SMALL GARDEN DESIGN • EXETER
Small Garden Design • Exeter
Small Garden Design · Courtyard · Exeter
Small Garden Design • Exeter
Small Garden • Design Ideas • Exeter
GETTING STARTED…
Courtyard Gardens Exeter ⋅ Small Garden Design
For many. You may live in a town or city. You may have had an or want an extension.
Perhaps you live in a new building with an economically sized garden. Or you may have installed an outdoor office. Which has compromised your garden space. For whatever reason, you will need a small garden design.
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WHY SMALL GARDEN DESIGN • EXETER
• Maybe you live in the city. In a terrace house.
• Or maybe a flat with garden space. Or a new build. Your space is limited.
• You want to make the most of what you’ve got.
DESIGN • YOUR DREAM GARDEN
Design your dream garden. Create a place to relax in. Entertainment is for family & friends. Add Plants and greenery.
CREATE A LIST
Keep the design simple. Create a list of what you need. A focal point for interest. Some storage. A small shed.
• Relaxation Area
• Lawn · For Pets And Kids
• Storage · Bespoke Sheds
• Seating With Storage
• Low Maintenance Design
You may want an area to relax in. For family and friends. A paved seating area with zone lighting.
Maybe decking for an uneven or slopping garden design.
• Natural Paving
• Decking
NATURAL STONE PAVING
Where space is limited. Natural stone paving is a great option for your garden design.
Cables can be laid for zoned lighting.
DECKING • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
Decking is a great option for uneven ground. Garden designs on a slope and gardens with bifold doors.
ADD • LOW MAINTENANCE
© Courtyard ⋅ Small Garden Design ⋅ Exeter
Plants to soften the hard landscaping. You’ll probably want a low-maintenance garden. Spend more time relaxing. Than gardening!
LAWNS • ARTIFICIAL GRASS
If you want a lawn area. An area for children and pets to play in. For a small garden design. A low-maintenance artificial lawn is a good option. Child and pet-friendly.
WHY ARTIFICIAL GRASS?
Extremely realistic and natural-looking and great for a courtyard garden design. Artificial grass is virtually maintenance-free. Looking good all year round. Great for small gardens used heavily by children and pets.
• Forget The Shingle
• Realistic • Looks Like The Real Thing.
• Low Maintenance
ARTIFICIAL GRASS ∙ SMALL GARDEN DESIGN ⋅ EXETER
FORGET THE SHINGLE ∙ SMALL GARDEN DESIGN ∙ EXETER
Want to create a low-maintenance garden? Artificial grass may be the answer.
Forget the shingle. Let’s be honest. No one wants to walk barefoot over a garden full of sharp stones. And the cats love to use it as their local litter tray!
REALISTIC • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
Not only is artificial grass now affordable. Due to competition lowing its price. It’s extremely realistic in appearance. Forget that glossy plastic-looking grass. Found in the fruit and veg stores.
ARTIFICIAL GRASS LOOKS LIKE THE REAL THING
Even down to the brown thatch found in natural grass. The more you pay the better the quality. The premium grass tends to be softer to the tough and the thatch is thicker.
INSTALLING ARTIFICIAL GRASS ∙ SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
• Excavation • Small Garden Design Exeter
• Add The Crush Concrete
• Adding The Grano Dust
1# EXCAVATION ∙ SMALL GARDEN DESIGN ∙ SIDMOUTH ∙ EXMOUTH
The first stage is to excavate the ground. You will need a good base of crushed concrete for your artificial grass to lie upon.
This will offer the artificial grass great drainage.
And will also prevent the grass from sinking over time. Becoming a muddy mess.
2# Add The Crush Concrete ∙ Grano Dust ∙ Small Garden Design Exeter
The crushed concrete, known as type 1 MOT needs to be added. A weed membrane can be added above or below this layer. My preference is on the top of the grano dust.
CREATE A GOOD LEVEL • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
The MOT needs to be raked to a good level. The level can be checked using a long spirit level.
Once you are happy. The crushed concrete needs to be compacted using a ‘wacker’ plate.
It’s a good idea to add a good sprinkling of water. To help the MOT bind together.
ADDING THE GRANO DUST ∙ COURTYARD GARDENS ∙ EXETER
Finally before adding your artificial grass. Add a layer of grano dust. This will help you to achieve a smoother flat finish. For your artificial lawn!
IRRIGATION • BARK
Great for a small garden. Especially when you have a lot of pots and containers! Add bark to your beds. Keep the weeds out. And the water in!
