Courtyard and Small Gardens

Turning small spaces into green outdoor spaces can sometimes be more challenging but it’s a design challenge I relish. They can really feel like an oasis in the city and places of calm, if they are thought out properly. I find people almost utilise small gardens more, perhaps because they have less garden to take for granted and the gardens often feel more like an additional room, for use to sit or dine in, or just to fill with plants.

As well as sharp design, good planting is often really key. Plants have to really work to earn their place in small gardens, so long flowering with scent or evergreen is great. Climbers to fill vertical spaces is useful. Bulbs are great for hits of colour throughout the year as well. Sometimes sticking to one colour works well, making the space feel calmer.

Design tricks like mirrors can look great. And a water-feature can also make a real difference - bringing the noise and movement of water into a space, which can be heard through an open door, is very soothing. See the Greenwich garden below, which has both of these elements.

Here a few of the courtyards or small gardens I’ve designed and installed over the years.