Design Tips for Courtyard Gardens

Courtyard gardens are often hidden gems. Tucked between buildings or behind walls, these compact outdoor spaces offer a unique opportunity to create something special – a quiet retreat, a green extension of the home, or even a space for entertaining.

At Oliver Burgess Garden Design, we treat courtyard gardens with the same level of detail as larger landscapes. Every decision matters. From the layout to the lighting, the right design choices can make a small space feel generous, calm, and connected.

Here are our top design tips for getting the most out of a courtyard garden.

1. Begin with a Clear Layout

The most successful courtyard gardens start with a strong layout. Think about how the space will be used. Is it for dining, relaxing, growing herbs, or simply enjoying the view from indoors?

Define zones clearly – even if the garden is only a few metres across. For example:

• A seating area near the house for ease of use

• A planting zone around the edges to soften the space

• A focal point, such as a sculpture, water bowl, or tree

In our South London courtyard project, we used floating benches and raised planters to anchor the layout. The result was a calm and balanced design that made full use of the limited footprint.

2. Choose a Tight Palette of Materials

Courtyard gardens benefit from simplicity. With less space to work with, it’s important to avoid clashing materials or unnecessary complexity.

We recommend:

• Using two to three key surfaces across paving, walls, and seating

• Choosing neutral tones for hard materials, allowing plants to stand out

• Avoiding high-maintenance finishes that require regular cleaning or sealing

Careful material choice is one of the easiest ways to avoid costly mistakes during the build and over time.

3. Let Planting Set the Tone

In a courtyard, every plant is part of the design. Rather than filling the space, we build layered planting schemes that add texture, structure, and softness.

Use a mix of:

• Evergreens for year-round shape

• Climbers to green up walls and boundaries

• Seasonal flowers for colour and movement

• Herbs or edibles where appropriate

Plant selection should also reflect light conditions and soil depth, especially in enclosed spaces.

4. Make Use of Vertical Space

With floor space at a premium, vertical design becomes essential. The walls of a courtyard are an opportunity, not just a boundary.

Vertical design ideas include:

• Living walls or trellised climbers

• Tall planters or slender trees to lift the view

• Decorative panels or cladding to add interest

• Mirrors to reflect light and extend the feel of space

These vertical features are also valuable when zoning small gardens into distinct areas.

5. Plan for Natural Light (and Shade)

Understanding how light moves through a courtyard is key. These spaces can be shaded for much of the day – or too exposed to direct sun.

Design considerations include:

• Using light-coloured surfaces to bounce light around

• Choosing shade-tolerant plants for north-facing plots

• Adding screens or pergolas to control sun exposure in brighter courtyards

• Avoiding tall, solid features that block sunlight unnecessarily

It’s often these subtle adjustments that create a comfortable, climate-responsive garden.

6. Include a Focal Point

A well-chosen focal point brings the whole design together. This could be a simple water bowl, a specimen tree, a sculpture, or even a piece of seating.

Good focal points:

• Draw the eye from inside the house

• Add depth and direction to the layout

• Create a sense of arrival or destination

They also help structure the space around them – supporting a strong overall garden layout.

7. Build in Seating and Storage

Fixed features help a courtyard feel permanent and well planned. Built-in seating is more space-efficient than movable furniture, while integrated storage keeps the space tidy.

Common built-in features include:

• Floating timber benches

• Rendered plinths that double as seats

• Storage hidden behind planters or under seats

In compact designs, these solutions offer maximum function with minimal visual clutter.

8. Don’t Forget the Boundaries

The walls, fences, or rear façades that frame a courtyard should be treated as part of the garden. Leaving them blank or mismatched can break the visual flow.

Design options include:

• Cladding or painting the walls in a consistent finish

• Adding slatted screens or trellises for depth

• Extending planting up and along the vertical surfaces

A consistent boundary treatment supports eco-conscious design, especially when using sustainable timber or natural finishes.

9. Light for Atmosphere and Safety

Lighting transforms a courtyard garden in the evening. It allows the space to be used later in the day and also enhances how it looks from inside.

Good courtyard lighting includes:

• Low-level uplights to highlight plants or trees

• Strip lighting under benches or steps

• Wall-mounted fixtures for soft ambient light

Well-planned lighting also adds perceived property value by extending the visual appeal of the garden.

10. Think About All Seasons

Courtyards are often visible from inside the home year-round. That’s why we design for all seasons, not just summer.

Seasonal design tips:

• Include evergreens and grasses for winter interest

• Choose multi-season performers, like hellebores or ferns

• Consider how materials and lighting look in darker months

Designing with winter in mind helps your courtyard remain part of everyday life, even in the colder months.

Final Thoughts

A well-designed courtyard feels intentional, balanced, and tailored to the way you live. It makes full use of limited space without ever feeling cramped. And it responds to light, structure, and planting in a way that brings calm to even the busiest setting.

If you're thinking about a courtyard project in London, Kent, or the South East, explore our work and see how design can turn an overlooked area into your favourite part of the home.