Small Courtyards for Year-round Enjoyment
No spacious lawns behind your house? No worries. Small is definitely beautiful when it comes to a well-planned courtyard
Potted plants, interesting surfaces, clever designs and fast-growing greenery are easy ways to make even the smallest outside space a pleasure zone. Because, when it comes to great outdoor spaces, size isn’t everything…
Be bold in a basement
This small slice of outside doesn’t get much sunlight, but it has a relaxed Mediterranean feel thanks to the beautiful tiling. The intricate pattern brings the space alive, and the dazzling motif makes it feel like an exotic added bonus.
This small slice of outside doesn’t get much sunlight, but it has a relaxed Mediterranean feel thanks to the beautiful tiling. The intricate pattern brings the space alive, and the dazzling motif makes it feel like an exotic added bonus.
Think along the same lines
This architectural area is sliced through with steel-framed glazing, lending a Japanese feel. The planting scheme enhances the mood, with fronds and grasses in complementary black planters. Aside from creating a cohesive feel, having large glazed panels also means the sightlines through the extension remain unfettered.
This architectural area is sliced through with steel-framed glazing, lending a Japanese feel. The planting scheme enhances the mood, with fronds and grasses in complementary black planters. Aside from creating a cohesive feel, having large glazed panels also means the sightlines through the extension remain unfettered.
Get the bones right
Brick, glass, decking and wood panelling mix well as the structure around this sliver of a courtyard. The design is ripe for expanding upon – a living wall or a well-placed mirror would really add character and impact here – but the basics are spot-on for an urban entertaining space.
Brick, glass, decking and wood panelling mix well as the structure around this sliver of a courtyard. The design is ripe for expanding upon – a living wall or a well-placed mirror would really add character and impact here – but the basics are spot-on for an urban entertaining space.
Go vertical
In a small or tricky space, the beauty is you can always go upwards. Plants that will grow tall rather than spreading outwards (and taking up valuable space) make a good choice, as they will emphasise the vertical height. Tall, slim plants in pots work particularly well in basement cavities, such as this one, adding elegance to a lower-level entrance.
In a small or tricky space, the beauty is you can always go upwards. Plants that will grow tall rather than spreading outwards (and taking up valuable space) make a good choice, as they will emphasise the vertical height. Tall, slim plants in pots work particularly well in basement cavities, such as this one, adding elegance to a lower-level entrance.
Choose seamless flooring
This outside space flows into the interior thanks to the same slate-coloured flooring being used inside and out. A clever trick employed here is that the format of the tiles goes from larger to medium to smaller on the stepped-up area, creating the impression of a receding perspective. The overall feel is of a spacious inside-outside space, rather than a garden that disappoints on size.
This outside space flows into the interior thanks to the same slate-coloured flooring being used inside and out. A clever trick employed here is that the format of the tiles goes from larger to medium to smaller on the stepped-up area, creating the impression of a receding perspective. The overall feel is of a spacious inside-outside space, rather than a garden that disappoints on size.
Grow a living wall
This transitional space between an extension and the original house creates a pleasant pause, with space for a birch tree, and a vertical wall of greenery adding extra interest and softness. Available as hanging pockets of foliage, living walls can be hung within hours, creating an instant oasis.
Check out more beautiful living walls
This transitional space between an extension and the original house creates a pleasant pause, with space for a birch tree, and a vertical wall of greenery adding extra interest and softness. Available as hanging pockets of foliage, living walls can be hung within hours, creating an instant oasis.
Check out more beautiful living walls
Work with the property’s materials
This traditional stone house and outbuilding have been linked, creating a courtyard space between them. Tiled in a grey that matches one of the shades of the stones keeps a unity between the two living areas, while potted plants are an easy add, enhancing the courtyard and the view from the annexe.
This traditional stone house and outbuilding have been linked, creating a courtyard space between them. Tiled in a grey that matches one of the shades of the stones keeps a unity between the two living areas, while potted plants are an easy add, enhancing the courtyard and the view from the annexe.
Think about different levels
This back garden space is lined with planters filled with low-level box plants, while taller trees and shrubs lead the eye upwards. As the plants grow, they will afford more privacy from neighbours – a valuable asset in courtyards, which are often overlooked, as small spaces usually mean close neighbours.
This back garden space is lined with planters filled with low-level box plants, while taller trees and shrubs lead the eye upwards. As the plants grow, they will afford more privacy from neighbours – a valuable asset in courtyards, which are often overlooked, as small spaces usually mean close neighbours.
Stick to a single colour
This compact terrace works as an extra room because it doesn’t try to do too much. There’s not enough space for big trees or complicated schemes, so flowers in a single colour lift the mood, providing an easy setting for meals or drinks outside. Twin olive trees add variety.
TELL US…
Have you transformed a small courtyard? Please share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
This compact terrace works as an extra room because it doesn’t try to do too much. There’s not enough space for big trees or complicated schemes, so flowers in a single colour lift the mood, providing an easy setting for meals or drinks outside. Twin olive trees add variety.
TELL US…
Have you transformed a small courtyard? Please share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
This petite space doesn’t hold back on the foliage, but planting is tiered, with bamboo creating the final backdrop. The black wall behind the fast-growing shoots adds drama, linking with the seating area for a small but coherent scheme.