45 Small Garden Ideas to Transform Your Outdoor Space

As idyllic as it is to imagine being surrounded by colorful flowers and gorgeous greenery this season, it doesn't always seem possible depending on your outdoor layout. You may feel there's no room to nurture your green thumb if you have a small yard—or one full of other items designed for summer fun, like fire pits and swing sets.

May we make a small suggestion? Consider a small garden, which outdoor experts say can have a major impact. And there are plenty of ideas—ranging from modern to classic—to inspire you.

"Small garden spaces can not only pack a lot of ecological value but color and seasonal interest," says Sara Abbass of Sara Mairead Landscape Design.

In other words, a small garden can be bountiful and beautiful (as well as low-maintenance and budget-friendly) Here, landscaping, gardening and other outdoor experts plant the seeds for inspiration with 45 photos and tips for small gardens.

Related: The 35 Best Raised Garden Bed Ideas to Elevate Your Outdoor Space

45 Small Garden Ideas

1. Be intentional

If you don't see space, create it.

"Small spaces can sometimes be a carved out intentionally defined area, bordered by hardscape—perhaps a small architectural detail," Abbass says. "Selecting plants for a more modern approach, grasses and conifer can make a bold statement with minimal plant species in a space."

Here, "fire chief" arborvitae, catmint and tussock sedge combine for a simplistic and pretty palette that adds life to this walkway.

2. Hit refresh

Materials can experience wear and tear. Replacing them with beautiful and more durable items than previous tools can yield better results. 

"As a garden coach, I design garden spaces for my clients and was searching for products that were easy to build and customize, durable, versatile and beautiful to use in my design," says Vickie Pullen, a National Garden Bureau member.

Pullen opted for beds from Vego Garden for her clients, who needed to replace old, rotting wooden beds.

"We have seen a significant increase in the quality and quantity of our harvest," Pullen adds.

3. Self-sustaining

Remembering to water plants can feel like one more item on a never-ending to-do list. A planter with self-watering technology can ensure "effortless cultivation of herbs, vegetables and flowers," says Robert Behrens, the Crescent Garden marketing operations coordinator and a National Garden Bureau member.

4. Nature meets design

Nature seamlessly blends with design at this small-sized, large-impact garden beside an entry point to a home in Florida.

"I love that the garden feature gives this amazing transportive experience before entering the home," says Brittany Farinas, the CEO and creative director at House of One in Miami. "It is an anchor to the whole home and reinforces the importance of biophilic living."

5. Sweet (pollinator) paradise

Creating a pollinator-friendly garden that attracts bees and butterflies can make even the smallest gardens feel abundant with life. 

“This trend focuses on more than just pollinators," says Katie Tamony, the chief marketing officer and trend spotter at Monrovia. "We are seeing an increased interest in soil health, doing good for the environment, and creating a space that is our very own Garden of Eden."

Tamony recommends plants like coneflowers and African irises.

Related: Create Your Own Butterfly Paradise With These 35 Plants and Flowers That Attract Butterflies

6. Front-yard conversation spaces

Conversations aren't reserved for backyards (i.e., backyard BBQs). Tamony has noticed an uptick in people looking to improve the aesthetic and usability of their front yards.

“Even just a few interesting plants can help add structure and bring in color to front yard conversation areas," Tamony says. "Choosing a calming color palette can create a restful and relaxing space for family and friends to reconnect.”

Think evergreens that create structure and a focal point or cold-tolerant, cheery "Angel’s Blush" abelia.

7. Utilize unique planters

Whiskey barrel planters are more than a way to add rustic charm to a space.

"You can pack a lot into these larger wooden pots," says Kaitlin Mitchell, the founder of Rutabaga Garden Tools. "I love companion planting herbs and flowers and always harvest from outside the plants so that the crops can continue growing from the center and towards the sun."

8. Fun fruit elements

The Urban Garden co-authors Teri Speight and Kathy Jentz love dwarf and small fruit trees because they make a tiny garden appear anything but bashful. 

"Dwarf fruit trees are the perfect solution for small-space gardeners to have edible plants in a limited space," says Jentz.

9. Make bold statements

Don't discount large or even more expensive plants, which (perhaps ironically) may also save you a few bucks on your dream small garden.

"Even small gardens can make bold aesthetic statements at a relatively low cost," says Francisco Ruiz, a landscape designer for Farmscape. "This small space uses a handful of pricier larger specimens like coral aloe, where a few can go a long way."

10. Increase curb appeal

Add a small garden by your curb to turn heads and, if you're selling. attract prospective buyers.

"A few nice specimens near the curb create a focal feature and add curb appeal in this drought-tolerant garden transformation," Ruiz says.

