Prioritize your must-haves
One of the most underappreciated things to do before starting is spend time outside in your environment to find your favorite spots for sitting and relaxing, adds Monji.
June Scott Design in Pasadena, California, suggests integrating furniture like a sectional couch into retaining walls for a patio garden. Built-in furniture might save room, but comfort should be considered, she advises.
Color is another consideration, agrees Scott. So I advocate enforcing a palette that may be stricter than in a wider garden. Monogrammatic greens, whites, purples, or opposing schemes are options.
Don t shy away from large pieces of furniture
A small patio may seem like the appropriate choice for small bistro chairs and tables, but Monji suggests going for huge pieces that don't overpower the space.
Gardens can also be designed for home sides. If you want to use your little backyard for sunbathing, cultivate vegetables or herbs in raised garden beds in your side yard.
Put a fire feature in your garden to maximize its use. Fire pits may replace tables and make outdoor social spaces feasible after the season turns chilly, adds Lenhart. Portable burners, tables, and pits with cooking grates let you enjoy fires without buying a grill.
Utilize vertical space with wall planters, trellises and hanging baskets to maximize greenery without sacrificing floor space, advises online gardening retailer Craig Wilson Gardeners Dream.
Wilson says organizing your plants might make your garden feel bigger. Group similar plants or repeat a plant variety throughout the space to create unity and rhythm, he comments.