A creative approach to the design of a small garden with your own hands - photos and recommendations. Ways to visually enlarge the suburban area How to equip a small area in the country

Landscaping of a personal plot or a private courtyard is not just the ability to transform the area around the house, it is a real art of creating beauty and harmony of your “I” with the surrounding nature. Only at first glance, everything is simple - I planted several fruitful trees on the site, a couple of bushes near the entrance, broke a flower bed and covered the rest of the space with a lawn. But what to do if such a scenario does not meet your requirements of the aesthetic side of the issue. If in your dreams you saw a well-groomed summer cottage or a small backyard where you can relax in a hammock in the fresh air or dine with the whole family in a cozy gazebo, or maybe read a book near a small pond?

How to equip the territory near a country house or private household, so that the owners would be pleased to look at the fruits of their labors, and there would be something to surprise guests with? We hope that our selection of interesting landscape design projects, created for sites of various sizes and shapes, territorial location and practical purpose, will help you be inspired to "garden" exploits on your own site.

We plan the design of the territory near the house

After a dusty and noisy city, it is so nice to plunge into an oasis of greenery and freshness, which is located in your own backyard of a private household, or go to the country house on the weekend and plunge into the world of incredible closeness to nature. But in any case, it will be necessary to work hard to create not only a green, flowering space, but also a practical place for relaxing with the whole family and in the company of friends and acquaintances.

Before you start planning landscape design on your territory, you will have to work on paper or in a special planner program:

  • mark the exact size and shape of the site;
  • mark existing buildings on the plan (house, garage, etc.);
  • mark the buildings that you would like to build (put absolutely everything on the plan - from a dog house to a gazebo), even if it seems that the building is small and there is always a place for it, it is better to take everything into account at once, there is always not enough space, no matter how much it is It was;
  • divide the entire plot into segments - squares, in each of which one or another design element will be located (this way it will be easier for you to evenly distribute all the landscape elements, especially if the plot is large);
  • mark all perennials that are already growing on the site and plan to plant new ones (remember the distance between trees and relative to buildings and structures);
  • mark on the plan the location of engineering systems (irrigation and water supply of ponds, fountains and cascades, lighting), perhaps at this stage you will need expert advice.

Next, it is necessary to carry out “reconnaissance on the ground” - to find out the features of the soil and the flow of groundwater (if any), identify places of stagnant water and conduct drainage if necessary. You also need to decide on the level of hilliness of the site and find out if you want to level the soil or leave the pristine landscape of the private area.

Choosing a color palette for landscape design

A skillfully chosen color palette of landscape design can transform and make unique even the simplest and low-budget project. But for such a harmonious appearance of your summer cottage or garden plot, you need to take into account the color scheme of the elements, which can be conditionally divided into the following groups:

Elements of the natural landscape. These are shrubs, trees and other plants, mounds and stones, ponds and paths that were created by nature itself. Whatever you decide to leave out to make your landscaping more natural will influence the color palette of the area. It is important to consider that natural shades will change depending on the time of year and the climate of your location.

Architecture items. This is, first of all, the main building of the house and extensions to it - a garage, a veranda, a terrace, a bathhouse, a greenhouse. As well as bridges, gazebos, sheds and other buildings. The facade of the building and the elements of all buildings should be in a harmonious color combination. This does not mean that it is necessary to paint all buildings in one color. Perhaps some building on your site is destined to become an accent spot, stand out from the general background and take on the role of a focal point. But most often it is the house that becomes the focal point, around which the whole concept of decorating the adjacent territory is built.

Objects of social and decorative landscape. This group includes all plantings, reservoirs, rock gardens and flower beds that were created by the hands of the designer or the owners of the site. In this case, the possibilities of manipulation with shades and halftones are endless, with the help of flowering plants you can create a unique colorful "carpet" of plantations that will change the entire warm season (usually from April to October in our country). Finally, entire avenues of evergreens can be used to ensure consistent color dominance in your yard or backyard.

Other design elements of the site. These include garden paths and platforms, decks and platforms, sculptures, hammocks and swings. All these elements leave their mark on the overall range of the territory near your summer cottage or private home. In matters of creating a certain mood in landscape design, it is the color palette that plays a key role. With the help of color combinations, you can mask the imperfections of the territory, visually enlarge the space or give it a certain shape, without resorting to drastic actions.

Recreation area with barbecue or hearth

Most of our compatriots who have become happy owners of a summer cottage or decided to improve the courtyard of a private household decide, first of all, to organize a place for barbecue and barbecue. For some, it is enough to build a brazier and put a couple of garden chairs, for others, you need a capital canopy with a dining group near the outdoor stove and a soft area made up of garden chairs and sofas. How many owners of private houses - so many opinions. But we are sure that from the proposed options for organizing a place for relaxing cooking on fire, you can find an inspiring project.