Good quality bark will give a bed a smart natural appearance. The bark will trap moisture. Reducing the need for watering during those long hot summer months.
Bark also prevents weeds and encourages insects. Including worms. Keeping your soil rich in nutrients and healthy.
LOW MAINTENANCE PLANTS
Plants that grow slowly. Hardy and drought-resistant. Plants have a compact tidy shape.
• Hebes • Box Hedging.
• Mischanthus • Festuca
• Lavender • Thyme
• Colour ⋅ Agapanthus ⋅ Helium ⋅ Verbena
• Shrubs ⋅ Hydrangea ⋅ Phormium ⋅ Skimmia ⋅ Hebe
MORE PLANTING • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
Add some planting to your small garden design Exeter.
Add interesting foliage for shape and texture.
Combine key plants together to produce exciting planting combinations, great for any small garden.
PLANTING • GROUPS
Always plant in groups. Creating drifts of color. Add dark-colored shrubs.
ADD CONTRAST
Adding contrast. Creating a backdrop for hot colors.
Dark-colored shrubs: berberis, smoke bush, and phormiums.
TALL • COMPACT • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
Choose compact tall plants for your small garden design.
Avoid clumpy plants that will overpower your small garden design.
PLANTING COMBINATIONS ⋅ SMALL GARDEN DESIGN ⋅EXETER
Modern ⋅ Italian ⋅ allium ⋅ olive ½ standard ⋅ hebe ⋅ phormium ‘baby bronze’
Classic ⋅ contemporary ⋅ white astilbe ⋅ heuchera ⋅ acer ⋅ shield ferns ⋅ viburnum davidii ⋅ silver birch
ADD STORAGE · SMALL GARDEN IDEAS · EXETER
Bespoke Store • Small Garden Design Ideas
Get Creative with Storage
For many, storage is important when designing your garden. Especially in a small garden design.
STORAGE FOR?
A place to store tools. A place to store a bike. Or for storing overflow from the house.
Get creative with your storage. In your small garden design, Exeter.
STORAGE OPTIONS
• Off The Shelf Sheds.
• Bespoke Sheds.
• Under Seat Storage.
OFF-THE-SHELF SHEDS · SMALL GARDEN IDEAS · EXETER
Probably the most economical way to add storage. Here you really get what you pay for. Quality does vary. Many of the cheaper kits are poor quality.
Is it possible to modify a cheaper kit as you build the shed? And add extra timber to add extra strength and support.
BESPOKE SHEDS · SMALL GARDEN DESIGN · EXETER
Why not design and construct your own shed? You will get exactly what you want. And is great if you have a small awkward space to fill. It will take you a little longer. And you will need some basic power tools.
It’s a good idea to price up the project before you start. As the timber prices can add up. And allow for wastage!
UNDER-SEAT STORAGE
It’s possible to construct a seating area with under-seat storage. Make sure the storage is watertight. You can cheat a little. And base the seat frame around a water-tight plastic storage box.
The downside is the seating can be somewhat uncomfortable. You will need to invest in some foam cushions!
CHOOSE A THEME · SMALL GARDEN DESIGN · EXETER
What Is A Garden Design Theme?
Choosing a theme for your garden design is a good starting point. Decide on the style of your garden.
A Theme will enable you to consistently choose your design elements. Your materials, your planting.
The Overall feel to your garden design.