11. Building blocks

Bolder Green founder Marek Bowers stacked upcycled old cinder blocks to create succulent planters. Bonus: Succulents are drought-resistant.

12. Weave a tale

Woven planters add a touch of simplistic elegance to a space.

"They will instantly elevate your space, and aside from being great decorative pieces, they’re also functional," says Anna Tatsioni, the lead interior designer and design director at Decorilla.

Related: 35 Fire Pit Ideas to Completely Transform Your Outdoor Space

13. Boxed boundaries

Cold frame boxes can separate the lawn from a growing space, says Sarah Warner, the greenhouse manager at the Case Western Reserve University Farm at Case Western Reserve University. 

Now, what to put in them?

"Since this space is small, there are a lot of fun things to plant," Warner says. "Flowers, herbs or strawberries can do really well in this space without maintenance. Strawberries are fast ground spreaders, so this will minimize the need for weeding and filling in space."

14. Spice it up

Bring the heat to summer parties with salsa made using ingredients you grew in a small garden.

"The salsa barrel is a half wine barrel garden with a 28-inch diameter [and] the essential ingredients to make your favorite salsas," says Troy Smothermon, the CEO and founder at StartOrganic. "I'd suggest planting a slicing tomato, cilantro and spicy peppers of your choice. I love this small garden idea because it is so compact with the wine barrel and is truly an all-in-one garden that will feed you all summer long."

15. Spud break

Smothermon says this small—and mobile—garden idea yields a massive harvest.

"Potatoes in a barrel or bag is a garden that you can move around as needed and provides a great environment for growing your favorite spuds," Smothermon explains. "I love this small garden idea because the foldable sides allow you to add more soil mid-season, and the grow bag material allows for great drainage as well."

16. Patch things up

One pro recommends giving a less-attractive spot of your lawn a refresh by using it for your small garden.

"Most of us have a section of grass that isn’t doing great," says Jen Rose, the founder of Bee Cups. "Maybe this is the perfect spot for a tiny refuge. If you plan ahead, you can kill the grass by covering it with cardboard and 10 inches of mulch at the end of the summer. By the time spring rolls around again, the cardboard and mulch will have decomposed enough for you to plant directly into the ground."

Rose used the cardboard and mulch method in her personal garden in Dallas, pictured above. The space includes Indian blanket flowers, purple cone flowers, white sage, pink muhly grass, yarrow and lantana.

17. Get your mind in the gutter

Using rain gutters for gardens makes use of vertical space.

"I recommend securing the with cedar 2-by-4-foot lumber to fenceposts," says Luay Ghafari, a garden consultant, educator and author of Seed to Table. "Fill with light and airy potting mix and plant with shallow-rooted crops like lettuce, baby greens, spinach, radishes and even bush beans."

Caveat: "The gutters do require watering and may not be suitable for really warm climates," Ghafari warns.

18. Hanging around in style

Minimal ground space? Use a ceiling instead.

"Create a suspended garden with the use of recycled hanging chairs or hammocks," says Matthew Wilson, a gardening expert at Handy Gardeners. "Just hang these from a sturdy structure, like a pergola or the branches of a tree, and fill it with soil and your favorite plants. The whimsical designs of this garden create a stroke of genius in small outdoor spaces and are ideal for relaxation."

19. Upward mobility

Wilson loves the idea of using old wooden pallets to create vertical planters. 

"Simply secure the pallets in place, fill them with soil and plant a variety of herbs, flowers or small vegetables in the gaps," Wilson says. "This method maximizes limited ground space and adds a rustic, natural charm to your garden."

20. Small splash

This idea puts a serene twist on the classic container garden.

"Container water gardens bring a sense of tranquility and a touch of aquatic beauty to any garden space, providing a peaceful retreat and a unique visual element," Wilson says.

He recommends using barrels or ceramic pots and filling them with water, suggesting, "Add aquatic plants like water lilies or lotus flowers, and introduce small fish or water features like fountains."

21. Secret garden

Hardscaped and natural elements go hand in hand in this charming small garden.

"Arches, obelisks and pergolas combine to make space for vertical gardening for vining crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, pole beans, grapes and kiwis to grow and the feeling of green walls and ceiling when you are in the garden room," says Carissa Kasper, the garden designer at Seed & Nourish. "Below the kitchen garden is a sunken berry patch, leading to a feeling of a secret garden that expands the feeling of space."

22. Pot and planter perfection

Rooftop gardens genuinely raise the bar. 

"Planters and pots surround the seating area on this rooftop patio, and the use of pyramid trellis and the umbrella creates the feeling of being surrounded while in the garden room," Kasper says. "The placement of the pot behind the seating area obscures the outdoor kitchen, creating a sense of a larger space."

