Monday, May 19, 2014
Monday, May 12, 2014
Ideas & Inspirations for Small Spaces
A small space means different things to different
people. For me, an apartment dweller, a small space means the 4’ x 4’ concrete
stoop outside my door. No matter what “small” may be, small does not equal
disadvantage. Small spaces are a chance to create magical places with elements
that would otherwise be lost in a larger landscape. The following are 10 simple
steps for making the most out of a small space:
1)
Create Depth. Layering plants
creates depth, and causes an area to appear larger than it really is. Color
also helps to achieve this affect; placing brightly colored plants in the front
of the border draws attention, making everything else recede into the
background, once again creating depth and the illusion of a grander scale.
2)
Borrow from Your Neighbor. If the
guy next door has some good looking plants that are readily visible, don’t be
afraid to take advantage of them. Strategically placing plants to frame the
desirable views from the neighbor’s yard and block out the undesirables will
make the yard seem to extend further than it actually does.
3)
Outdoor Rooms. This may seem counter intuitive, but dividing a small area into different “rooms” prohibits
the eyes from taking in everything all at once, making it seem larger than it
really is. A couple of ways to incorporate this would be to construct walls or seating
walls, use walkways, plants, and contrasting textures to delineate rooms.
4)
Focal Points. Sculpture,
fountains, unique plants or interesting views are all examples of possible
focal points. Positioning one or all of these throughout the garden will
provide interest to draw a visitor through the garden, once again making the
space appear to be not quite as small.
5)
The Magic is In the Details. Small spaces afford the opportunity to use plants and materials that
would otherwise be lost in a larger setting. These areas are perfect to exhibit
plants and flowers that have a more delicate or refined architecture, fragrant
flowers, or paving materials that are a little more exquisite. Materials that
would otherwise be too costly to use on large scale projects can be showcased
in these cozy little spots.
6)
K.I.S.S. That being said about how
wonderful details can be, it is also very easy to get caught up in them and
lose sight of the big picture. Simplicity through rhythm and a set palette will
yield much better results than a scattering of one of everything.
7)
Double Duty. Get more bang
for your space by using a planter that doubles for a table, a bench that
doubles as a planter, or patio furniture that transforms into sculpture.
8)
Scale. Always know the mature size
of a plant before it goes into the ground- it will save a lot of time, expense,
and heartache later on. Even if the plant does not get so big for the yard that
it needs to be cut down, it can still restrict beneficial views, or simply make
the garden look out of balance. Properly planned average to large plants can
create a cozy space; otherwise, there are many dwarf varieties that were bred
just for these kinds of situations.
9)
Seasonal Impact. Containers are
great for small spaces, especially if having a lawn area is required for
children or pets. They are easy to relocate to accommodate extra seating for
larger groups, easy to keep weed free, come in many different colors and
textures, and easy to switch out to provide season long impact. Containers are
also great for planting edibles; imagine walking out the door to pick some
fresh veggies for dinner!
10) Go Vertical. Make the most out of the yard by selecting plants that have more
upright and columnar forms. There are also many containers that go vertically
instead of horizontally, and climbing plants that can be trellised along walls.
Trees can even be trained to grow flat against a wall; this is called espalier.
Living walls are works of art that can be placed inside or out, providing
beautiful plants and excellent discussion pieces.
Small spaces can be a lot of fun and hold substantial
potential. The only thing limiting them is our imaginations and misconceived
notions.
By Anne Reyes
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