Barbecue equipment can be installed under a canopy on a wooden deck. But for a barbecue or a Russian stove, a separate area is needed, preferably on a site paved with stone or clinker bricks. For the convenience of the process of cooking on fire next to the barbecue, it is better to place a couple of chairs and a small table. The choice of material for garden furniture is now great - plastic, wood, rattan, metal and their combinations. Plastic furniture is the cheapest. But also practical. Wicker products made of natural rattan look very respectable and even festive, but their price is high. Based on your financial capabilities and the planned frequency of use of furniture for outdoor gatherings.

Even in a small yard, you can compactly, but at the same time safely place the necessary attributes for cooking on fire. It would be most logical to place a small dining group here so that you can dine in the fresh air, tasting freshly prepared dishes.

If we talk about an open hearth, then, as a rule, it is performed in a round shape. Again, the circle becomes the logical design of the recreation area near it. The harmonious and compact form of the recreation area not only fulfills the functionality assigned to it, but is also able to decorate any backyard or private courtyard.

The capital structure of a garden kitchen under a canopy and an outdoor fireplace adjoining it requires a lot of effort and financial investment. But the cost of such a project is quickly amortized, given how often everyone wants to cook and eat outdoors.

Outdoor Dining

A wonderful opportunity to dine with the whole family on the street or arrange an open-air dinner party should not be missed. Moreover, this does not require so much effort. Of course, it will be necessary to purchase a dining group for the street (choose light but durable options for tables, chairs or armchairs; it is better to take folding or easily assembled one into one if placed vertically). It will be easier for you if your dining area is mobile enough, because for the winter or just in bad weather you will need to remove the furniture under a canopy or bring it into the room.

It is better to install a table and chairs for outdoor dining on a stone-paved or any other tile area. This way you can provide sufficient stability for the furniture and at the same time prevent metal garden furniture, for example, from sinking into the ground.

If you choose a table with a hole for installing an umbrella (there are enough such models among garden furniture), you can provide your family with the opportunity to eat outside on a hot sunny day.

Also, an umbrella for protection from the sun can be installed, if necessary, next to the outdoor dining table. But remember about the weighting agents for the stability of the structure during the wind.

The canopy looks incredibly beautiful, the frame of which is made of wood, and climbing plants play the role of an awning. Any food at such a table will be tastier from the romantic and pleasant atmosphere created by man together with nature.

Garden paths and lawns

It is the combination of garden paths with a lawn (if there is one on your site) that forms the pattern of landscape design. Paths not only provide free movement around the territory of your yard or garden plot, but also form certain segments of the landscape.

Someone likes a clear geometry in the location of the paths, for others it is more pleasant to look and walk along the winding stone paths that go around certain landscape design objects of the site. Paths can be paved from various materials - paving stones, stone, clinker or ordinary bricks, fine gravel and decorative gravel. Tracks made of combined material look beautiful and practical. For example, you place large stone slabs along the path of a garden path, and fill the space around it with fine gravel.

Another way to make original, but at the same time incredibly functional paths is to fill the space around the concrete slabs with small pebbles. Against the backdrop of a green, perfectly trimmed lawn, such paths look amazing, create an orderly and harmonious environment in the local area.

Currently, you can easily purchase a ready-made lawn for your site, it will be brought in rolls and spread on your territory with an individual fit to the curves of its shape. But you can act "the old fashioned way" and sow a cleared area for a lawn, wait for seedlings and cut it, depending on your preferences. But in this case, it is important to say right away that no one can achieve the ideal seedling density the first time, you have to sow the grass in bald spots and track the new growth. In any case, you will need timely watering of the lawn (think over the irrigation system in advance) and regular mowing (lawn mowers can also be rented, but purchasing a garden unit is more rational and profitable).

When no borders are visible between the lawn and extensive plantings in the flower beds, an incredibly harmonious and natural atmosphere is created in the yard or on the site. In a festive green attire, your yard will delight the eye, and give the owners the opportunity to take a break from the concrete and glass structures of the big city.

Artificial reservoirs as an element of landscape design

To make the atmosphere of your summer cottage or a small courtyard more harmonious, use water in any of its manifestations. Pools, small ponds or just bowls of water that flow continuously are ideal for creating a calming and relaxing environment.

Not a single oriental landscape design is complete without the use of a natural or artificial reservoir, and Asians know a lot about creating a peaceful and balanced atmosphere.


What could be better than having the opportunity to plunge into the cool waters of the pool located on the adjacent territory on a hot summer day? Of course, to organize a pool on your site, it will be necessary to involve specialists and even heavy construction equipment. But all the costs (time, effort, energy and financial resources) will pay off with the incredible opportunity of owning your own mini-reservoir in your backyard or in the yard of a private house.

A place to relax on a site with a soft zone

Having the opportunity to relax in the bosom of nature, I would like to do it with maximum comfort - in the shade of trees or an awning, on soft sofas or armchairs. You can equip such a platform both on a wooden deck or platform, and on a platform paved with stone or concrete.

If we talk about upholstered furniture for outdoor use, then it is more practical to use rattan or any other wicker furniture with removable upholstered seats and backs. Usually, the textiles of the upholstery of such pillows are easy to clean with a damp sponge, or the covers are removable and washable in a washing machine.

