11 tips for landscaping a small plot + photo

Everyone has their own dreams for an ideal summer cottage, and often even within the same family they are very different. One wants to plant the entire area with beds, another wants to organize a beautiful flower garden, and the third is important that the plot has a separate place for barbecue, and if the family has children, the task is complicated, because for kids you need your own corner. What to do in this case, because the site is not rubber? At competent planning and use of some visual tricks in a small area you can place everything you need and even visually make the area larger. We reveal the secrets of professionals with which you can independently develop the ideal landscape design of a small site.

No. 1. Functional zoning

Planning for future site design, like apartment designbegins with a clear plan. It is necessary to arm yourself with a sheet with a pen or a special program, clarify the size of the territory and begin to create a plan. This is necessary for the proper organization of the territory of any area, but it is especially important for small areas. By the way the border that separates a small area from a large one is very arbitrary. Small areas are called area from 1 to 6 acresthat are fully viewable from anywhere. Sometimes territories with a larger area seem small, especially when an incommensurably large house stands on the site. These are just the problems of planning. The competent organization of the site and design tricks will not be able to push its boundaries physically, but will allow changing the perception beyond recognition.

When preparing a site plan, it is important:

• determine what buildings and zones on the site are really needed. This is, for example, a house, greenhouse, outbuildings, garden, flower garden, recreation area, playground - to whom what. Do not forget about decor and garden paths;
• correctly position selected zones relative to each other. This stage requires the most attention, because a playground cannot be placed near the barbecue area, and a greenhouse in the thick shade of trees or a house will not bring the desired crops. Designers recommend alternating buildings with green plantings, hiding them behind hedges, shrubs and decorative elements. It is advisable that all buildings do not look too massive;

  

  

  

  
  
• immediately worth considering and landscape design style. First you need to decide if he will regular (strict, symmetrical, with precise geometric lines) or natural. Natural styles are best suited for smaller areas.: English, rustic, landscape, forest, eco-style;
• it is better to refuse tall trees if possible, because they, with their root system and shadow, can greatly reduce the possibilities of designing a small area. Nevertheless, there are successful examples of design, when the center of a small garden becomes one big tree, but this is an option, rather, for those who use the site more as a recreation area.

The smaller the site, the more accurate and well thought out should be the work on its planning - the result, which will ultimately be obtained, largely depends on this.

No. 2. The basis of a small plot is a lawn

No matter how tiny the plot, designers recommend leaving space for lawn, and place it in the "front" part of the garden, i.e. where the gaze immediately falls. This principle is somewhat similar to the Soviet recommendation to put furniture along the walls in small apartments. Although this principle is used less and less for residential premises, it remains relevant for small areas.

The central part of the garden should not be weighted by various plantings and buildings - this will create a sense of clutter and it seems that the territory is even smaller than it is. The best option for the species part of the plot is a neat lawn, on the periphery of which there are beds. Free space will give a feeling of a large territory. However, this recommendation does not exclude the possibility of being placed on a lawn. beautiful flower beds or shrubs - they will become his bright decoration. Well in this case, hydrangea, lilac and jasmine are suitable - they are compact and colorful.

A lawn in a small area will obviously also serve for moving, because it is impossible to organize an extensive network of garden paths in a tiny territory, and it’s useless. Therefore, choose the most resistant to trampling varieties of herbs.

No. 3. What should be the fence?

Massive fencing - the main enemy of a small garden, because it immediately gives out its existing limits, and main rule landscape design of small territories - dissolution of borders. When it is not clear where exactly the plot ends, a person perceives it more spacious. This rule is skillfully used by all landscape designers, and in order to bring it to life on your own, you should follow these tips:

• can decorate a fence with climbing plants. Vertical gardening is the easiest and most effective way to dissolve the boundaries of the site and how to continue the garden. Of course, you can use a hedge, but its cultivation and care will require significantly more time. Climbing plants will be able to decorate both a forged openwork fence and a fence from netting and even a blank wooden fence;
• for vertical landscaping wild grapes, hops, sweet peas, decorative beans will do. It is better to use several plants at once, since foliage of different shades and sizes allow you to get rid of uniformity and visually continue the boundaries of the site outside its actual territory;
• there must also be a special approach to the fence itself. Here the same rule of avoiding uniformity applies, therefore it is better if the fence is created from a combination of materialstransparent inserts are welcome.

