There’s a thought that crosses most people’s minds at some point, usually while scrolling through gorgeous garden inspiration at 10 pm, that goes something like: I’d love that, but my garden’s just too small.
We hear this a lot. And honestly? It’s one of the biggest myths in garden design.
Some of the most beautiful gardens we’ve ever worked on have been compact spaces. Courtyard gardens tucked behind period cottages. Walled town plots in Surrey villages. Side returns that had been written off as “just storage.” Transformed, every single one of them; and often more striking than gardens three times the size.
Here’s the thing about a smaller garden: it forces the very best decisions.
Small Garden Design: Why Size Is No Barrier to Something Beautiful
A smaller garden demands intention, and that’s actually a wonderful thing to work with.
Every element earns its place. The paving, the planting, the furniture, the lighting, and when it all works together in a compact space, the result feels considered and complete in a way that’s really hard to replicate.
Think about the rooms in your home you love most. They’re probably not the biggest. They’re the ones that just feel right.
A beautifully designed small garden does exactly that… outdoors.
Small Garden Transformations in Surrey: Two Real Examples
Take the penthouse roof terrace in Godalming we worked on. The starting point was bare white walls, glass balustrades and a fully exposed rooftop (not an obvious canvas).
The result? A genuinely beautiful entertaining space with a real holiday feel.
Cedar slatted panels brought warmth and privacy. Bespoke lightweight planters in soft greys and greens gave structure. Layers of Mediterranean planting, including a pair of stunning multi-stemmed olive trees, suited the exposed setting perfectly. A carefully chosen splash of yellow tied the whole thing back to the interior design.
Before and after, it’s almost unrecognisable.
Then there’s the small contemporary garden in Ewhurst, which proves that a tight budget is no barrier to a stunning result.
The brief: reflect the clients’ personalities and keep it low maintenance.
Copper became the thread running through the entire design in the metalwork, the planting, the details. Key choices included:
- The existing fence painted and battened in black for a sharp, contemporary backdrop
- A handmade rebar frame in copper as a feature behind fragrant evergreen climbers
- An oversized urn already on site, repainted and planted up for drama
- A firepit area replacing the lawn for year-round use
Considered, characterful, and completely their own.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from the client herself!
What Great Small Garden Design Actually Involves
Scale and proportion: Furniture that’s slightly too big, or a plant that looks perfect now but will outgrow the space within a couple of seasons, can make a small garden feel cluttered and closed-in. Getting this right from the start changes everything.
Levels and vertical interest: Even a single step up to a seating area creates depth. Climbers on walls, trained shrubs, a beautiful espaliered fruit tree, drawing the eye upward makes a garden feel far more generous than its footprint suggests.
A thread that ties everything together: The Ewhurst garden is a great example; copper as a consistent detail through the metalwork, the planting, the colour palette. That kind of thinking is what makes a small garden feel designed rather than assembled.
Planting that works across the whole year: A thoughtful planting plan brings scent, texture, colour and movement through every season, so the garden is just as lovely from the kitchen window in February as it is when you’re sitting out in June.
Ready to Transform Your Garden with Laurel Hill Gardens?
The gardens that bring the most daily joy aren’t always the grandest. They’re the ones that feel right for the space, right for the house, and right for the people who live there.
If you’ve been putting off doing something with your garden because you thought the space wasn’t big enough to be worth it… now might be the time to think again.
At Laurel Hill Gardens, we love working with smaller spaces across Surrey and the Surrey Hills. There’s something really satisfying about helping a homeowner see a garden they’d almost given up on become somewhere they genuinely love spending time.
If that sounds like your garden, we’d love to have a chat. Get in touch for a free initial consultation — no obligation, just a relaxed conversation about what might be possible for your space.
Get in touch with Laurel Hill Gardens today!
Call: 07714 088153
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