Small gardens are generally designed as miniature versions of larger gardens, and this is often where problems start. A small garden may have a patio, strip of lawn, and small shed, all laid out in a way that mimics the design of a larger garden, and the result is a space that feels cramped rather than compact.
Small outdoor space often occurs on patios and balconies, and the furnishings and shades made for these small spaces are often the same furnishings and shades sold for larger gardens. An awning extended to project 3 meters swallows a small patio. Getting the scale right is often more important for a small garden than a large one.
Some people wish for a conservatory, or glass garden room, for additional usable space without having to extend the house, and on a small lot, the question of how much garden you’re willing to sacrifice becomes more relevant than how much garden fits along the house.
Because small gardens usually have a container rather than a bed for planting, and because of their limited space, a small garden may try to be three things at once; a seating area, a planting area, a storage area, and never decide how to share these things when space is limited.
While designing a small space often means addressing how best to use the space, in reality, all the things people try to do with small gardens shows a need to work with the limited space rather than think about how best to use space.