Small gardens: guide to transforming compact spaces into havens

Small gardens prove that landscaping does not necessarily depend on large areas to create striking projects. In compact backyards, balconies or small urban setbacks, the presence of greenery transforms the atmosphere of the space – bringing freshness, texture and a calmer pace to everyday life.

Elaine Kalil Paisagismo - Simplicidade Atenta. Projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2024. (MCA Estúdio/Divulgação)

More than just filling the available space, designing small gardens involves observing natural light, circulation and the proportion between elements. When well planned, these projects can balance aesthetics and functionality, creating retreats that invite pause and togetherness even in compact areas. With that in mind, we’ve gathered the main tips below!

How to plan small gardens

The first step in structuring small gardens is to carefully observe the conditions of the project. Incidence of sun, ventilation, drainage and foot traffic are factors that directly influence the choice of plants and the organization of landscaping elements.

Casa Terra, por Paola Ribeiro - Paisagismo Alex Hanazaki (Denilson Machado/Divulgação)

Another important point is to avoid an excess of visual information. In small gardens, harmony tends to emerge when few materials and species are used in a balanced way. A well-defined path, a standout planter or a bench integrated into the project can already give the space its own identity.

Choose species suited to the space

Plant selection directly affects the visual balance and maintenance of small gardens. Species with controlled size and predictable growth help preserve the project’s sense of lightness. At planting time, the best tips are:

Go for compact-sized plants

Smaller species usually work better in small gardens, as they take up less space and allow for more organized compositions. Plants such as peperomias, mini palms and small philodendrons create volume and texture without compromising circulation.

Lounge Recanto – Tatiana Campos Melo. Projeto da CASACOR Bahia 2019. (Gabriela Daltro/Divulgação)

Combine different leaf textures

Varying leaf shapes helps visually enrich small gardens. Mixing broadleaf species with more delicate or trailing plants creates natural layers of vegetation, bringing movement and depth to the space.

(Felipe Araújo/Divulgação)

Include herbs and aromatic species

Plants such as basil, rosemary and mint can also be part of small gardens, adding a functional dimension to the landscaping. Besides taking up little space, they help bring the garden closer to everyday home life.

(Jardim do mundo/Divulgação)

Materials and elements that enhance small gardens

The materials used also play an important role in the landscaping of small gardens. Permeable pavements, natural stones and wooden decks help organize circulation and define seating areas without visually weighing down the space.

Jonathas Matarelli Miranda - Jardim Nuances, projeto da CASACOR São Paulo 2021. (Renato Navarro/Divulgação)

Lighting is another resource that helps enhance small gardens. Points of indirect light, discreet path lights or fixtures aimed at the vegetation create a cozy atmosphere at night and highlight the textures and volumes of the landscape project.

How to create a sense of spaciousness

Some visual strategies help expand spatial perception in small gardens. Using light tones on floors or walls, for example, allows the vegetation to stand out and contributes to a feeling of greater brightness.

Projeto de Roberta Alonso e Mariana Oliveira. (Divulgação/Divulgação)

Another frequent resource is to make use of walls and vertical structures to broaden the project’s possibilities. In small gardens, hanging supports, trellises and shelves allow plants to be distributed at different heights, creating interesting visual layers.

CASACOR Publisher is an exclusive content-creating agent, developed by the CASACOR Technology team based on the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho.