11 Clever Tricks With Side Gardens
No matter how narrow or dark, don't let that precious outdoor space down the side of your house go to waste
As our houses become larger we narrow down our options for garden space, literally. But those skinny side gardens have more potential than you realise. If you’re stuck for ideas on how to use any leftover outdoor space at the side of your house, take a look at these lovely ideas and get inspired.
2. Squeeze in a lap pool
Lap pools are ideal for narrow spaces and the addition of a spa at one end turns this Sydney side garden in NSW into an inviting oasis. Tall bamboo and mondo grass in the planters soften the high walls.
Need some expert advice on making the most of a small garden? Find a landscape architect or designer near you on Houzz for professional advice
Lap pools are ideal for narrow spaces and the addition of a spa at one end turns this Sydney side garden in NSW into an inviting oasis. Tall bamboo and mondo grass in the planters soften the high walls.
Need some expert advice on making the most of a small garden? Find a landscape architect or designer near you on Houzz for professional advice
3. Add a private bedroom garden
What could be more delightful than your own secluded outdoor space alongside the bedroom? Here, the largely green planting creates a serene outlook for its owners to enjoy while lazing about on a Sunday morning.
What could be more delightful than your own secluded outdoor space alongside the bedroom? Here, the largely green planting creates a serene outlook for its owners to enjoy while lazing about on a Sunday morning.
4. Obtain privacy with hanging plants and ornaments
When neighbours are very close to the boundary, as in this Perth garden in WA, hanging plants and other decorative pieces can create a layered screening effect. A climbing plant trained horizontally along the wooden archway adds another layer to the screen. The great thing about this idea is that it lets light penetrate while ensuring the garden still has a sense of privacy and seclusion.
How Do I… Choose Fast-Growing Privacy Plants?
When neighbours are very close to the boundary, as in this Perth garden in WA, hanging plants and other decorative pieces can create a layered screening effect. A climbing plant trained horizontally along the wooden archway adds another layer to the screen. The great thing about this idea is that it lets light penetrate while ensuring the garden still has a sense of privacy and seclusion.
How Do I… Choose Fast-Growing Privacy Plants?
5. Make pathways interesting
Side paths don’t need to be boring. At this home, crazy paving creates a delightful pathway with plenty of texture and interest, and the lightness of the stone lifts the shady area. The green and pink planting palette beautifully complements the paving materials.
Side paths don’t need to be boring. At this home, crazy paving creates a delightful pathway with plenty of texture and interest, and the lightness of the stone lifts the shady area. The green and pink planting palette beautifully complements the paving materials.
6. Make viewing courtyards
When a space is too small to inhabit outside, think about how it can used to enhance indoor spaces. This compact Melbourne courtyard in Victoria provides a tranquil outlook from the interior of the house.
When a space is too small to inhabit outside, think about how it can used to enhance indoor spaces. This compact Melbourne courtyard in Victoria provides a tranquil outlook from the interior of the house.
7. Vary ground surfaces
The use of timber boardwalks, slate paving and different-size rocks adds excitement to the journey along the side of this house in Perth, WA. The subtropical planting of a scented frangipani and cycads strengthens its exotic appeal.
The use of timber boardwalks, slate paving and different-size rocks adds excitement to the journey along the side of this house in Perth, WA. The subtropical planting of a scented frangipani and cycads strengthens its exotic appeal.
8. Select plants to fit the space
Upright plants, such as bamboo and bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) in narrow planters soften and reduce the impact of the height of these tall boundary walls and fences. Where space is even tighter, you could also train climbers to grow up the walls to add greenery.
Upright plants, such as bamboo and bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) in narrow planters soften and reduce the impact of the height of these tall boundary walls and fences. Where space is even tighter, you could also train climbers to grow up the walls to add greenery.
9. Add a vertical water feature
Distract attention from tall imposing fences along the boundary with an upright water feature that will fit easily into a narrow space. Painting the fence a dark colour ties it into the stone surrounds of the water so they all read as one element and contrast beautifully with the green foliage.
How Do I… Hide an Ugly Garden Fence?
Distract attention from tall imposing fences along the boundary with an upright water feature that will fit easily into a narrow space. Painting the fence a dark colour ties it into the stone surrounds of the water so they all read as one element and contrast beautifully with the green foliage.
How Do I… Hide an Ugly Garden Fence?
10. Build pergolas to connect walls
Covered outdoor spaces have an intimate feeling about them. By connecting the brick walls of this side garden with a pergola with two large brick columns, the owners have created a room-like space ideal for outdoor living. The climber helps to soften all of that brickwork.
Covered outdoor spaces have an intimate feeling about them. By connecting the brick walls of this side garden with a pergola with two large brick columns, the owners have created a room-like space ideal for outdoor living. The climber helps to soften all of that brickwork.
11. Turn high fences into lovely features
High walls and fences tend to make side gardens feel gloomy and unattractive. Rather than seeing them as problem areas, use such structures as opportunities to add a personal decorative touch to your garden (with your neighbours’ okay). Paint is a low-cost way to decorate fences and walls and can, of course, be easily changed.
Your turn
How have you made the most of your side garden? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Need more gardening advice for small outdoor spaces? Read these Expert Tips for Planning a Welcoming Small Front Yard
High walls and fences tend to make side gardens feel gloomy and unattractive. Rather than seeing them as problem areas, use such structures as opportunities to add a personal decorative touch to your garden (with your neighbours’ okay). Paint is a low-cost way to decorate fences and walls and can, of course, be easily changed.
Your turn
How have you made the most of your side garden? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Need more gardening advice for small outdoor spaces? Read these Expert Tips for Planning a Welcoming Small Front Yard
By choosing furniture of the right proportions, this narrow space can accommodate two people comfortably (with a cup of tea or glass of wine in hand), with room to spare for some potted plants as well.