Many homeowners come to us looking for garden design solutions that make the most of their outdoor space. Whether you’ve got a cosy courtyard, a compact back garden, or just want your space to feel more open, there are clever tricks that can transform the way it looks – without the need for major construction. With the right touches, professional landscaping services can make even the smallest garden feel spacious, welcoming, and perfectly designed.
Here are five of our favourite tips:
1. Use Colour and Light to Your Advantage
Just like inside your home, light colours in the garden help create a sense of space. Pale paving slabs, light-toned decking, or even a painted fence can reflect sunlight and brighten your whole garden. For a modern touch, white or light-grey planters can help bounce light around, giving the illusion of openness.
At Above and Beyond Landscapes, we often recommend using sandstone or light porcelain paving for clients who want their garden to feel bigger and fresher.
2. Add a Garden Mirror for Instant Depth
Mirrors aren’t just for bathrooms – they can completely transform a garden. A well-placed outdoor mirror can trick the eye into seeing extra depth and make a narrow courtyard feel twice as wide. Decorative window-style mirrors, rustic vintage frames, or sleek modern panels all work beautifully outdoors.
If you’re nervous about the effect looking “fake,” subtle placement – like against a side wall framed with climbing plants – keeps it natural and stylish.
3. Create Perspective with Planting
Professional garden designers often use planting techniques to make a space look longer or wider. The key is to layer your plants:
- Tall shrubs or trees at the back
- Medium plants in the middle
- Small, ground-hugging plants at the front
This creates depth, drawing the eye naturally through the garden. Adding vertical elements like trellises or pergolas can also help lift the space upwards, making even the smallest garden feel grander.
4. Lay Paving on the Diagonal
Here’s a design trick not many homeowners know: laying patio paving on a diagonal instantly makes the space appear larger. Instead of your eye stopping at the end of a straight line, the angle draws it further across the garden, creating a sense of width and flow.
We’ve used this technique on many patio installations across Surrey, and it’s an easy win for creating the illusion of space.
5. Keep it Neat and Structured
Finally, never underestimate the power of tidiness. A garden with overgrown borders, cluttered corners, or undefined edges can feel smaller and more chaotic than it really is. Clean lines, clear pathways, and neat lawn edges all help to open up a garden and make it look more spacious.
Raised beds, crisp borders, and well-maintained lawns not only improve the look but also make your garden much easier to enjoy.
Small Changes, Big Results
The great thing about these ideas is that you don’t need to completely rebuild your garden to see results. Simple design choices, careful planting, and clever layout tricks can all give you that bigger-garden feel without major disruption.
If you’d like expert advice tailored to your own space, our team at Above and Beyond Landscapes specialises in garden design Surrey homeowners trust. Whether it’s refreshing a patio, rethinking your planting, or giving your garden a complete redesign, we’d be delighted to help you transform your outdoor space.