courtyard gardens

THESE COMPACT AND CONSTRAINED OUTDOOR PLOTS CAN FEEL LIKE URBAN OASES IF THE RIGHT DESIGN CHOICES ARE MADE

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1 INTRODUCE WATER

'Introducing water into this garden (designed by Akas Landscape Architecture) creates a tranquil courtyard. Looking at the fish swim below is great fun and creates connection with the living environment. The water and plants also have a cooling effect in the courtyard and the rooms adjacent.'

Ben Callery, founder of Ben Callery Architects

2 ADD TREES

"Trees are a wonderful addition to a small garden and can be used to bring structure and interest to the space. Many small or courtyard gardens are in cities, so using a tree to create a sense of privacy can be very effective, as well as making the space appear larger, as the eye is naturally drawn upwards to the tree's canopy. Just one specimen tree placed in the centre or on a boundary of the garden can transform a small space almost instantly - and if you can, consider lighting the tree from below, as it will look spectacular when night falls.'

Nick Gough, co-founder of The Distinctive Gardener

3 GO MINIMALIST 

An explosion of colour can be really exciting in a small garden, but it can feel rather overwhelming, too. I like playing with different shades of green for a small garden and there are a myriad ways to achieve a beautiful, dynamic mix even with this limited range of colours. When using a minimalist palette, I like focusing on including a diverse mix of textures and shapes to help give more visual interest to the garden.'

Kat Aul Cervoni, landscape designer and founder of Staghorn NYC and The Cultivation by Kat

4 USE HARDSCAPES