Tricks to Make Your Walled Courtyard Look Bigger
Sneaky ways to create the illusion of more space in your walled urban retreat
They say life is full of compromise, and that is definitely the case when it comes to wanting a big outdoor space while living in the city. You may very well be sleeping only a few inches away from your neighbours, but thanks to those thick, boundary walls, you probably feel a sense of privacy. When trying to make the most of your walled courtyard, it’s important to work within your limitations. The stark reality is, regardless of how many tricks you have up your sleeve, a small space does not physically get any bigger.
Use colour
Start by painting your boundary walls in a cool colour, like ‘Woodland Grey’ by Dulux, which is used here. Cooler colours fade away from the eye, making the courtyard look longer than it actually is.
Start by painting your boundary walls in a cool colour, like ‘Woodland Grey’ by Dulux, which is used here. Cooler colours fade away from the eye, making the courtyard look longer than it actually is.
You can further emphasise this effect by using warm colours like red and orange in the foreground of the courtyard. By adding bright furnishings, cushions or plantings with bright flowers, for example, your eyes will see the warm colours close by and cool colours far away, resulting in the illusion of distance.
More: The Best Paints and Colours Under the Australian Sun
More: The Best Paints and Colours Under the Australian Sun
Think about your flooring
When it comes to choosing your flooring, avoid large format sizes. Giant pavers or wide decking boards will only make the courtyard seem smaller.
More: Outdoor Surfacing Ideas With a Difference
When it comes to choosing your flooring, avoid large format sizes. Giant pavers or wide decking boards will only make the courtyard seem smaller.
More: Outdoor Surfacing Ideas With a Difference
Turn your brown thumb green
Large oversized plants and trees are great in the right backyard, but only help to create clutter and close in a small backyard. Use an interesting plant palette but keep it small to medium in size. Use large leaf, taller plants closer to the boundaries, such as Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ or walking iris (Neomarica gracilis) and finer leaf, small plants in the foreground, such as a clipped littleleaf boxwood (Buxus microphylla) or Westringia ‘Jarvis Gem’.
Large oversized plants and trees are great in the right backyard, but only help to create clutter and close in a small backyard. Use an interesting plant palette but keep it small to medium in size. Use large leaf, taller plants closer to the boundaries, such as Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ or walking iris (Neomarica gracilis) and finer leaf, small plants in the foreground, such as a clipped littleleaf boxwood (Buxus microphylla) or Westringia ‘Jarvis Gem’.
Texture, like colour, affects perceived distance, too. Fine textured plants tend to reflect more light and stand out to the eye, so use them in the foreground. On the other hand, coarse foliage tends to have a lot of gaps and holes, resulting in dark spots and shadows. These plants tend to not stand out in the garden, making them great background plants.
You can also turn your boring boundary walls from a negative into a positive by growing climbing plants on them. Instead of staring at a bare masonry wall, the plant will draw your attention upwards. The climber will create height like a regular tree would without encroaching on valuable floor space. Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) or Climbing Fig (Ficus pumila) are classic choices, however, if you are after something slightly more unique, try a climbing rose or bougainvillea instead.
Light it up
The right lighting can bring a small courtyard to life at night. By drawing attention to the best aspects of the space, you make the not-so appealing areas seemingly disappear. Tastefully illuminate the foreground and seating area so it can be used after dark. Strategically place up-lights on feature plants and on the boundary plants but not directly onto the boundary walls. By not drawing attention to the walls, they will fade away into the background making the space appear larger.
The right lighting can bring a small courtyard to life at night. By drawing attention to the best aspects of the space, you make the not-so appealing areas seemingly disappear. Tastefully illuminate the foreground and seating area so it can be used after dark. Strategically place up-lights on feature plants and on the boundary plants but not directly onto the boundary walls. By not drawing attention to the walls, they will fade away into the background making the space appear larger.
Furnish wisely
Picking small, light, and easy to manoeuvre furniture is key. Be mindful of the space you have to work with and don’t fill it entirely with furnishings. There’s no point in putting oversized or heavy outdoor furniture in a tight space – you won’t be able to shuffle pieces around easily when needed, and they’ll make everything look crammed.
Picking small, light, and easy to manoeuvre furniture is key. Be mindful of the space you have to work with and don’t fill it entirely with furnishings. There’s no point in putting oversized or heavy outdoor furniture in a tight space – you won’t be able to shuffle pieces around easily when needed, and they’ll make everything look crammed.
While a big outdoor lounge setting might seem appealing, keep in mind what the courtyard is predominantly used for. If you often use the space for entertaining, keep it free and include pieces that are easy to move around, like fold-away chairs.
Add a mirror
Another great trick is to use a mirror somewhere in the courtyard. Install the mirror on the rear boundary wall of the courtyard, behind any planting. It will look like the garden is endless, as opposed to looking like a mirror has been placed somewhere simply for an aesthetic purpose.
Another great trick is to use a mirror somewhere in the courtyard. Install the mirror on the rear boundary wall of the courtyard, behind any planting. It will look like the garden is endless, as opposed to looking like a mirror has been placed somewhere simply for an aesthetic purpose.
Keep it tidy
A simple clean-up won’t cost you a cent and will make the space crisp and clutter-free. Often gardens with high walls will be heavily shaded, resulting in dampness, so sweep up all garden waste to avoid that wet, messy leaf build up. Look at the outdoor space and ask yourself, “Do I really use all this stuff?” If the answer is no, get rid of it – you’ll be amazed at how much space that junk is taking up.
Finally, keep all plants healthy and pruned. If the garden is looking its best, nobody’s going to be paying attention to how small the space actually is.
TELL US
Do you have a walled courtyard? How have you made the most of its space?
MORE TIPS FOR YOUR COURTYARD
14 Courtyard Updates You’ll Thank Yourself For
How to Make Your Courtyard Sing on Sunny, Summer Days
Get More Out of Your Small Courtyard With Smart Planning
A simple clean-up won’t cost you a cent and will make the space crisp and clutter-free. Often gardens with high walls will be heavily shaded, resulting in dampness, so sweep up all garden waste to avoid that wet, messy leaf build up. Look at the outdoor space and ask yourself, “Do I really use all this stuff?” If the answer is no, get rid of it – you’ll be amazed at how much space that junk is taking up.
Finally, keep all plants healthy and pruned. If the garden is looking its best, nobody’s going to be paying attention to how small the space actually is.
TELL US
Do you have a walled courtyard? How have you made the most of its space?
MORE TIPS FOR YOUR COURTYARD
14 Courtyard Updates You’ll Thank Yourself For
How to Make Your Courtyard Sing on Sunny, Summer Days
Get More Out of Your Small Courtyard With Smart Planning
Here are a few simple tricks that can help create the illusion of space, and get you outside enjoying your courtyard more.