23. Pave the way

Gardens with tons of poppy colors can be head-turning, but there's something so easy on the eyes about an all-green space.

"Adding a little green to your smaller gardens or compact outdoor spaces can beautifully balance your stylish retreat while doing the environment well," says Olivia Harris, the president of Invisible Structures.

Harris suggests using flexible, porous paving solutions with grass, which allow for efficient rainwater drainage.

24. Love blooms

Some people consider boxes of chocolate a romantic gesture. But Mike Murphy of You Had Me At Gardening welded these grow boxes at the corner of the property he and his wife share because she didn't want to bend over too much to garden. (Talk about a keeper.) He used three different heights (3 feet, 2 feet and 1 foot).

"I filled them halfway with logs, then lasagna-style with compost, quality manure and garden mixes," Murphy says. "We plant tall vegetables such as corn and tomatoes in the shortest one. In the mid-height one, we plant okra, kale and tomatillo. In the tall one, we plant carrots, asparagus, cilantro as well as squash, pumpkins and various melons."

25. On the fence

Mounted vertical herb gardens save space while making it easy to pick fresh herbs for your next meal.

"It's nice to have it close at hand to complement both the culinary convenience and the aesthetic beauty of the space," says Niwar Nasim, the president of Nasim Landscape.

Related: 35 Outdoor Lighting Ideas to Up-Level Your Yard, Deck or Patio

26. Beauty meets the eye

Hanging planters often feature downward, cascading plants. 

"[They're] perfect for small places where giving up floor space is hard," Nasim says. "It brings greenery at eye level or higher. Suitable for indoor or outdoor applications, hanging planters are best for trailing plants, ferns or flowers."

Hanging a few by a window provides an element of natural drama.

27. Contain yourself

A classic small-garden idea.

"Containers come in many different sizes and materials, allowing you to experiment with other plants and arrangements," Nasim says.

28. Boxed in

Another quintessential way to create a small garden.

"Window box gardens are long, narrow boxes usually fixed to the window sill or railing," Nasim says. "They are suitable for flowers, herbs and small vegetables, bringing greenery to a space that otherwise would stay empty. Being at an easy-to-reach height level from the window, they are convenient to maintain and serve as a convenient option in urban settings."

29. Winding road

A winding pathway makes for a charming addition to a small garden—and one that can even play tricks on the eyes. 

Ali McEnhill at The Old Dairy Nursery & Gardens says straight lines can make a space feel smaller. 

"You can create interesting shapes using winding pathways, which will look far more interesting when viewed from above," McEnhill says.

30. Hide and seek

"Don’t shy away from tall plants," McEnhill says. "In our small kitchen garden, we utilized see-through plants to create an air of mystery. They hide what’s coming around the path without actually blocking the space or light."

McEnhill's favorite see-through plants include Verbena bonariensis, white Japanese burnet and Foeniculum vulgare ‘pupureum.' 

"The [Foeniculum vulgare ‘Pupureum's'] dark, smoky plumes of foliage add serious drama to the garden," McEnhill explains.

31. Going up

Hanging planters and mounted pots and pans are just some of the ways to maximize vertical space in a garden with limited surface area.

"Adding climbers will help draw the eye up, enlarging your sense space," McEnhill says. "You can either bring in architectural elements like trellises or arbors or create a simple wire trellis on the side of a building. Winter squash is a quick-growing, beautiful edible."

Pro tip: "Do not allow plants to grow directly on a building," McEnhill warns.

32. Spiral style

The idea of an herb spiral sounds delicious, doesn't it?

"Herb spirals are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing," says Samuel Davis, a horticulturist and the CEO of London Gardeners. "They maximize space and create microclimates for different herbs."

33. Multi-purpose furniture

This indoor space-saving hack also works for outdoor gardens.

"Garden furniture that doubles as storage or planters can save space and add functionality," Davis says.

34. Lovely layers

Diversifying the type and size of plants can make a small garden impactful.

"Fill in around larger plants of interest with complementary smaller annual plants and perennials while maybe adding a sculptural component for an extra flair," says Eddie Maestri, the principal architect and owner of Maestri Studio. "Paying attention to scale is essential, and I like layering small spaces with a mix of heights, colors and textures."

35. Honor your season

Extend the life of your small garden.

"A great feature to consider for small gardens is the versatility of using pots and planters in a way that it can constantly evolve through the seasons," Maestri says. "You can easily bring in fragile plants during a freeze or extreme heat, whereas in a larger outdoor garden, you risk losing them to more extreme weather."

36. Modern meadow

This idea transforms a garden into a full-sensory paradise—color, movement and connection to nature.