How to furnish a small yard or a small backyard

If you are very limited in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe site, then it will be necessary, first of all, to prioritize and decide what is most important for you - to be able to relax in the shade of trees, dine with the whole family in the open air, or equip a barbecue and barbecue area. Or maybe you need a place for a playground or the possibility of walking a pet?

No matter how you distribute the segments of outdoor recreation that are important for you, you cannot do without fencing your territory. To brighten up the look of a boring fence, plant climbing plants or low trees near it, which will create a natural atmosphere. In such an environment, you can at least for a while forget about the noisy city outside your backyard.

But what if your backyard is just a piece of land that you have converted into a wooden deck? Or you don’t even have a backyard, but there is free space on the roof. There is a way out of any situation. The following few images of design projects for arranging such mini-segments for outdoor recreation are proof of this.

1069 Dix https://www.pngDix 2015-05-13 19:56:23 2018-11-30 11:20:51 A kaleidoscope of ideas for landscape design of the site

The building density in cities is constantly growing, and it is either very expensive or impossible to buy a large plot of land within the boundaries. Therefore, many are forced to build in cramped conditions, putting up a comfortable house, and trying to leave room for a garden that can also be decorated. Having correctly thought over the landscape design of a small area, you can not only transform the local area, but also make it visually larger and more beautiful.

The right fence, the exact location of objects - and your garden turns into a fairy tale

A small area is considered to be an area up to 2 acres. Their main drawback is the inability to separate the main objects from each other. They are installed very close, and this makes it difficult to divide the space into zones, which designers love so much. This problem can only be solved by correcting and reducing the number of these very objects (they can be combined or transferred to the house).


Landscape design of a small area with your own hands - the smallest yard can be made into a closed patio

The space inside a small area seems closed and closed. A high fence installed along the perimeter seems to hang over - neighbors' houses peek out from behind it.

  • Almost always, you can get rid of the “box” effect if you place the accents correctly. Visual tricks are the first thing we need.
  • It’s good when the planning of the landscape of the site is done even before its development, since there is the possibility of any maneuvers - there is no need to transfer finished structures and try to fit the remaining space into narrow passages. If this is the case in your area, then you have come to a solution to the problem in time.
  • You need to know exactly what facilities will be needed. Each family will have its own set: someone needs a garage, someone needs a barn, and someone needs a bathhouse.

Landscape design of a small area - interesting solutions
  • Correlate the ease of access to the premises with the location of the house - the central object in the territory. Its area can easily occupy up to 80% of the land.
  • definitely not required, but if you want to grow at least something, limit yourself to garden plants - well, or allocate a small bed for herbs.
  • An important attribute for a small area is a garden. Of course, it will not be a garden in the classical sense, but it is worth planting small trees, flowers, herbs, and undersized shrubs around the site correctly. In the center of the site, usually empty passages are left.

Advice! For lack of extra space, flowers and small plants can be planted in pots, placing them around the perimeter.

Landscaping of a small suburban area - instead of palm trees, there could be Christmas trees
  • The front yard, if there is one, should be taken under the car. Even if you are not a driver, you need to provide for parking, because when selling a house, it will be easier to find a client. In the meantime, this place is not occupied, it will be possible to place a recreation area on it.
  • The seating area is an important part of a small area. They make it in the form, since the perimeter fence already creates a small fenced area.

And this could be the backyard:

In what style of landscape design can you make a small garden

Your choice is practically unlimited. Exceptions are areas that require scale - for example: classic, modern, Russian estate and others. You can try to imitate their main features, although it will not look like this without space.

The best destinations for small lots are modern and rustic. Consider a selection of photographs by which the reader can evaluate the work of designers in tiny areas. With the right approach, something similar can be done on your own.

  • An example of a simple solution to achieve comfort and beauty. The yard is low fenced. Its entire internal area is circularly concreted. There is a small sofa, table and chairs for relaxing. Plants are placed along the perimeter, some of which are in pots, some in concrete flowerpots, and there is a kind of flower bed in the corner - a green island. The monotony of the picture dilutes the carpet in the center, which contrasts with the main concrete floor.

Landscape Design Pictures for Small Plots - Mixed Style

Advice! In general, correctly executed contrast zones make the courtyard beautiful.

  • The very name "minimalism" suggests the absence of everything superfluous on the site. This style refuses unnecessary buildings, furniture, everything you need is left on the site. Straight and simple lines are important. The garden does not require lush flowering plants (ferns and low-growing deciduous trees will do). From materials used concrete, glass, metal, polymers.

Minimalist patio
  • If urban landscapes are alien to you and nature is close, you can turn a small area into a real green oasis. In this photo we see an English garden - a slight visible neglect, despite the fact that the plants are constantly looked after. In such a garden, there should be an area for planting shrub flowers and trees that look colorful and bright. Climbing plants will not interfere either. in a small area, you can make bulk - from crushed stone or gravel.

English garden in a small area
  • Another style that looks very similar to minimalism. However, it is somewhat closer to nature, everything in such a yard looks technologically advanced. Zoning such a site does not include outbuildings, so storage space for garden tools and other things should be located in the house or in the front yard.

