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Very Small Garden Ideas On a Budget

These small garden ideas prove that there’s no limit when it comes to outdoor space upgrades. The next thing you know, your square footage plot now plays a bigger role in your property.

These garden design ideas don’t have to be expensive, either. A bit of creativity and a few tricks open new possibilities. Whether dealing with a narrow space or a cramped covered patio, this guide will give you the power to do so!

Small Budget Garden Ideas

Gardening doesn’t have to cost a fortune, but the rewards are tremendous. Seasonal fresh greens are served at the dining table and ecological benefits, to name a few.

But if you’re short on backyard space, you may find it challenging to grow on your own. That’s why being resourceful is key. Regardless of the plot size, there are still ways to create a beautiful yet low-cost garden.

Keep reading to explore what you could come up with!

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1. Planter with lattice trellis

Vertical gardens are among the popular growing methods to maximise compact spaces. This gardening technique involves cultivating on walls and roofs in various styles. A great example of this is using structures like trellises.

If you live in the city, a planter designed with a lattice trellis will look amazing in your urban garden. It has a 2-in-1 purpose: a planter for the herbs and a trellis for climbers, which also doubles as a privacy screen.

Planter with lattice trellis

(Image Credit: Flickr)

2. Corner pergola

Make use of every inch, including the corners, by creating an extra tucked seating space. For this, a mini pergola is your best bet – decorate it with terracotta pots with greenery to inject some colour. It’s a simple way to transform a plain nook into a relaxing hideaway!

Tucked wooden column pergola
Image Credit: Geograph UK

3. Grass-filled landscape

Perfect for both front and backyards, a grass addition to the landscape is sure to create drama. Ornamental grasses, for example, add height and mix well with flowering plants. Or topiaries and square bushes, making tiny plots feel less enclosed with their tidy look.

Front backyard lush greenery landscape
Image Credit: Pxhere

4. Grow a wide range of garden plants

Use plants of different heights and colours to disguise boundary walls and fencing. This planting trick is a charming way to evoke a cottage garden vibe in your humble yard. You can add comfortable seating into the mix to admire the fruits of your labour.

DIY bench planter with trellis
Image Credit: Flickr, Caliper Studio

5. Rustic garden steps

For a low-budget yet intriguing garden focal point, recreate these rustic garden steps. Recycle your old ones and use them as a base to achieve a tiered planting. The extra height means they’ll take up less space than regular garden beds. At the same time, you’ll have steps!

Old stone garden steps
Image Credit: Public Domain Pictures

6. Outdoor mirror addition

A mirror does the magic of making your small outdoor living space appear bigger. It also reflects more light and thus makes your garden feel airier and less enclosed. Mirrors work in most garden layout ideas.

Blue mirror hung on a black garden fence
Image Credit: Flickr, Nancy Regan

7. Middlesized garden deck

Different flooring styles help create defined areas and make them feel more spacious. Consider a decking for one of your budget garden ideas! Try a tiered look with a lawn spot for playing, and introduce brick paths in between, for instance.

Small decked patio with a dining set
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

8. Vertical space gardening

Take your planting off the ground with vertical gardening. Grow upwards instead of outwards, be it indoors or outdoors. Use shelving, trellis, or other systems to support evergreen garden plants.

Vertical garden trellis with a hanging planter
Image Credit: Flickr, Gail Langellotto

9. Hanging colourful flowers

Brighten up an old colander with some paint and use it as your hanging basket. The draining holes are perfect for allowing excess water to seep through.

This clever and budget-friendly idea adds a pop of colour to your outdoor space. At the same time, it showcases your creativity and resourcefulness in garden design.

Hanging Geraniums in terracotta pots
Image Credit: Rawpixel

10. Vertical vegetable garden

Grow your own kitchen garden with herbs and veggies using a trellis or in window boxes. Be the living proof that vegetable gardens can thrive even without an actual plot to grow!

By going vertical, you showcase the endless possibilities of gardening. This also proves that you can create a thriving green space regardless of limited room.

Vertical vegetable garden inside a greenhouse
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

11. Small courtyard garden side

Create a comfortable spot to relax in a side yard. Use a light colour scheme to give a sense of space and airiness. And for a low-cost privacy option or covering a plain wall or garden fence, opt for bamboo screening.

Cosy side backyard with garden chairs
Image Credit: Flickr, Seán A. O’Hara

12. Incorporate outdoor furniture

You don’t need a large space to create a relaxing outdoor environment. All you need is a garden furniture piece to enjoy the summer months and get your garden decor done. Go for a comfortable sofa and a tidy lawn look for a minimalist approach.