Common themes include traditional garden design, Contemporary Garden design, and urban zen garden design. Quality materials and rich planting. Traditional garden design can take many forms. Straight formal lines work well. Sandstone paving looks great, add sleeper raised beds. Planting includes lavender, box hedging and bay trees. A traditional garden design always compliments a period property. Choose traditional materials. Sandstone or slate paving. Oak sleepers for raised beds. Add formal planting. Combine box hedging with topiary. Add drifts of color. Rudbeckia, agapanthus, and lavender. Again, think about timber-raised beds. Used trellis extends the height of fences and walls. Adding privacy. Add climbers to soften walls. Clematis is a climber that is quick to establish. And won’t run rampant. Wisteria is a classic in any garden. But is slow to grow in the first couple of years. Contemporary garden design works well in a small space in Exeter. Great for modern new builds. Subtle curves and modern landscaping materials work well. Porcelain is the new kid on the block. Modern and sleek in appearance SIMPLE PAVING • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER Add simple contemporary paving. Kandla grey sandstone. Or luxurious granite paving. Opt for strong straight lines with minimal fuss. Lay large single stones in a stretcher bond pattern. Porcelain paving is available in a variety of styles and colors. It’s hard-wearing and extremely stain-resistant. Raise beds are great for adding instant vertical greenery to your small garden design. Options include hard or softwood sleepers. Or white-rendered walls. Lighting works well. Lay cables before you render the walls. Next, think about the planting….. Softened the paving and raised beds with bold planting. Strong structural shapes. Hebes, box balls and festuca. With hot colors: crocosmia, alliums, and rudbeckia. And add some texture. Pennisetum grass, phormiums, and shield ferns. Maybe add some climbers on wires. White jasmine is a great evergreen climber. With a wonderful scent. Planting can include alliums, Bay standards, and grasses. This theme is a mix of traditional and contemporary. Decks look great. Especially with tropical planting. ADD NATURAL STONE PAVING Natural stone paving can be used to link key areas in your garden design. Planting includes tree ferns, grass, and phormiums. Informal and relaxing. Decked pathways linking lush rolling planting beds. Hidden areas create secluded sandstone seating areas. CREATE A WATER FEATURE • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN Add a small water feature to add sound and movement to your garden design. Planting most include grasses, echinacea, rudbeckia, and verbena. Why not add a tropical garden design? Great for milder gardens in the south of the country. Timber decking, Gravel paths, and raised beds. ADD LUSH PLANTING Planting is lush and rich. Tree ferns, ferns, grasses and phormiums. Add a splash of color with crocosmia and agapanthus. COMMON THEMES · SMALL GARDEN IDEAS · EXETER
TRADITIONAL GARDEN DESIGN · SMALL GARDEN IDEAS · EXETER
TRADITIONAL SMALL GARDEN DESIGN
ADD PLANTS
CONTEMPORARY · SMALL GARDEN IDEAS • EXETER
PORCELAIN PAVING
RAISED BEDS • VERTICAL GREENERY
ADD PLANTING
URBAN ZEN DESIGN · SMALL GARDEN IDEAS • EXETER
PRAIRIE GARDEN DESIGN · SMALL GARDEN IDEAS · EXETER
TROPICAL SMALL · SMALL GARDEN IDEAS • EXETER
CREATE A COURTYARD DESIGN
For many, a courtyard garden design conjures up a traditional Victorian terrace. Brick walls, a paved setting seating area, and raised beds. For most, space is precious. For many, a secluded area to relax is paramount.
SMALL GARDEN DESIGN ⋅ EXETER & EXMOUTH
© Exeter Landscape ⋅ courtyard gardens ⋅ small garden design ⋅ sidmouth ⋅ topsham ⋅ exmouth ·patio garden ideas
A sense of privacy is needed. Especially when dining out on those long hot summer nights.
COURTYARD • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN • EXETER
• Traditional Sandstone Paving.
• Sleeper Raised Beds.
• Reclaimed Materials.
SMALL GARDEN DESIGN IDEAS ON A BUDGET
Garden Ideas For Small Spaces · Court Yard Garden Design Exeter
MASK AREAS • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN
Mask unsightly areas in your garden. Update a tired fence or wall. Add a slatted fence, masking outbuilding, and sheds. Update your existing fences. Adding extra height for privacy in your garden design.
ADD A CONTEMPORARY SLATTED FENCE
Add a slatted fence to your small garden design or courtyard garden in Exeter.
Create a contemporary feel in your courtyard garden design. Create a focal point in your courtyard.
SLATTED FENCE FINISHES
⋅ Softwood ⋅ Hardwood
ADD CLIMBERS • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
Add vertical greenery by adding climbers or hedging to your courtyard garden. Soften existing walls and fences.
REDUCE BED WIDTH • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
Reducing where possible the width of your planting beds in your small garden. Increasing your small garden’s usable space.
FOLIAGE • SENT • EVER GREENS
Add color, foliage, and scent. Attach climbers to walls, fences, and outbuildings. Choose an evergreen climber for all-year interest in your small garden design all year round.
CLIMBERS FOR SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
⋅ White Jasmine ⋅ Passion Flower
HEDGES OF SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
⋅ Photinia ⋅ Copper Beech
USE YOUR SPACE WISELY · Space is at a premium in any new builds. For many resulting in a small gardening space. If properly designed. A small garden can be a blessing in disguise.