Read also

Homemade crafts for summer cottages, gardens and gardens


Hi-tech garden
  • If you don't have a parking space in your front yard, you can make a purely decorative area without even having tracks on it. A smooth, trimmed and juicy lawn is welcome. You can choose any plants. You can install, which will enliven the garden.

Simple landscape design of a small area in front of the house
  • Our plots are usually rectangular in shape, but it is not at all necessary to try to keep them the same visually. The photo shows that a round arena was laid out of clay bricks, over the sides of which fertile earth was poured. These flower beds are planted with flowers, bushes and trees. They give a shadow covering the recreation area.

Landscape design of a small area in front of the house

There are many solutions. We showed the basic principles of designing a small garden, and what they are. Here is another small photo gallery with design options.

The rules of landscape design in a small area or the subtleties of proper zoning

So, suppose that you have a "bare" building plot in front of you. What is the best way to plan it?


Landscape design of a small area: photo from the design project
  • First, it is worth arranging the overall buildings. So that they do not look like one array, they need to be separated, leaving space for plants between them. At the same time, it is worth focusing on fire and sanitary standards that regulate indents from the boundary, buildings of neighbors and technical structures (study in the article).
  • If space permits, the house should be deepened into the lot so that a front patio can be made. There is a place for a car - in cities without it, nowhere. In the absence of such an opportunity, the house can be brought out with a side facade to the street. It is possible and the front, but the porch is not always possible to accommodate.

Advice! If the house is two-story, you can place a garage below in the main part of the house or attach it to the side. The decision will be wise and will save a significant area of ​​land.


Beautiful design of the local area with relief differences
  • When drawing up a project, you need to know the geological parameters of the site. It is very difficult to do such work yourself without preparation, so we advise you to turn to specialists for drafting a project, showing them your planning experience. They will evaluate the feasibility of its implementation and make changes.
  • An important part of this work is the determination of soil properties. Much will depend on its type - even the selection of plants and determining the place for them on the site.
  • Then we decide on the style of the design of the site. We have already written about this, we will not repeat ourselves.
  • The choice of vegetation is important not only for the style of landscape design. You should not plant tall trees - you need to move them further from the fence, and it is difficult to form a crown, and there will be a lot of shade, which is not always good.
  • We divide the area into zones. There was only a recreation area, which must be taken to the most quiet and windless place. In a small area, it is often carried far from home, to the back fence, along which plants are planted or decorative zones are made.

Landscaping of a suburban small summer cottage with a play area for children
  • If children live in the house, you need to think about a place for games. It is enough to install a small slide or, or at least make a flat area on which you can ride a scooter.
  • Some can't live without a cooking zone. It should also be taken away from the residential building - it will be safer and smoke will not enter the rooms.

Advice! Tracks should be abandoned altogether. Choose continuous coatings that will replace each other. For example, part of the yard can be sown with a lawn, and the remaining area can be concreted and tiled. In winter, it will not look so beautiful, but in spring and summer, bright contrasts will please the eye.

Landscape design of a very small area - techniques for visually increasing the space in the garden

And now let's talk about the most interesting thing - how to beat all the structures on the site in order to minimize the feeling of squeezed space. Let's discuss all the important details, and start with the fence.

How to beat the fence

The fence is an indicator of the boundaries of the site (read about in the article). It also serves to protect against the penetration of unauthorized persons into the territory, and hides the courtyard from outside views.

Interesting to know! On the territory of our country, standards have been established according to which fences in IZHS can be made of any material and go up to any height. For garden and garden partnerships, as well as settlements, this rule does not work. There, the fence should be at least 50% light-transmitting.

  • The taller and more massive the fence, the more attention it attracts. It crowds out other details and makes them visually smaller than they really are. If you are in a small yard, and your gaze, wherever you direct it, rests on a high and noticeable fence, then you will not get rid of the feeling of being locked in.
  • There are two ways to solve the problem and visually expand the territory. The first is disguise. Climbing plants and trees are planted under the structure to give the impression that the fence is part of the garden, its continuation. Ivy, lemongrass, grapes and roses are perfect for this.

The lower part of the fence is solid, and the upper ventilated part is thuja in landscape design
  • The second method is more capital. The fence is replaced with a new one, installing a lighter and more airy structure. The best solution for a small area would be a wooden structure (presented in the article). It can be continuous, since this material does not cause the previously described associations and feelings of discomfort in a person.

Landscape design of a small garden plot - a light fence around the perimeter of the plot
  • The fence can even be open, in the form of a picket fence or a trellis. So that it does not shine through much, it is also planted with plants. You can create a full-fledged hedge.

Read also

Lawns for giving

Read also:

  • what can be a hedge;

The front part of the courtyard when there is not enough space

In any garden there should be a front part that will welcome visitors. From this point, the garden should be viewed completely.

