Mistakes to Avoid in Courtyard Garden Design

Designing a courtyard garden is full of potential, but it also comes with unique challenges. Unlike larger spaces, where there’s room to adapt and adjust, courtyard gardens rely on precise decisions. One small mistake can impact the entire feel and function of the space.

In this article, we’ll look at the most common mistakes people make when designing courtyard gardens, and how to avoid them. Whether you're starting fresh or redesigning an existing space, these points will help you get the most out of every inch.

Ignoring Drainage

Drainage is one of the most overlooked aspects of courtyard design. Because these gardens are often enclosed by walls or buildings, water has fewer places to escape. Without proper planning, this can lead to water pooling, damp walls, or even flooding during heavy rain.

Common errors include:

• Paving without a fall or gradient

• Failing to include soakaways or drainage channels

• Using impermeable materials with no escape route for water

As many urban courtyard gardens deal with limited run-off areas, managing water from the start is essential for performance and longevity.

Overcrowding the Space

It’s easy to overfill a courtyard garden, especially when trying to include every feature on your wishlist. But in small spaces, more does not always mean better.

Overcrowding often results from:

• Too much furniture

• Oversized planters

• Complex paving layouts

• Fitting in too many functions without clear zoning

Defined layout and flow is critical for comfort and usability in compact designs.

Choosing the Wrong Plants

Plant selection is critical in any garden, but especially in courtyards. These spaces often have unique light, wind, and moisture conditions. Choosing the wrong plants can lead to poor growth, constant maintenance, or a garden that never quite feels right.

Common plant-related mistakes include:

• Using sun-loving plants in full shade (or vice versa)

• Choosing trees or shrubs that outgrow the space

• Relying too heavily on seasonal plants without an evergreen structure

A successful scheme starts with plants suited to local conditions, backed by structural evergreens and varied textures.

Poor Use of Boundaries

The walls and fences around a courtyard are more than just dividers. They’re a key part of the design. Ignoring them can make the space feel boxed in or cold.

Common errors include:

• Leaving walls blank and unplanted

• Using mismatched or overly busy boundary materials

• Blocking light with tall, solid screening

Treating these vertical surfaces as design opportunities helps create atmosphere and flow.

Lack of Privacy Planning

Many courtyard gardens are overlooked by neighbouring buildings. Without privacy, even the best layout can feel exposed and uncomfortable.

Mistakes to avoid:

• Waiting until the end of the project to think about screening

• Over-relying on fencing without planting

• Using bulky privacy solutions that block light

Solutions like slatted timber, layered planting or slim pergolas should be part of the early design decisions, not an afterthought.

Forgetting About Storage

Storage is often forgotten in courtyard design — until it’s too late. Even small gardens need places to keep cushions, tools, bins, or hoses.

Common issues include:

• No space left for storage at all

• Adding visible storage that disrupts the design

• Over-relying on plastic boxes or sheds that don’t fit the look

Smart space-saving ideas like hidden bench storage or planters with built-in compartments can solve this discreetly.

Overcomplicating the Materials

In a small space, materials matter. Too many different textures, colours, or finishes can overwhelm the design.

Common mistakes:

• Using multiple types of paving in a tight layout

• Combining clashing colours in walls, planters, and surfaces

• Choosing materials that weather poorly in enclosed spaces

Stick to a restrained palette. As part of our garden design philosophy, we often use only two or three hard materials to keep things clean and timeless.

No Focal Point or Sense of Flow

Even in a compact courtyard, there should be a sense of arrival, movement, and focus. Without this, the space can feel flat or disconnected.

Mistakes to watch out for:

• A layout that doesn’t guide the eye

• Furniture or planting that interrupts the flow

• A lack of any central feature or visual anchor

Small focal points — like a water bowl, planter or feature wall — add purpose and make the space feel grounded.

Not Considering Year-Round Use

Courtyard gardens are often viewed from indoors as much as they are used. That makes it important to design for all seasons, not just summer.

Mistakes include:

• Relying on summer-only plants

• Skipping lighting, which limits use in evenings or winter

• Leaving the space bare in colder months

Well-designed courtyards include year-round structure and lighting to remain functional and beautiful in any season.

Treating the Courtyard Like an Indoor Room (or an Open Field)

Finally, it’s important to respect the nature of a courtyard. It’s not an indoor room, but it’s also not a large open garden. Designing as if it were either can lead to poor results.

Some common pitfalls:

• Using indoor-style décor that doesn’t weather well

• Trying to fit in a lawn or large borders

• Copying trends without considering how they’ll function in a small outdoor space

A courtyard needs a context-specific approach — a balance of outdoor resilience and comfort.

Final Thoughts

Courtyard gardens may be small, but they need just as much care as larger spaces. By avoiding these common mistakes — from poor drainage and plant choice to layout and lighting — you can create a garden that feels open, calm, and perfectly in tune with its surroundings.

If you’re planning a courtyard project in London, Kent, or the South East, keep these principles in mind. With the right design decisions, even the smallest courtyard can become a place you love to spend time in.