  

  

  

  
  

Number 4. Eliminate corners and distort the shape of the plot

At professionals in an arsenal a lot of tricks to visually expand a small area, and they concern not only the fence:

• corners are capable of severely limiting and trimming space, so they must be used correctly. Cycle Angles possible with flower beds, benches, corner arbors, or at least with the help of garden figures - the main thing is that the corner does not remain empty;
• the best friend of a small plot - smooth curved lines. The arc of the eye moves more slowly, so the subconscious mind perceives the territory more than it actually is. Use oval, round, arched, ribbon-like, loose shapes and lines. This applies to both arbors and recreation areas, and flower beds. By the way, a flower garden of arbitrary shape is even easier to organize. If straight lines and clear geometric shapes cannot be dispensed with, then it is better to prefer rhombuses to a rectangle;
• garden space should not be visible immediately. If you see the whole territory, you can appreciate its small area.Our task is to bring a riddle to the plot and let us think that the borders of the garden are greater than they are. To do this, we need to equip the gazes that will cover some area of ​​the site: who knows how much area is hidden behind it. Obstacles may be pergolas, screens, flower arches, hedges etc.;
• a flat area looks smaller than an equal area of ​​different levels. If nature has stinted on the differences in relief, they can be created independently. An additional level will make the space more voluminous. Suitable for these purposes. alpine slide, steps, retaining wall, small podium. The rest area can be deepened on the contrary;
• in the far corners of the plot it is better to use white and yellow flowers, which are able to visually push the border even further.

No. 5. We create the correct form of garden paths

Garden paths - not only a purely functional part of the cottage. With their help, you can visually increase the area. When organizing tracks in a small area rule of curves and arched lines. Let the path be not the usual straight or angular shape, but winding. Full coverage tiled or concrete in some cases, you may prefer stone, planks, saw cuts of trees and bulk paths - they look more easily, airy and natural. The winding path, which sometimes hides behind obstacles, sometimes appears because of them, is perceived as long and allows you to create the impression that the site is many times larger than it is.

Designers advise using taking the track to nowhere. A path can lead to dense greenery or a pergola, behind which, in fact, there is nothing. This is another optical illusion, aimed at the visual expansion of the territory.

No. 6. Flower garden organization

From tricks and tricks we pass to competent territory planning. It is difficult to imagine a garden or summer cottage without a flower garden, especially since there is a place for it even in the smallest space. There are many options to organize a flower bed in a small area:

• the classic way, suitable for sites of any size, is to smash flower beds or put flowerpots near the entrance to the house, and they do not have to be symmetrical;
• cascade principle involves placing in the foreground low-growing plants and flowers, further - above, and so on to the highest tree or shrub, which becomes the center of the composition. Such a flower garden will take up a little space, but it will decorate the site very much and allow the view to glide not only along the plane, but also upwards;
• great idea for a small summer cottage - roof gardening, but it is used with us, alas, infrequently. Roofs of buildings can be used to plant a lawn or small plants. The practice is common in Europe, where even the roofs of large multi-storey buildings are greened in a similar way. It looks great, but in a small area this technique will create the treasured multi-level effect;
• flower beds optionally (and sometimes undesirable) must be of strict habitual forms - winding lines and irregular shapes are welcome. There are no requirements for flowerpots and flowerpots - they can be either quite familiar or non-standard. To create them, literally everything that can hold shape and soil is suitable: old tires, barrels, basins, bathtubs, wooden cases, plastic bottles, logs, carts, etc. Such flower beds look interesting and unusual, with minimal investment they are able to decorate the site and even become its highlight;
• flower beds and mixborders along garden paths will also be appropriate in any area.