ADD RAISED BEDS · Raised beds will save space for planting. Especially in the surrounding seating areas. Avoid anything that blocks the centre of the garden. This will compromise changes to your seating area. When you move the seat for those all-important parties!
© Exeter Landscapes ⋅ small courtyard ideas
ADD FOCAL POINTS ⋅ SMALL GARDEN DESIGN • EXETER
© Exeter Landscapes ⋅ water features ⋅ courtyard gardens ⋅ small garden design ⋅ sidmouth ⋅ topsham ⋅ exmouth
WHAT IS A FOCAL POINT?
A focal point can be something to add interest to your garden design.
A focal point can lead the eye in your small garden design in exeter. Making your small garden appear larger.
PLANTS • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
Add specimen plants for the wow factor. Choose thin tall plants. Add vertical height to your small garden design st Exeter. While preserving the width of your court garden in Exeter.
Add a row of tall cypresses, pleached trees, or a cloud tree, in your small garden design Exeter.
WATER FEATURES • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
Create movement with water in your courtyard garden. Add a self-contained water feature.
A pump buried sump and drilled decorative stone or wall-mounted water sculpture.
Hide the sump with cobbles and planting. Add ambient lighting for evening entertaining.
FOCAL POINTS STONE
⋅ Fire Pits ⋅ Slatted Fences
⋅ Timber Arches ⋅ Bbq Areas
FOCAL POINTS PLANTS
⋅ Magnolia ⋅ Camellia
⋅ Pleached Trees ⋅ Olives
⋅ Acers ⋅ Tree Ferns ⋅ Silver Birch
VERTICAL GREENERY ⋅ ADD A SLATTED FENCING
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DESIGN A SEATING AREA
Create an outdoor seating area for relaxation and entertaining. In your small garden design area, Eexter.
ADD FURNITURE • MOVEABLE • BUILT-IN
Add movable furniture or built-in seating. Add a natural stone paving area for alfresco dining…
Create a comfortable-sized space. For 4 people allow a minimum of 3 x3m. With a cooking area allow 4 x4m.
KEEP YOUR PAVING SIMPLE • CLEAN
Keep paving simple. A strong bold look. Soften by planting. Add edging setts to frame beds and borders. Lighter paving stones will reflect more light. Useful in shady garden areas. Party well into the night. Add zoned ambient lighting and weatherproof sockets.
TRADITION PAVING • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
⋅ Sandstone ⋅ York Flags
⋅ Slate Paving ⋅ Black Limestone
CONTEMPORARY PAVING
⋅ Smooth Sandblast Sandstone
⋅ Granite ⋅ Kandula Grey Sandstone ⋅ Porcelain Tiles
BUDGETS • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN • EXETER
KEEP YOUR DESIGN SIMPLE
Don’t overcomplicate it. Keep your design simple and uncluttered.
Add paving with clean lines. Try maximizing your usable space. Make a list of things you want to include in your garden.
LANDSCAPING • PLANTING BUDGET
Make sure you have enough space. And budget for both your hard landscaping and planting in your small garden design.
RAISED BEDS • SMALL GARDEN DESIGN EXETER
Raised beds are great for creating privacy. Add additional planting height.
By adding lush dense foliage. Bamboo works well.
Giving your that Urban Zen feel. To your garden design.
ADD PRIVACY · COURTYARD GARDEN DESIGN
Raised beds are great for creating privacy. Add additional planting height. By adding lush dense foliage. Bamboo works well. Giving your that Urban Zen feel. To your garden design.
CREATE VERTICAL GREENERY • RAISED BEDS
Adding planted raised beds. Softens borders and will conserve. Your overall usable space. Brick and rendered blocks are great for constructing raised beds. Don’t forget the footing!
SOFTWOOD · OAK SLEEPERS · RAISED BEDS
Sleepers are the quickest and most versatile way. Of creating a raised bed in your courtyard garden design. Options include softwood and new oak sleepers. Softwood sleepers are great value for money. Oak Sleepers are longer lasting.
ADD PLANTING · SMALL GARDEN LANDSCAPING IDEAS
Add raised beds planting. Add some color and structural planting. Hebes, hostas, pennesetum grass and phormiums. Add color alliums, lavender, and crocosmia. For low maintenance. Add bark or decorative shingle.
CONTEMPORARY RETAINING WALLS
⋅ Brick ⋅ Natural Sandstone Setts ⋅ Oak Sleepers
TRADITIONAL RETAINING WALLS
⋅ Render Walls ⋅ K Render ⋅ Design Clad
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