Ready to Get Started?
Whether you want a thriving garden or simply a peaceful spot to relax, let’s bring your small garden to life.
Contact us today to arrange your free garden design visit in London or Kent.
Our Garden Design Process
Designing your dream garden is an exciting journey! We guide you through a clear, client-friendly process to ensure you’re involved at every stage. Here’s what to expect when you work with OB Garden Design:
Initial Chat
It starts with a friendly call where we discuss your garden, your ideas and whether we’re the right garden designer for you. No pressure, no obligation.
Free Visit
We offer a complimentary design consultation across London and Kent. We’ll visit your garden, take measurements and photos, and discuss your goals in detail.
Concept Design
We create a concept plan using 3D models, suggested colour schemes, layout options and planting styles. You’ll also receive a mood board to help visualise the space.
Feedback
We present the plan and refine it based on your feedback. We’ll adjust layouts, features, and materials to make sure it works perfectly for you.
Detailed Design
You’ll receive a full design pack with layout drawings, materials, and planting lists. This gives your landscaper everything they need to build your garden.
Building Support
We can recommend trusted landscape contractors or work with your chosen team. OB Garden Design stays involved during the build to ensure it runs smoothly and finishes as planned.
This step-by-step process is collaborative and transparent, giving you confidence and clarity from the first meeting to the final garden reveal.
Why Small Gardens Deserve Big Design Thinking
Just because a garden is small doesn’t mean it should be overlooked. In fact, designing a compact garden space often takes more care and creativity than a larger one. Every inch matters.
At OB Garden Design, we treat each small garden as a unique opportunity to solve problems and add value. Whether it’s a narrow side return, a shaded courtyard, or a small front garden, we believe these spaces can be just as beautiful and functional as any large garden.
With the right layout, materials and planting, even a small area can feel spacious and full of life. We use climbing plants, layered borders, and built-in features to create gardens that do more with less - gardens that provide joy, relaxation, and connection to nature.
Whether you're after a peaceful retreat, a family-friendly space, or a productive vegetable garden, small gardens deserve just as much design thinking as grand estates. And when they’re done right, they often become your favourite space in the home.
Small Garden Design in London & Kent
At OB Garden Design, we turn small, unloved garden spaces into inviting green areas full of character. Based in Beckenham, we design gardens across London and Kent.
Whether you have a small front garden, narrow patio or compact back yard, we can create a biodiverse, multifunctional space that feels much bigger than it is. Our designs reflect your lifestyle, your home, and the way you want to use the space.
Why Garden Zoning Matters for Compact Gardens
Zoning is one of the most important techniques in small garden design. It means dividing your space into clear, purposeful areas - so even the smallest garden feels functional and well-organised.
In a compact London garden, we might include a seating zone for relaxing, a space for plants or a vegetable garden, and a tucked-away storage area. By using paving, planters, or even climbing plants as subtle dividers, each area feels separate without needing fences or bulky barriers.
Zoning helps small gardens feel bigger because it gives structure. Your eye is drawn around the garden rather than seeing one single space. It also helps with flow - whether you’re stepping out for a morning coffee or hosting friends for dinner.
At OB Garden Design, we plan these zones carefully to reflect how you live. Maybe you need space for a child’s play area, or a quiet spot to read under a tree. We’ll shape your garden around your lifestyle, making the most of every square metre.
Good zoning creates a sense of order and calm - especially valuable in small areas where clutter can quickly take over.
Containers and Vertical Planting in Small Spaces
In smaller gardens, growing upwards and using portable containers makes all the difference. These strategies allow us to add greenery, texture and seasonal colour without taking up valuable ground space.
Container gardening is flexible, tidy and ideal for rental properties or paved gardens. You can grow herbs, bedding plants, or even dwarf shrubs in raised pots and troughs. Containers can also be moved with the seasons, so your space always looks its best. We often include pots as focal points within the design, using colours and materials that match the rest of the scheme.
Vertical planting is another space-saving secret. Living walls, trellis panels and climbing plants like jasmine or clematis help fill fences and walls with greenery. They soften the hard boundaries of a small area and draw the eye upwards, making the garden feel taller and more open.
Together, containers and vertical planting help you create a lush garden in a small area - without the need for lawns or flowerbeds. They’re easy to care for and can be adapted over time, so your garden evolves with the seasons and your needs.
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Our Approach to Compact Spaces
Every design begins with your ideas and how you use the space. We listen closely and build a plan that suits your needs and enhances the garden’s best features.
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Tailored to you – Whether you need space for plants, a dining area, or somewhere to relax, your garden will be shaped around how you want to live.
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Biodiverse planting – We create habitats for birds, bees and pollinators using layered planting with colour schemes that bring interest all year round.
