Making The Most Of A Courtyard Garden

When you think of a courtyard garden, it is likely that you'll be thinking of the style of garden common at stately homes or of the kind you are likely to find in warmer climes. The courtyard garden is a peaceful area, overflowing with gorgeous flowers and plants all year round, their delicate scent hanging in the air. Or that’s how you think it should be… because maybe your courtyard garden isn’t quite like that. The good news is, it soon can be. Here’s how:

7 rules for designing a courtyard garden

1. Don’t over-plant the courtyard garden

People often over-plant their small courtyard gardens with pots and pots of flowers. To really make the best use of the space, cut right back on planting and keep only the garden items that you really do need and want in your garden. Too much will just result in it looking like a storage space. Approach with a minimalistic design hat on!

2. Match fencing or walls

It’s quite common for all the walls or fencing to be completely different in a courtyard garden, so try and match them up to the best you can. This could be done by new fencing, adding fencing or painting walls to create a balanced and symmetrical appearance. If you can't get them to match, paint them all the same colour so you have a neutral backdrop.

3. Be careful adding extra privacy measures

It can be really tempting to want to add fencing or trellis to stop prying eyes from neighbours but think about this carefully before you do as this could limit the amount of light that reaches your garden.

4. Indulge in the best seating and furniture

This goes without saying but, you want to be comfy don’t you? To really increase the comfort in your courtyard garden and make it somewhere that you can actually spend time, consider investing in the latest on-trend rattan sofa or table set. Often they have storage spaces built in for extra cushions or blankets, which is perfect for the summer months.

5. Track the sun

Once you know where the sun hits the garden throughout the day, you can decide on the best location for certain plants as well as garden furniture. The courtyard garden is traditionally an enclosed on all sides, great for sheltering from the wind and a glorious sun trap but, with no shade from the sun at all, it can be almost unbearable. Consider adding a sunshade such as a garden sail shade.

6. Hide the point where the wall meets the floor

Disguise these areas with containers or even building a small ledge around the edge for pretty plants or gravel decoration, if you want to go all out you could even add some solar lights too!

7. Be careful with paving

Traditionally, the courtyard garden sits on a level platform of paving stones, although modern garden us brickwork and event decking in some instances too. Opting for a well designed and installed courtyard paving will mean you’ll enjoy the space for years to come.

Why not talk to our garden design team for more inspiration? Contact us for more details on everything that we do!