How to Make the Most of Your Courtyard Garden
Simple ideas to make every centimetre of your courtyard work beautifully, from surfaces to seating
Claudia De Yong
20 April 2019
Houzz UK contributor and award-winning landscape and garden designer. Claudia de Yong Designs offers a consultancy and design service for the private and corporate client. We are also able to source anything for the garden from plants to pots, paving and architectural features . Please visit my new online shop for garden products.
Houzz UK contributor and award-winning landscape and garden designer. Claudia de... More
As courtyard gardens are often on the small side, it pays to approach them as you would a room in your home, looking at flooring, paint colours and seating to create an attractive alfresco area. Take a look at these ideas for maximising space and light.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Hit the roof
If you want to plant trees in a small area, try some umbrella-style specimens. The branches will eventually knit together to form a canopy, creating a secluded feeling for outdoor dining.
Here, four plum trees have been planted in a square. The branches create a roof above the table, which makes the dining area feel shaded and intimate.
Find a local garden designer for your outdoor project.
If you want to plant trees in a small area, try some umbrella-style specimens. The branches will eventually knit together to form a canopy, creating a secluded feeling for outdoor dining.
Here, four plum trees have been planted in a square. The branches create a roof above the table, which makes the dining area feel shaded and intimate.
Find a local garden designer for your outdoor project.
Boost the light
A sunken courtyard can sometimes be a little dark, so to brighten yours, paint surfaces in a pale colour and stick to a palette of green and white for the planting. Choose pale paving, too, which will act as a blank canvas against which to showcase furniture and plants.
Neat furniture can also help to keep the space feeling light. Here, the built-in floating bench allows you to view the space underneath, helping to make the area feel as roomy as possible.
A sunken courtyard can sometimes be a little dark, so to brighten yours, paint surfaces in a pale colour and stick to a palette of green and white for the planting. Choose pale paving, too, which will act as a blank canvas against which to showcase furniture and plants.
Neat furniture can also help to keep the space feeling light. Here, the built-in floating bench allows you to view the space underneath, helping to make the area feel as roomy as possible.
Open your heart
Free up the central area of your small courtyard to give it an airy feel by constructing seating around the perimeter. Built-in benches can also double up as valuable storage to maximise space.
Consider tiered planters behind the seating, as here, as they will allow you to grow a variety of plants, including climbers, for added height and a lush feel.
Free up the central area of your small courtyard to give it an airy feel by constructing seating around the perimeter. Built-in benches can also double up as valuable storage to maximise space.
Consider tiered planters behind the seating, as here, as they will allow you to grow a variety of plants, including climbers, for added height and a lush feel.
Extend daylight hours
The sheltered nature of a courtyard garden could offer the possibility of extending the time you spend outside.
Take advantage of this by incorporating a cosy seating area, and add even more warmth with a firepit.
Here, the seating area is bordered by evergreen planting, which will help to make the space feel secluded all year round.
The sheltered nature of a courtyard garden could offer the possibility of extending the time you spend outside.
Take advantage of this by incorporating a cosy seating area, and add even more warmth with a firepit.
Here, the seating area is bordered by evergreen planting, which will help to make the space feel secluded all year round.
Look to the sky
Maximise space in a courtyard by installing beams overhead along which plants can grow.
In this small central courtyard, the open space above resembles a large skylight. Wooden crossbeams have been added for climbing plants to twist around and, thanks to the addition of hanging lanterns, the space resembles an indoor garden room.
Discover small urban garden ideas.
Maximise space in a courtyard by installing beams overhead along which plants can grow.
In this small central courtyard, the open space above resembles a large skylight. Wooden crossbeams have been added for climbing plants to twist around and, thanks to the addition of hanging lanterns, the space resembles an indoor garden room.
Discover small urban garden ideas.
Plant vertically
If you want to be surrounded by greenery in a tiny space, grow plants up the walls or fences. You could do this by hanging up pots, growing climbers up a trellis, or creating a living wall.
In this compact courtyard, the plants on the wall have freed up the floor area for dining and lounging, while still offering the benefits of a garden.
If you want to be surrounded by greenery in a tiny space, grow plants up the walls or fences. You could do this by hanging up pots, growing climbers up a trellis, or creating a living wall.
In this compact courtyard, the plants on the wall have freed up the floor area for dining and lounging, while still offering the benefits of a garden.