Landscaping ideas for a small area - a narrow yard with a path

Usually these places are freed from excess plants. There are no buildings here either. From the front point, paths can diverge, and along the edges of the flower bed. Along the periphery, you can also place a neat lawn (read in the article), on which garden accessories, lighting equipment and various decor will stand.

Paths in a small garden

As we already wrote, it is worth abandoning the tracks altogether, but this solution is not suitable for every style. If they are still needed, you should carefully consider the issue of their design.

  • It is worth abandoning the clear geometry - let the paths be slightly rounded and even wriggle along the way. The reason is that straight paths are shorter and they visually reduce the space. The winding path involuntarily catches the eye and makes you watch yourself.

Landscaping on a small plot in front of the house - the stone path has a semicircular shape

Ground gaps formed between the turns of the track must not be left free. This is a great place for planting ornamental grasses and planting garden molds. The presence of such inserts will attract the attention of the viewer even more.


Landscaping along the edges of the path - you absolutely do not pay attention to the proximity of the fence and buildings

A properly designed path will visually increase the space of the garden, so we pay a lot of attention to the issue of planning. Paths can be paved or paved. They use different materials:

  • Natural stone - it can simply be laid on the ground, indicating the direction of movement, or laid on a concrete base. The second option will be more reliable. Different breeds are used, each of which suits different styles. Popular solutions: sandstone, shale, tuff, dolomite limestone.
  • Pebbles and crushed stone are used for solid bulk paths. They look good, but in terms of practicality they are much inferior. It is inconvenient to step on them even with shoes on, the stones will be carried throughout the site, there will be more dirt, and children will not be able to ride a bicycle or scooter along such a path.

Combined path of pebbles and boards
  • Wood is used less often for walkways, as this material quickly becomes shabby due to moisture. But it can be solved. For example, lay the boards on a drainage base, which will allow them to ventilate.
  • Those who refuse paths completely construct terraces and platforms from wood. The designs are well ventilated, so they are durable and attractive. Platforms can be used to divide the space into zones. This is a very effective technique that does not make the garden more convenient, but simplifies zoning.

Landscaping of a small area in front of the townhouse - the platform marked a terrace with a dining area, the other part of the garden is made in the form of an alley
  • Garden parquet is used in different styles. It is made from WPC, and this material is known for its moisture resistance. It is not afraid of ultraviolet radiation and is quickly mounted - it simply spreads over the ground and compacts in it.

Building materials are also used, the texture of which is selected for the desired style of landscape design. Additionally, we highlight the following materials:

  1. Concrete tiles.
  2. Clinker brick.
  3. rubber coatings.

Photo gallery of garden paths - beautiful design options for the local area

Small garden lighting

All we see is light and its perception by our brain. By playing with lighting, you can create the most interesting effects and achieve a visual increase in the territory by highlighting the most important zones.


Lighting up a small garden in a minimalist style

Lamps in small gardens are installed at the following points.

Every second resident of the city dreams of a summer cottage away from the hustle and bustle, where they can grow organic vegetables and fruits, enjoy the beauty of flowers planted in flower beds. And now the dream becomes a reality. Leaving the bustle of the city somewhere far away, you arrive at the desired site. As is often the case, we don't know where to start. Taking into account the wishes of the whole family, we study all the materials available to us.

Planning is paramount

Before building up the entire territory, be sure to consider the location of the leading zones: a place for housing, outbuildings, a garage, a bathhouse, an arbor, a playground for children's games, a vegetable garden and a garden. You should not strive to build all of the listed objects. For some, aesthetics is important, others enjoy contact with the earth.

We have many wishes, but, unfortunately, in reality we are faced with a lack of territory. In this case, a site plan will be required, in which all conditions will be taken into account.


Lot distribution outline

When distributing a suburban area into zones, under a garden and a kitchen garden, we determine the largest area (up to 75%). Buildings (a residential building, a barn, etc.) should occupy somewhere around 10% of the total area. The remaining 15% can be applied to flower beds or a recreation area. In this ratio, even the most looks multifunctional and in harmony with nature. Those who acquire a site for aesthetics plant most of it with ornamental plants and.

Zoning a small area

After the theory, we turn to practice, namely to the zoning of the site. The house, its location on the site, the primary task and the starting point for planning other buildings. We place it closer to the entrance, facing the street, and not into the courtyard. From the point of view of saving on one foundation, it is recommended to build a garage near the house. This arrangement is convenient from several sides:

  1. One wall, one foundation – we save a valuable piece of land.
  2. The minimum distance for leaving (as you remember, we are building a house near the entrance).
  3. In the bad weather of their garage, we move into a house without dirt and a drop of rain.

house with garage

Outbuildings look aesthetically pleasing in the depths of the site. In case you decide to place it to the north or northwest side of the world, nothing terrible will happen. Outbuildings will not create an extra shade for plants, but they will be protection from cold winds. Another plus is a saving shade on hot summer days.