“The modern take on this more natural garden style is that it is less chaotic,” said Tamony. “You’ll still have the feeling of a wild meadow with beautiful grasses and colorful, pollinator-friendly perennials, just on a smaller scale. Modern meadows are beautiful and free-flowing, inviting birds and bees into the landscape.”

Plants like smoke signal little bluestem (a grass with graceful movement that can grow as high as four feet) and dainty pink pearl Agastache (a pollinator) add character.

37. Decluttered designs

Amber Freda founded her own garden and landscape design business in 2004 and specializes in designing small gardens in New York City. 

Lesson No. 1: Clutter shrinks a small space. "Having lots of mismatched planters or too much furniture will sometimes make the space feel smaller and more hodgepodge," Freda says. "Consider having streamlined rows of planters mostly on the perimeters to create clear walkways and furniture arrangements."

38. Interior and exterior connections

Seating areas can still exist in small gardens so that people can gather and chat. Freda says fewer, larger pieces of furniture will feel more symbiotic than tons of smaller ones. She also recommends creating a connection between the interior and exterior of a living space so the garden seems to flow outward. This approach lets a garden appear like it's a natural extension of the home's interior, creating rhythm, flow and beauty.

39. Artificial and intelligent

A garden incorporating artificial turf can be super-versatile, especially for people who entertain tiny guests (with two or four legs).

"The artificial turf also offers a soft landing space for kids or pets to enjoy in a small space where it would be impossible to grow real grass," Freda says.

40. Zen zones

Small spaces can be so serene.

"For this Brooklyn backyard, we wanted to create a sense of peace and tranquility," Freda says. "The natural looking log bench surrounded by lush woodland plantings makes the space feel very open and Zen-like."

41. Break it up

Fencing can make a small space feel like an enclosed box.

"It’s important to break up the fencing with other elements," Freda says. "We used built-in lattices and soft plantings to help provide some contrast to the gray composite wood fencing on this Brooklyn rooftop."

42. Every plant (and day) counts

"If even one plant looks bad, it stands out," Freda says.

Freda and her team design gardens with a four-season approach to avoid sore thumbs. 

"We want a mix of evergreens, flowers that bloom in different seasons and ornamental plants with different seasonal interest so that the garden looks good every time of year," Freda explains.

43. Complement the view

So, you have a postcard-perfect view already. Your small-garden goal? Complement it.

"It’s important not to compete with the spectacular view on a small roof deck like this one in Brooklyn overlooking the water," Freda says. "We chose a couple of accent trees for some height, but most of the plantings were intentionally left low and soft."

44. Hideaway haven

Find peace in a bustling city (or life).

"A fountain can be a great way to add the soothing sound of water to a small deck space," Freda says. "This rooftop garden in Manhattan feels serene and slightly removed from the bustling cityscape around it, offering its owners a secret oasis type of feeling."

45. Tropical garden

Gardening has become an experience, not a chore.

“Gardening has...become an activity that allows gardeners...to remove themselves from the noise of life,” Tamony says. “Incorporating lush tropical plants into the garden can create the feel of being on vacation right in your own yard.”

Up Next: 45 Most Common Houseplants to Grow in Your Space

Expert Sources

• Sara Abbass of Sara Mairead Landscape Design

• Vickie Pullen, TCLP, NLCP, a National Garden Bureau member

• Robert Behrens, the Crescent Gardens marketing operations coordinator and a National Garden Bureau member

• Brittany Farinas, the CEO and creative director at House of One in Miami

• Katie Tamony, the chief marketing officer and trendspotter at Monrovia

• Kaitlin Mitchell, the founder of Rutabaga Garden Tools

• Kathy Jentz, who co-authored The Urban Garden with Teri Speight

• Bolder Green founder Marek Bowers

• Anna Tatsioni, the lead interior designer and design director at Decorilla

• Sarah Warner, the greenhouse manager at the Case Western Reserve University Farm at Case Western Reserve University

• Troy Smothermon, the CEO and founder at StartOrganic

• Luay Ghafari, a garden consultant, educator and author of Seed to Table

• Matthew Wilson, a gardening expert at Handy Gardeners

• Carissa Kasper, the garden designer at Seed & Nourish

• Olivia Harris, the president of Invisible Structures

• Mike Murphy of You Had Me At Gardening

• Niwar Nasim, the president of Nasim Landscape

• Ali McEnhill at The Old Dairy Nursery & Gardens

• Samuel Davis, a horticulturist and the CEO of London Gardeners

• Eddie Maestri, the principal architect and owner of Maestri Studio

• Amber Freda, who founded her own garden and landscape design business in 2004

• Jen Rose, the founder of Bee Cups