Number 7. Organization of a garden

A garden in a small summer cottage is the most difficult to place, but nothing is impossible. On a plot of 2-3 acres you can find a place at least 3 * 4 m, which will be enough to grow the most necessary vegetables to the table, herbs or berries.On a plot of 6 acres, you can arrange a larger garden, set up decent size vegetable beds, and there will still be room for fruit trees and berries, unless, of course, there is a need for all this. Some good examples layout of a plot of 6 acres can be seen on the plans.

If there is little space, then mini garden recommend to separate with a decorative fence. You can grow the necessary crops both in the ground and in containers. In addition, stamped shrubs and columnar fruit trees do not take up much space. Several flowerpots can be placed even on the fence of the site.

Separately, it is worth highlighting plots in front town houses, their area is rarely more than 1 hundredths. It is difficult to find a place for beds here, but if you still want to grow something with your own hands on the table, you can advise spicy herbs. They do not require either a lot of space or special preparation of the territory - a couple of square meters is enough, but always under the sun. Sage, parsley, basil, lemon balm and mint can be grown both in open soil and in containers. Such herbs smell very strongly, so it is better not to place them under the window of the house or on the terrace.

Number 8. Small plot and big trees

Many tall trees on a tiny plot will not look quite appropriate, but several large trees can be planted. Even on 1 acres there is a place for one large-sized machine, which in the summer will give a tangible cool. Moreover, around a big tree you can plan a relaxation area. On a plot of 6 acres, you can place a small planting of fruit trees. You can also use undersized varieties of fruit trees, evergreen conifers and tall shrubs.

No. 9. Recreation area and gazebo on a small plot

The suburban area does not just have rest - it was created for it, and considerable appetite is played out in nature, so you should think about organizing a recreation area and / or a mangal zone:

• even in the smallest section place for a bench or a small dining table with 4-6 chairs. If we consider that garden furniture mostly compact, light and mobile, then such a dining area can be removed from the site if necessary;
• massive gazebo - the prerogative of spacious areas, but at 5-6 m² territory you can place a quite comfortable recreation area. Of course, it is better to refuse blind walls, preferring lightweight openwork designsthat let in light and allow you to see what is behind the gazebo. In fact, the design boils down to Aweigh and not very bulky supports, low fences. Fabric canopies and tents are perfect;
• barbecue area can also be located in a small area. If you are a fan of picnics, but do not particularly like to care for the garden, garden and flower garden, then barbecue area can become the center of the site, occupying a significant area. In this case, it is equipped with a massive stove, and landscaping is performed using a lawn, unpretentious flowers, shrubs and trees. If the area is small and it is necessary to fit a lot of zones on it, then it is better to organize a picnic area using a portable barbecue or barbecue, light garden furniture and a canopy;
• a cozy recreation area will turn out if you install two pergolas, connect them with slats and plant climbing plants.

No. 10. Place for a playground

A swing or a sandbox does not take up much space, and if the family has children, then a summer vacation in the country will become more diverse for them. A great option for small areas will be ready game complexes: they are well thought out and save space on playground organization. You can find options for the installation of which you will need no more than 15 m². Remember that swings, toy cars and houses for children can be created with your own hands from improvised materials.

No. 11. Pond in a small area

The design of a small garden is somewhat reminiscent of the work of a magician, who in every possible way distracts the attention of the audience while doing the trick. Professionals, developing landscape design of a small site, do the same - the main thing is to give them new impressions, to distract a person from the fact that the territory is actually tiny, and for this, tricks are used. To the above described is added a trick with reflection, which is always mesmerizing. The best source of reflection in the garden is the water surface. Let it be small, but nicely decorated pond, - he will certainly diversify the landscape and attract attention. It is not recommended to use flowing streams in a compact area - the constant sound of falling water may not be comfortable for everyone.

Of course, placing everything you need in a small limited space is not easy, but all advantages of a small plot can be felt after work on its improvement. And on a plot of 2-3 hundred parts there is always something to do, but imagine what the owners of the territory are tens of times larger than yours.