There are several factors that cannot be ignored:

  • Small landforms with height fluctuations of several meters - microrelief. Flat areas without slopes and drops are valued higher. This advantage is most likely for small areas.
  • A rectangular area is more pleasant to work with than a trapezoidal one.
  • Pay attention to soil type. What kind of soil do you have: clay, sandy, sandy, loamy? Large areas are more likely to get mixed soil than small ones.
  • ground water. Before laying the foundation, make sure that the groundwater runs deep enough. This knowledge will be useful when planting fruit trees.

Since the average person has small plots, this article will focus on landscape design of small plots.


Cozy summer cottage

Landscaping and design of a small area

Describing your summer cottage in dreams, we imagine it drowning in the flowers of ornamental plants, with well-groomed beds of cultivated plants. To make the dream come true, you need to properly decorate our corner with flowers, shrubs, trees. Applying some rules of landscape design in the design of a small suburban area, you can surprise your neighbors with the beauty and originality of the buildings.

flower garden

Intending to organize a small flower bed, place it on the sides of the entrance or in front of the house. Plants in pots and tubs look quite extraordinary, placed where there is a place. Finding old tires from your husband in the garage, filling them with soil, you can make a beautiful one. With the help of flowers, make a “stream” on a small suburban area. Arrange a small flower framing.


Flower garden from old tires

Landscaping vertically

To visually expand the territory of a small area in landscape design, there is a wonderful technique -. What is remarkable about this technique is the minimum amount of usable area. A wall of climbing plants intertwined around the lintels of garden facades, arbors, trellises, etc. expands the boundaries of the garden, adjusting the space. A green screen of different heights perfectly zones the territory, hides the garden from prying eyes and creates a pleasant shade for you to relax.


Pergola is one of the options

There should be a small amount of shrubs in a small area. Let them be few, but they will delight with flowers all summer. Cotoneaster, hawthorn, jasmine, lilac, wild rose - beautifully colored shrubs. Undemanding, and some are also healthy, do not take up much space. Honeysuckle honeysuckle, calistegia, ivy and many others are used to create hedges, for example.


Shrubs in landscape design

Trees

Plot up to 8 hundred? With such a territory, tall plants should be forgotten. As the tree matures, the free space will shrink. This can be avoided by planting trees on a dwarf rootstock, which guarantees restrained growth and a compact crown. In addition, the site will visually expand if you place them around the perimeter.


Trees in the zoning of the site

Garden

At this word, many people remember a picture with a bare piece of land in the middle of a field. Do not look at the garden only from a practical point of view. Get creative. Get creative. Create a masterpiece with your own hands and your beds will decorate the site.

It is not necessary to allocate an immense plot of land for beds with vegetables. Forgetting the Soviet concept of a garden, we turn the beds into elegant flower beds. Useful can and will be beautiful. Lettuce leaves, onion feathers, curly greens of beets, carrots, in addition to the vitamins necessary for humans, can look decorative.

All garden crops love the sun and fertilized soil. Therefore, when planning landscape design, consider in which part of the site you will place it. We all strive to plant more than we need. Rolling up pickles for a large family, at the end of the winter season we are surprised at the number of remaining cans in the cellar. But let's face it: a few small, well-kept beds can be more than a large weedy plantation.


An ordinary garden can be not only useful, but also beautiful.

Beds - decoration of the site

When making beds in a small area, get creative:

  • Do not try to throw away stale materials: bricks, stones, profiled sheets, plastic bottles, etc. They will make excellent bumpers for beds of any convenient shape.
  • Trellising seasonal vegetables saves a lot of space.
  • Vertical ridges - as an option to save space. The earth warms up under the sun better if the bed is slightly raised above the surface. Accessibility: the ability to approach from different angles.
  • Vegetables are planted along with flowers. Having planted flowers for seedlings, the garden bed, after harvesting, will not be empty. For example: a bed of onions with flowers (marigolds, gladioli, zinnia) will look non-trivial.

Both vegetables and flowers
  • A bed with a flower bed in one flowerpot. Such a bed is called a flower bed. The name itself suggests that vegetables, herbs, flowers not only exist together, but create a charming landscape. The most important thing with this combination is to correctly place the plants in height, think over the row spacing, and select plants according to the flowering period. In this combination, the garden bed has not only an aesthetic appearance.

Flowers (marigolds and marigolds, nasturtium) protect vegetables from the invasion of harmful insects. Conversely, onions and garlic protect bulbous flowers such as tulips, amaryllis, and crocuses from pests.

  • Composite flower beds can be placed in different places of the site, for example, in front of the entrance to the house or between buildings. A bed-bed of flowers and vegetables, decorated among the lawn, will attract attention with its non-triviality.
  • A bed in a barrel. It's just called "in a barrel". In fact, any bulky dishes, a drawer, a large pot, even a baby bath will do. Do-it-yourself old containers painted in the style of a summer cottage can themselves be an element of decor. Such a bed will provide not only a crop of cucumbers, tomatoes, herbs, carrots, beans, but will take on the function of decoration. And after you have harvested, so that the containers are not empty, you can plant flowers: petunia, mirabilis, caliberhoa. The advantage of such a bed is that it is easy to move the containers to a place convenient for you, unlike a bed sown directly on the ground.