Make room for play
Even in a compact area, it’s often still possible to incorporate areas where small children can play. In this garden, the designers have built a sandpit into the cedar decking, which can be covered over when not in use.
Use a soft material underfoot, like the decking here, and combine it with cobbles and sculptural planting to bring energy and life to the space.
Even in a compact area, it’s often still possible to incorporate areas where small children can play. In this garden, the designers have built a sandpit into the cedar decking, which can be covered over when not in use.
Use a soft material underfoot, like the decking here, and combine it with cobbles and sculptural planting to bring energy and life to the space.
Go big and bold
Having large-leaved plants in a small area may seem counterintuitive, as you might assume bigger foliage would make an area feel smaller. However, the opposite can be true. Bold plants can add valuable height and form, while bringing a sense of seclusion to your courtyard.
Combine different jungle-style plants and team them with dark walls to add drama to the space.
Having large-leaved plants in a small area may seem counterintuitive, as you might assume bigger foliage would make an area feel smaller. However, the opposite can be true. Bold plants can add valuable height and form, while bringing a sense of seclusion to your courtyard.
Combine different jungle-style plants and team them with dark walls to add drama to the space.
Create curves
There’s no need to feel limited to straight lines when it comes to courtyard designs. The curved paving and walls in this space surround a table and chairs. This focal point invites people to use the garden as another room.
Use rounded planting, such as buxus and hydrangea ‘Annabelle’, to link the circular elements.
Tell us…
Do you have a courtyard garden? How have you designed your space? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
There’s no need to feel limited to straight lines when it comes to courtyard designs. The curved paving and walls in this space surround a table and chairs. This focal point invites people to use the garden as another room.
Use rounded planting, such as buxus and hydrangea ‘Annabelle’, to link the circular elements.
Tell us…
Do you have a courtyard garden? How have you designed your space? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Most Popular
Which Type of Garden Fence Should I Choose?
Slatted, louvred, larchlap... There are numerous options out there, so have a nosy over these fences for design ideas
Full Story
Most Popular
How Can I Create a Garden on a Balcony or Roof Terrace?
Want to green up your raised outside space? Follow these expert tips to create a leafy urban retreat up high
Full Story
Photo Inspiration
17 Pretty Patios to Inspire Your Garden Makeover
Grab yourself a coffee and browse some stylish patio areas, perfect for alfresco dining
Full Story
Most Popular
5 of the Best Before and After Kitchen Transformations
Are you planning to renovate your kitchen? Take a look at these clever spaces for inspiration
Full Story
Most Popular
8 Dreamy Water Feature Ideas for Any Size of Garden
Whether a sleek, modern rill or a leafy cascade pleases your senses, there’s a water feature for every style of garden
Full Story
Photo Inspiration
14 Beautiful Gardens That Don’t Have a Lawn
Need some inspiration for a lawn-free garden? Take a wander around these gorgeous outdoor spaces
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Create a Lush Garden in the Shade
From pretty flowers to full-on foliage, check out these shady garden ideas to help you plan a beautiful space
Full Story
Most Popular
Garden Tour: A Small City Garden With Rich Rust Accents
Corten steel panels and complementary planting have given this courtyard garden a beautiful finish – day and night
Full Story
Most Popular
How to Link Your Indoor and Outdoor Spaces
From framing the view to uniting the flooring, there are lots of ways to help your house and garden connect beautifully
Full Story
Beautiful water element - would you mind sharing where you got it? I’m on page 40-something on HOUZZ, and have not yet found it. Thanks! We have an enclosed courtyard that needs something in the middle - I was thinking fire pit, possibly a specimen tree, or a WATER FEATURE!! Love yours! Annie
In what had been a concrete and brick backyard, I put in a bluestone patio with a rock border to keep the soil where it belongs. On the left, the bamboo screen with a painted wood frame helps disguise rather annoying neighbors. This photo was taken the first spring after this was installed, but the hinoki (center) and Japanese maple (right) were chosen because they would stay below 10' high.
The photo showing the Living Canopy is so beautiful, I called by partner over right away to look at it. He liked it, too, and thinks we can easily make something like that in our own back yard. Normally, when sitting outdoors, I want to see the sky, (that's the whole point, isn't it?) but a natural canopy like this would make for a beautiful addition.