Graphite Rattan Effect Sofa with Grey Cushions
Graphite Rattan Effect Sofa with Grey Cushions

13. Miniature Zen garden

The trickling sound of a water feature is perfect for helping you relax in your zen outdoor space. Add a variety of simple and colourful flowers and garden plants for a splash of greenery.

Roji garden
Image Credit: Flickr, Katie

14. A living green wall

If you like greenery but have little room to plant on the floor, try the walls! Living wall structural plants can spruce up your outdoor space and add extra privacy.

Living wall
Image Credit: Flickr, Loozrboy

15. Open simple garden

For your plain wall, brighten it with low garden maintenance plants and climbers. Add a bench so you can sit out and enjoy the serenity of your mini forest garden.

Open simple garden with cottage vibe
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

16. Rely on a mini garden shed

A tall, narrow shed is the perfect size for a middlesized garden. Keep all your gardening tools in one place, and never worry about clutter!

BillyOh Master Tall Store
BillyOh Master Tall Store

17. DIY vertical space planter

Design your own vertical planter to keep the cost down. All you need is some wood, and the results could be amazing! This is a great solution if you’re short on space for planting.

Leafy vegetable planted in a vertical plastic bottle planter
Image Credit: Pxhere

18. Cultivate on the balcony

The right small garden ideas can get you to a balcony gardening habit even with no pro-green thumb skills. A container garden is a great starting point, e.g. with seasonal flowers. Then decorate with cosy bench seating and an outdoor rug to make the most out of the tiny area.

A variety of balcony garden pots in different sizes
Image Credit: Flickr, Nelson Pavlosky

19. DIY tiered planters

Use some leftover fencing to create your own planters. Go for a tiered-style planter if you’re trying to save space but still want to add some colour.

Wooden tiered planters near a balcony railing
Image Credit: Flickr, Tom Carmony

20. Wall string trellis

Inject cheery and bright colours to a rather boring wall with a string trellis! Your climber plants will surely love this growing spot. Even better, you can make one your own easily and get creative with the shapes.

Wall string trellis using bamboo
Image Credit: Flickr, Doug Beckers

21. Corner shed

A corner shed is an excellent way to make use of a small space and create additional storage. Tuck in one in your country garden and store all your equipment out of sight.

BillyOh Expert Tongue and Groove Corner Workshop Shed
BillyOh Expert Tongue and Groove Corner Workshop Shed

22. L-shaped sofa

An L-shaped sofa will give your small alfresco dining a modern look. Have a look at this rattan 5-seater corner sofa set, for example. It’s a worthwhile investment that can furnish your small garden layout ideas in style.

Rattan Effect 5-Seater Corner Sofa & Table Set
Rattan Effect 5-Seater Corner Sofa & Table Set

23. Outdoor lighting solutions

Add soft lighting to your small backyard to make it feel a little cosier. For a magical touch, consider hanging fairy lights on the fence, railings or on the tree. If you’re considering investing soon, check out our garden lighting range today!

Biard Adjustable Chain Pendant Lamp Outdoor Light
Biard Adjustable Chain Pendant Lamp Outdoor Light

24. Minimalist modern backyard

Use minimalist furniture and light colours to make a small space feel less enclosed. Add tall trees to soften a harsh wall and for elongation.

Minimalist modern backyard
Image Credit: Flickr, Green Energy Futures

25. Side flower beds

Leave the centre of your garden clear to give off a more spacious feel. Place all your container garden plants and flowers to the sides to brighten up plain fencing.

Side flower bed
Image Credit: Flickr, William Warby

26. Zen fountain

Nothing beats relaxing in your garden while listening to the sound of running water. A modern bowl-style water feature fountain makes the perfect finishing touches. It’s easy to install and requires less maintenance than a pond and takes up much less space.

Modern Zen pebble fountain
Image Credit: Flickr, Choo Yut Shing

27. DIY wood pallet deck

Create your own patio decking using recycled pallets. Add some splashes of colour with planters, a lick of paint on the pallets, and a colourful umbrella for shade.

DIY wood pallet deck
Image Credit: Pxhere

28. Herb garden on corner

Use simple planters and some old steps to create a tiered planter for your corner kitchen garden. It’s easy to set up, yet it adds some appeal and greenery to the space.