Strawberries in a barrel

Seen from different angles. Therefore, when planning landscape design, you need to remember that such a physical obstacle as a fence can turn your cozy corner into a closed "box". For this reason, forget about deaf and closed fences.

The best option would be a forged fence with openwork inserts or a low picket fence made of wood, wattle. Such a fence does not weigh down the look and visually enlarges the territory. The disadvantage of such a fence is that it does not hide you from prying eyes at all. But, if you plant climbing plants along the fence, you will get a living screen of flowers.

Another trick: a massive concrete fence, painted in dark colors and pasted over with wavy details with a mirror finish. Details, displayed in mirror surfaces, visually increase the area.

DIY garden paths in the design of a small garden

The garden paths laid with a filigree pattern do not take up much space in the summer cottage. A network of winding paths made of different materials makes a contrasting small area. Regardless of the material - expensive or auxiliary materials - the tracks visually enlarge a small area. Based on practice, walking along the paths on the site, the shoes will remain clean.

The most common materials for garden paths:

  • A rock. A stone path in front of the entrance to the dwelling gives the summer cottage an expensive look. Due to the impressive cost, not everyone can afford natural stone. Facing brick is suitable for replacement, or rather its remains, laid with a mosaic with your own hands. These tracks can be given a different shape and pattern.
  • From wooden shields and the remnants of boards with your own hands, you can lay out a path in a wooden style. From dampness and rot, treat with wood-protecting agents.
  • Path covered with gravel or screening, will add charm to the pond.
  • By attaching a silicone mold and pouring into it concrete, with your own hands you can make a track of any shape, size, pattern.

If there is not enough material, it is possible to lay the remains of bricks, parts of concrete or wooden elements at a step distance: saw cut, strips, shields, parquet. Plant the rest of the land with grass.

DIY track (video tutorial)

Unfortunately, not everyone can boast of a flat piece of land. Irregularities of the site, a steep slope, a ditch, a pit, from shortcomings can be turned into dignity with exquisite landscape architecture: a bridge made of wood through or live, a platform with two or three levels.

All this beauty, created with your own hands, will betray an atmosphere of peace, will become a recreation center for the whole family. Landscape design of your site is a responsible task for the whole family. A successful solution will bring not only pleasure from the work done, but also the admiration of your friends and neighbors.














Small suburban areas have a common disadvantage, directly related to their modest size. As a rule, the space looks closed and cramped due to the high blank fence and neighboring buildings located nearby. In most cases, the problem is solvable; There are many ways to get rid of the feeling of being in a box. Landscape design of a small area will help visually expand the local area, make it cozy and stylish.

The charm of a small area Source: thewallpaper.com

advance planning

The option when landscape design will be carried out on an undeveloped site is considered optimal, since there is no need to rebuild or relocate existing facilities. Initially, the owners will have to balance dreams with reality and determine the buildings that they really need. The set of necessary facilities may vary from family to family; in most cases, the following elements are included (in various combinations):

    Residential building, garage or a parking space.

    Outbuildings(barn, workshop).

    Leisure buildings(bath, gazebo).

    Technical facilities(well, septic).

The landscape design of a small area is determined by the principle of zoning the territory, which allows you to correctly manage the available square meters.

There are many graphic programs that allow you to correctly plan the site. source seattlehelpers.org

Even a modest suburban area can be turned into a comfortable and, importantly, functional place. During preliminary planning, the following design principles are taken into account:

    On the the buildings(from a residential building to a barn) about 10% of the total area of ​​​​the site is allocated.

    On the garden(including a greenhouse or greenhouse) accounts for the maximum area, up to 75%.

    Rest zone, where the gazebo, flower garden and barbecue area fall, will take about 15%.

The size of the zones can vary depending on the preferences of the owners. Those who are not fond of growing organic vegetables, but love to relax with family and friends, can equip a spacious recreation area with all amenities. Anyone who appreciates the aesthetics of garden decor will plant most of the area with ornamental plants, install a stylish gazebo and fountain.

Small plot - great opportunities Source yandex.ru

Secrets of zoning a small area

At the zoning stage, not only the sizes of the zones are determined, but also their relative location. Around the gazebo, they usually seek to arrange a recreation area, and children will need a place to play. At the same time, everyone understands that it is impossible to arrange a place for children's games next to a barbecue area and build a greenhouse under a dense canopy of trees. Landscape designers recommend simple, space-optimizing techniques that include the following concepts:

    Location of buildings. So that the buildings do not look massive, they are distributed throughout the site, alternating with green spaces and masking behind them. Farm buildings are trying to be located in the depths of the territory.

    Residential building location. It is advantageous to place it at the front fence, facing the street. It is also a wise decision to attach a garage to housing, placing it on the same foundation. This will make construction more economical, and the driveway that absorbs valuable land will not be needed. An additional plus is that you can get into the garage directly from home, which is especially valuable in rainy or frosty weather.

Attached garage - an important condition for a modest site Source stroitelyu.ru

    Determination of geological parameters. The choice of plants and their planting location (especially for fruit trees and exotic ornamental plants) depends on what type of soil is available on the site and how deep the groundwater runs.

