keeping things light, bright and breezy is the key to creating the illusion of an abundance of space. When selecting outdoor accessories such as table settings, cushions and ottomans, opt for lighter colours and natural tones to create a casual, breezy environment. Multi-functional pieces are also your friend here – Outdoor storage ottomans or benches are a fabulous way to keep small gardening tools and other equipment neatly (and safely!) tucked away.
Add further light to your outdoor paradise by including solar powered lighting solutions: Twinkle lights to set the mood, wall lights for a bit of ambient lighting and stake lights to light up any path ways – Nothing says ‘romantic getaway’ more than warm lights strung across your newly decked out tiny garden!
Never miss a thing! Join our Facebook Group: Home Design & Decorating 101 to have all your home related questions answered, meet new friends and get inspired every day!
FURTHER READING:
- A complete guide to outdoor concrete flooring solutions
- Our book review of Erin Rhoads’ fab book ‘Waste Not’: An excellent guide to reducing waste around the home, including some expert gardening tips!
