Looking to transform your outside space into something special within a small garden or balcony?

1 comment

10 Space Saving Tips for Transforming a Small Garden or Balcony

However small your outside space, our handy decorating guide will give you all the tips and tricks you need to make the most of it.

Don’t worry! You don’t need acres of land to make something beautiful. However small the dimensions, our guide has all the decorating tips and space-saving ideas you need to help you make the most of your outside space.

First up are the three most important questions to ask yourself before you start decorating:

What will you do here?

You’ll no doubt use your outside space for many different things, but before you get to decorating you should think about what you’ll use it for the most.

Will you be out there at 6am for a daily yoga or meditation session? Do you love to entertain? Are you a budding plant lover looking to flex your green fingers? Or will this be a designated chill zone generally reserved for enjoying cups of tea and great books?

The more suited your space is to its main purpose, the more you’ll use it, and the more you’ll love it.

Does the idea of a wellbeing space catch your eye? How about a lounging space? Browse our curated collections here.

What is your signature style?

One of the most enjoyable parts of decorating a garden or balcony is that you get to be creative. As with the inside of your home, this is a chance to express yourself through style and generate a space that feels right for you.

Think about outdoor spaces you’ve been that have inspired you. Can you incorporate elements into your own garden? Think about the styles you love inside your home. How can you bring this outside?

Your garden or balcony should be somewhere that makes you feel happy and at home. Especially when you’re working with a limited space, be discerning and spend time searching for furniture and objects that you really love.

By all means scroll through Pinterest and Instagram for ideas, but don’t choose something because someone else has it. Buy things you know you’ll enjoy for years to come.

What do you need the most?

Once you’ve thought about what you’ll use your outside space for most, it should be easy to pinpoint the most important purchase. This might be a dining set to seat you and your guests. It might be a grill to feed them from. It might simply be a really comfy chair to relax in.

Whatever it is, this is the piece you should invest in. Spend as much as you can afford on something with great style that’s built to last. It will make all the difference.

Explore our range of furniture here.

Tips and tricks for decorating a small garden or balcony

Now you’ve thought about the basics, it’s time to get decorating! Our top ten design tips and space-saving solutions will help you make the most of your outside space, whatever the size.

1. Choose the right garden furniture

The less space you have, the more important it is to choose exactly the right things to fill it. Opt for outdoor furniture that uses space in the best way possible. A bench or a corner sofa may take up less space than chairs, for example.

Look out for pieces that can be used in various ways. Seek out seating that also offers storage. Choose stools that can be transformed into tables when needed.

Foldable chairs and tables are another great option as they can be collapsed when not in use. These days there are many beautiful options so you don’t have to compromise on style.

Discover our range of foldable and lounge chairs.

2. Invest in a Statement Piece

In the same way that many rooms are designed around one key piece, building your garden area around a central element will make a style statement and in turn make the space more impactful. It could be a bold chair or sofa. It might be a striking piece of wall art. Whatever you choose, make it eye-catching.

3. Create Flow

If your outside feels like an extension of your interior, it will naturally feel bigger. Bringing stylistic touches from your home into your garden will create a sense of flow, meaning it will feel like one big continuous space.

Alternatively, take cues from the surrounding outside space. For example, if your balcony overlooks green spaces, adding your own greenery will create a sense of harmony as if it is part of a larger whole.

Another tip if you’re working with a balcony is to make the most of your view. A clear line of sight to the space beyond will create a sense of flow and the illusion of more space.

4. Embrace Colour

Small spaces don’t have to be minimal. Building up colours and textures – using anything from ornaments to soft furnishing – creates depth and actually makes it feel like there’s more going on.

Similarly, mismatched furniture is often kinder to small spaces, creating layers of interest as well as a more relaxed vibe.

Another tip for injecting colour is to choose storage solutions to stand out rather than blend in. Think of storage not as a necessary evil but another chance to add design flair.

Looking for inspiration? Explore our themed collections here.

5. Avoid Clutter

While colour and texture can make a space seem bigger, overfilling a small space will do the opposite.

Start by deciding what you need, then add decorative pieces one by one, stopping before your garden feels cluttered. Sometimes less really is more.

6. Get Reflective

It seems simple, but mirrors and reflective surfaces are an easy way to make a space seem larger. They add depth and also bounce light around.

If you’re lacking wall space, consider a few small mirrors dotted about or perhaps mirrored tiles instead. Small touches can make all the difference.

7. Find Uses for Each Little Nook

If your garden is an irregular shape, don’t neglect those odd corners. Make the most of every nook and cranny.

Whether it’s investing in furniture that fits the contours of your garden, eking out extra storage space, or even making a feature of your nook with a bold object or a brightly coloured wall, don’t overlook a single cranny when space is at a premium.

8. Potted Plants

Potted plants are a great option for a smaller outside space where you may not have the luxury of flower beds. Even one or two can make a real impact and will add a sense of freshness and calm.

If you’re new to gardening, opt for plants that are easy to care for. Succulents and cacti are low maintenance but look great. If you prefer flowers, sweet peas and pansies are a good place to start.

Herbs are also easy to grow and as well as being handy in the kitchen they smell amazing.

9. Think Vertically

If ground space is limited, why not work upwards? Create a vertical garden by mounting pots or containers on the wall, or a trellis for climbing plants.

Encourage the eye upwards with hanging baskets or decorations at or above eye level. The more the eye travels, the bigger the space will seem.

If you’re working with a balcony and your height is restricted, consider planters or decorations that hang along the edge, again creating the illusion of more space.

Lighting is another element that can easily be installed up high, which will both add a feeling of height and free up floor space for other uses.

Discover our stylish outdoor and indoor lighting.

10. Make It Your Own

The most important part of decorating any garden or balcony – however big or small – is to create a space that feels like you. Even three square feet will feel special if they feel truly your own.

Add personality to your space with art, ornaments and accessories that you love and don’t be afraid to make a style statement. When a space feels thought about and cared for, size just isn’t an issue.