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Smart layouts – From seating areas to small sheds, we design with flow and structure in mind, creating room for storage, play or quiet moments.
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Low maintenance – We often recommend paving stones, raised beds, and low-care plants that suit London gardens and busy lifestyles.
Ideas to Make the Most of a Small Area
If you’re searching for small garden ideas in London, here are some practical ways we help clients make the most of a small garden space:
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Vertical planting – Climbing plants (like clematis, jasmine or climbing hydrangea), wall planters and trellis help green the walls, not just the floor.
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Seating areas with storage – Built-in benches double up as storage, keeping tools or cushions neatly tucked away.
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Mirrors and lighting – These help create a sense of space, reflect greenery and make the garden usable into the evening.
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Defined zones – We create small garden spaces that feel like outdoor rooms with distinct uses, such as a reading corner or outdoor dining spot.
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Seasonal bedding plants – Planting in blocks or layers brings colour, structure and movement across all seasons.
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Use garden furniture that folds or stacks – Stackable chairs and folding tables can be stored away when not in use, keeping your small area clear and flexible.
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Hang lighting or decor from walls and fences – Wall-mounted lighting, hanging pots or artwork keep the ground free while adding style and atmosphere.
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Choose a light-coloured paving stone – Pale paving brightens a small area and makes the garden feel larger by reflecting natural light.
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Opt for multi-use planters – Tall or tiered planters double as dividers or even small seating ledges, helping you divide zones without taking up floor space.
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Tuck in a small shed or cupboard – A slimline, vertical shed or garden cupboard adds storage without dominating the space.
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Add a compact vegetable garden – You can grow herbs, salad leaves or tomatoes in raised beds, containers or vertical planters—even in the smallest garden.
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Low Maintenance Garden Design
Many homeowners ask for a garden that looks good all year round without the constant upkeep. Here’s how we create gardens that are beautiful and easy to manage:
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Paving and gravel paths – These replace high-maintenance lawns and reduce the need for mowing.
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Drought-tolerant plants – Hardy shrubs and evergreens stay looking smart with minimal watering.
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Drip irrigation systems – Automatically water your plants at the root, saving time and water.
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Raised beds – Easier to maintain, better for drainage, and ideal for both flowers and a small vegetable garden.
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Compact planting schemes – We group plants with similar care needs to reduce time spent on pruning and feeding.
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Mulching – A simple way to reduce weeds and keep moisture in the soil.
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Low-maintenance colour schemes – We use long-flowering perennials and foliage plants for year-round interest without regular replanting.
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Artificial lawn options – For those who want the look of grass without the upkeep.
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Small shed or cupboard for storage – Keep tools and garden supplies tidy and close at hand.
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Built-in seating and planters – Save space and effort with integrated features that double up in use.
You’ll get a garden that works hard without asking too much of your time - ideal for busy lives, rental properties, or simply those who prefer to relax, not rake.
Small Garden Design Case Studies – London & Kent
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Contemporary Courtyard Gardens, South London – Connected Living
Three modern townhouses, three compact gardens. Each one now has a clear layout, clean lines and built-in planters that link the indoors with the outdoors.
Garden Sanctuary – Plant‑Rich Small Garden in Dulwich
An unloved garden became a wildlife-friendly haven, with a sculptural water feature and soft, textural planting that supports a South London garden full of biodiversity.
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Steep Tiered Garden, South London – Steep Slope Reimagined
A steep slope garden was turned into practical outdoor spaces using composite decking and built-in seating. No machinery access? No problem – we designed around it.
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Modern Riverside Garden, Hampton Court – Compact, Colourful & Considered
We reworked the levels and added a bold planting scheme and larger patio area. A modern colour scheme and soft textures helped draw the eye through the compact Hampton Court garden.
Small Garden FAQs
We use tricks like vertical planting, mirrors, defined zones, and consistent paving materials to create a sense of space. The right colour scheme and planting layout can also draw the eye and make the garden feel more open.
Yes. Front gardens often have different challenges, like visibility and access. We design front gardens that are attractive, practical, and low-maintenance, with seasonal interest.
We favour layered planting with perennials, evergreen structure, and drought-tolerant species. Bedding plants can add bursts of colour, while raised beds reduce weeding and watering needs.
Not at all. Many clients prefer paving stones, gravel, or groundcover plants. We can include a small artificial lawn or design without grass entirely for easier upkeep.
We can include compact vegetable garden beds, herb planters, or even vertical growing walls. It’s all part of tailoring the space to your lifestyle.
It depends on the size, complexity and materials. We’ll give a clear breakdown after the free consultation. Our service is always bespoke, and we work to a wide range of budgets.
We provide the full design and support during the build. We can recommend trusted landscapers or collaborate with your own team. We stay involved to ensure the garden is built as planned.