Herb garden in recycled containers
Image Credit: Flickr, aimee rivers

29. DIY bench and pergola

You’ll need a couple of wood and patience, but the outcome will be a nice place to sit in your sun garden and relax. Add climbing plants to shield yourself from the partial garden sun.

Pergola with built-in bench
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

30. Gravel garden path and flowers

Gravel looks great as a substitute for grass and can make a small garden look very classy. It’s also an inexpensive way to transform your outdoor space.

Gravel path and flowers
Image Credit: Flickr, Phil Bartle

31. Japanese lanterns

Transform the look of your garden with zen lanterns or sculptures to help you relax the moment you step outside.

Japanese garden lantern
Image Credit: Flickr, Choo Yut Shing

32. Natural stone garden bed

A simple garden bed made of natural stone can be a landscape game-changer. It’s easy and inexpensive to make yourself too! A gravel base, for instance, is great for drainage and helps to keep weeds at bay. This concept also looks good in a courtyard or contemporary garden.

33. Pallet garden table

The possibilities are endless when it comes to wooden pallets. Build a patio dining or coffee table, for instance, to enjoy meals outside. Complete the look with soft and colourful cushions for added comfort.

Pallet coffee table with matching sofa with cushions
Image Credit: Pxhere

34. Balcony hanging pots

If you live in an apartment or flat, introduce a potted garden to your balcony with hanging plant pots. A few attached to the metal rod will make them a great outdoor feature.

Balcony hanging terracotta pots
Image Credit: Pexels

35. Relax in a hammock

If your outdoor space is too small for garden furniture, a hammock can serve the same purpose for relaxation. A stylish hammock adds that cosy factor to your space, best for an afternoon nap or getting lost in a good book.

A view of a person's feet in the garden hammock
Image Credit: Flickr, Mr Thinktank

36. Decorate it with globe string lights

No matter how small your patio is, string or fairy lights in the mix can light up the mood. Hang them on fences or under a pergola. For maintenance-free lighting solutions, go for solar lights.

BillyOh Solar Powered Lantern String Lights
BillyOh Solar Powered Lantern String Lights

37. Dead landscape nooks makeover

In a small country garden, it’s easy to overlook the areas that don’t get a lot of attention. This includes the corners, but you can turn those spots into unexpected focal points. Add a centrepiece fruit tree, flower pots, box hedging and a wide range of plants for interest.

Lush corner garden landscape
Image Credit: Flickr, Winderlane

38. Welcome wildlife

Even a tiny bird bath with bird feeders can help attract birds, even better if you have a large one! To welcome more wildlife in your yard, add a bug hotel and pollinator-friendly plants.

Bird in the garden bird bath
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

39. Stick with natural garden materials

Grey and green combinations would look naturally pleasing for your country garden. You also won’t need much materials or fixtures – lush foliage, shrubs, trees, and an alcove seating will do the magic!

Lush, jungle-like backyard
Image Credit: Pxhere

40. Create a seasonal garden

No productive garden is complete without bedding for a veggie or herb garden or blooms. With a seasonal garden, you make the most of your plot all year round. You’ll also be able to see how much your garden has changed throughout the year!

Ecole du Breuil Seasonal Garden
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Small Garden Ideas: Round-up

It can be a real challenge to revamp a small garden space when you’re on a tight budget. Let alone having to think of what you can do to make the most out of the limited plot you have available. But not anymore with these small garden ideas!

If you’re furniture and garden building hunting, why not add some pieces from BillyOh? Just click the button below to have a look around!

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FAQs

First, you need to plan; sketch what you have in mind, measure out the garden, and shop around for materials and reclaimed furniture.

 

Set your budget, get creative on the cheap and maximise the space.

Transforming a small outdoor space is way easier than larger gardens. All you need is plenty of inspiring design ideas like the ones in this guide to to make more of your backyard.

The possibilities are endless for small garden design ideas! Dedicate a blank wall for your art and make it a gallery wall.

 

Or create a mini kitchen garden, mini yard cinema spot with outdoor lighting, set up a private bar, or a kid's corner.

Light, cool-coloured coat of paint shades can help make a small landscape design feel larger. While bright, hot colours and darker shades can make the space feel the opposite.

 

The same goes with plants.

Planting a tree, large shrubs, or vines for green walls is one of the budget garden ideas to add height to the landscape. You'll have to wait for a while for the plants to grow, though.

 

We recommend opting for fast-growing and low-maintenance plants. Not only can they add height to your small space, but also shade and privacy.