SMALL SPACE. BIG POTENTIAL: URBAN GARDENING THAT WORKS
Image: A Chelsea roof garden terrace
Living in London often means trading square footage for skyline—and when it comes to outdoor space, many of us are working with less than we’d like. Courtyards, balconies, roof terraces, and basement lightwells are the norm, not the exception.
But here’s the good news: a small garden doesn’t have to feel small. With a little creativity (and a few clever tricks), even the most compact urban space can be transformed into something green, vibrant, and deeply satisfying.
STEP ONE: START PRACTICAL
Image: St James roof top terrace
Before diving into design, ask yourself:
What will I use this space for?
Is it visible from inside the house?
How easy is it to access?
Link your inside and outside spaces. Line up views through windows with focal points outside. A beautiful pot, sculpture, or dramatic plant framed in a window turns a small garden into a living picture.
Try and create drama in a small space. Mirrors can add depth and mystery, especially if partly veiled by foliage. Use lighting, particularly uplighting, to accentuate features such as pots or sculptures. Strong textures (which work well in confined spaces) are much emphasised by carefully placed lighting. Try luxuriant foliage or slatted trelliswork against white or brightly coloured stucco walls. Water and light combine well together. Water features can be very dramatic in confined spaces, and these days there are all sorts of possibilities that take up very little space. The sound of trickling water can add to the ambience of a small terrace.
USE MIRRORS
Image: Outdoor mirror feature
Mirrors bounce light and visually double your space. Tucked behind foliage, they add depth and a hint of mystery. Mirrors aren’t just for bathrooms—they work wonders outside too. Tucked behind trailing greenery, a mirror can add depth and intrigue to a small courtyard or narrow passage. It gives the illusion of space and catches the light in clever ways.
PLAY WITH LIGHTING
Image: A London city roof top
Lighting not only adds drama, but also extends the period during which you can use a garden. We often use firepits to add a strong focus; they are a great gathering point on cooler evenings and allow use of the garden well into the autumn. Up lighting a feature—whether a pot, tree, or wall—creates instant atmosphere and extends your garden’s usability into the night.
WATER ADDS LIFE
Image: London roof top garden
Water features don’t have to be grand. Compact, self-contained options bring a calming soundtrack to even the tiniest courtyard. Light and water together? Magical. You don’t need a pond to enjoy water in your garden. A compact feature—like a small fountain or rill—can bring soothing movement and gentle sound to a terrace or balcony. It softens the harshness of the urban environment and makes your garden feel more alive.
Horticultural considerations are of paramount importance. Remember the three basic needs of plants: water, light and nutrients. Consider installing a simple irrigation system -many of these are available over the counter at garden centres in kit form or can be installed at a reasonable cost by a competent gardener. Drainage is also important. Light is at a premium in courtyards and deep lightwells so choose plants carefully. Generally speaking, green-leaved plants will put up with lower light conditions than variegated or coloured foliage types.
Reserve silver and grey leaved plants for high light positions. In really dismal conditions, rely on foliage rather than flower and pick plants well adapted to such conditions such as ferns. Pockets of colour can always be introduced with bedding plants. Compost should be of good quality and, if possible, replaced on a regular basis (every 2-3 years for example).
On roof gardens you will also have to consider exposure. Use permeable structures, such as a close mesh trellis of horizontal battens, for shelter rather than solid screens such as glass; the more solid a windbreak is the more turbulence it will create. Seaside plants are well suited to these conditions. Combine them with decking and beach pebbles for a maritime feel. All in all, remember that the more you put into a small garden the more you will get out of it.
FINAL THOUGHTS: YOU GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN
Image: A Chelsea roof top garden
Small gardens require thought and care, but the results are deeply rewarding. The best ones are layered with personality, texture, and clever design.
More thought = more joy!
So whether you’re working with a tiny terrace or a shady basement nook, there’s always something you can do to bring it to life.
August 6, 2025
