5 do's & don'ts when laying out a long, narrow garden
It may seem like a complicated project, but designing a long, narrow garden is a fun challenge with the right approach. This way, you can enjoy every single centimeter and create a wonderful outdoor space. You might be wondering how to properly design your deep and narrow garden without making it look even narrower visually. Fortunately, here you will read various tips that can really help if you are struggling with the layout of your garden. Discover the dos and don'ts for designing your garden in this article and avoid common mistakes.
#1 Divide your garden into different zones
Before you start decorating and buying garden furniture, it is important to divide your garden into different zones. Make a sketch for yourself and design your garden the way you like. Do not keep everything in one long line of sight, but visually break the length. Use different levels and opt for a raised sitting area or borders. For example, create a cozy seating area at the back of your garden, place a small lawn in the middle, and a play set for the little ones at the front.
We advise against using high, solid fences. This only makes the garden smaller. Instead, choose a semi-transparent partition, such as wire mesh panels with ivy or light shrubs and a low sidewall. It immediately makes the garden feel more spacious.
#2 Play with shape and perspective
Often, straight elements are chosen, but this actually only makes the overall space look narrower. If you have a deep garden, it is better to choose winding or diagonally running garden paths. This breaks up the dominant length of the garden and allows you to make a narrow garden feel much cozier. In addition, enlarging elements at the far end of the garden can create a nice effect. For example, place a raised, large planter or a porch at the end of the garden to visually expand the space. If you want to make the best possible use of a narrow garden, you can have the path disappear behind a shrub. This creates the illusion that the garden is more spacious than it actually is.
#3 Choose the right plants and colors
One of the most important dos when designing a narrow garden is choosing appropriately sized plants. We understand that it is a difficult choice to determine which plants will look best under your veranda. However, try planting a large and striking plant on the sides to accentuate the width of the garden. In addition, use light colors for the fence, walls, and furniture, but keep the color palette limited and repeat patterns and colors to create a calming effect. Alternating with different plants and flowers is fine, but make sure it is not too diverse.
#4 Make Smart Use of Height
Making the most of vertical space is an absolute must if you want to design a long, narrow garden. By working with height, you can fit in up to 50% more plants without making the space look too cluttered. For example, you could use hanging planters or create an ivy wall against a pergola. Using multifunctional furniture also helps with this. How about stackable chairs or a folding table for optimal use of space and flexibility? This way, you’ll make the most of every square meter of your garden and ensure that your narrow garden looks much larger and more dynamic.
#5 Keep it organized and functional
When designing a long, narrow garden, it is important to remember: “less is more.” Do not cram your garden full of different furniture, accessories, and colors, but instead choose one specific style and work with materials that create ambiance. For example, combine paving tiles with grass if you want more greenery in your garden, and then play with proportions. Use one-third of the garden for the tiles and two-thirds for the greenery. Also ensure that each zone has a clear function: a lounge area, dining area, play area, and green strip should be well-distributed throughout the space. This keeps your garden organized and functional!
With these practical tips, you can properly layout your long, narrow garden and save space. Start today to get your garden ready for summer!