    Choosing the style of the local area. Landscape design of a small suburban area is often performed in one of the natural (landscape) styles, since space is required for a regular (symmetrical, geometric) style. Great for English, woodland or country style. Exotic lovers can try the Japanese or Alpine style.

    Plant selection. When choosing trees for planting, take into account the size of their crown in adult form. Usually, tall trees are discarded in a small area; otherwise, the owners will have to annually painstaking work on the formation of the crown.

Country style in the design of a small area Source pinterest.com

    Zone placement. For a recreation area with a gazebo and barbecue, they choose a secluded, quiet place in the back of the site, away from road noise and prying eyes. On the contrary, they try to place a playground near the house, in the shade and in the visibility zone from the windows.

On our website you can find contacts of construction companies that offer landscaping services. You can directly communicate with representatives by visiting the exhibition of houses "Low-Rise Country".

Arrangement nuances: how to visually expand the space

In addition to a residential building and auxiliary buildings, there are other objects that appear during the arrangement of the site and then exist for many years. Before putting up a fence, planting trees and laying garden paths, it is worth considering every little thing; reworking an unsuccessfully laid track is a troublesome and costly business. After dividing the site into zones, you can proceed to their design. The main way to change the perception of space is to divert attention from all sorts of boundaries and barriers.

Video description

About landscape tricks in a small area in the following video:

Fence

The fence directly shows the boundaries of the site; the higher the fence, the more attention it draws, taking up space in our perception and crowding out other details, making them appear smaller. A look that constantly rests on a high blank fence causes a feeling of constriction and discomfort. There are two ways to "push" the boundaries of the site:

    Disguise. The fence is decorated with weaving plants, which creates the effect of continuing the garden. Ivy, grapes, lemongrass, roses will do.

    Replacement. The solid fence is replaced by a lighter, airy structure. It can be a picket fence, a chain-link mesh, a wooden or metal fence-lattice. Trees and shrubs can be planted along the new fence, which, after regular shearing, can completely close the area from prying eyes. Thuja, elm, linden, lilac, viburnum are suitable for the role of a hedge.

Openwork light fence makes the space cozy Source debugthemyths.com

Organization of the species part of the garden

The front part of the site (in the courtyard in front of the house) should be freed from accidental plantings. A neat lawn with beautiful plantings and accessories along the periphery will create the impression of spaciousness, and it will become easier to move around such an area.

Vertical gardening and plant accents

If you can see the entire area, you can estimate its size. Therefore, distortion becomes an important technique of landscape design. It is necessary not only to mask the borders and corners, but also to build barriers to the view. Vertical decorative elements are the best solution because they create perspective. Such simple structures as trellises, screens, hedges and arches are widely used in the arrangement of modest areas.

The most spectacular design is the arch. It is not only a support for climbing plants, but also perfectly separates the zones of the site. Plants that draw attention with a bright color or unusual shape also help to enlarge the space. These can be small bushes or flowers in garden vases, planted within the same zone at its borders.

Arch - a classic way of decorating Source www.yardshare.com

Paths and decorative accents

Beautiful landscape designs of small areas cannot do without paths that are designed in a certain way. In a small area, clear geometric outlines and straight lines are abandoned, and the paths are no exception. Straight lines visually reduce distances, winding lines make you follow yourself, distracting from the close borders of the garden. Therefore, the paths are planned to be winding, and the space between them is filled with plants. This approach serves as an effective way to create the illusion of scale. Properly designed beautiful paths around the house and landscape design of the site no longer seem so cramped.

All paths need paving; Design experts offer many options, including the following common materials:

    A natural stone. A durable material that will harmoniously fit into any design, from English to Oriental, and give it a touch of respectability. Sandstone, dolomite, limestone, tuff, pebbles and shale are used for paving. An expensive option is granite, marble, basalt, porphyry.

Video description

About the design rules for a small backyard in the following video:

    Wood. There are paths made of boards, garden parquet (thermal wood) or saw cuts. Cleverly placed cuts look relevant in a country-style garden.

    Construction Materials. These include paving slabs, processed stone, asphalt, paving stones, clinker bricks and concrete. Gravel or tennessite (material for tennis courts) is often used.

A useful landscape design technique that allows you to divert attention from the size of the site is the placement of decorative details along the paths. They can serve as figurines of animals and gnomes, vases with flowers, small fountains, stone Japanese lanterns.

Winding paths can be the salvation of a small area source seattlehelpers.org

Tiered garden

A complex landscape for a small area is not a punishment, but a gift, because it allows you to create multi-level sites and add volume. Terrain irregularities can be used in different ways:

    If a the site is on a slope, arrange terraces, the passionate love of every landscape designer.

    If a the plot is flat, a small zone on another level can be created in a different way. Among the options are built-in flower beds, alpine slides, small terraces raised above the ground (or vice versa, deepened into it). The effect is emphasized by flowers planted according to the cascade principle.

Video description

How to fit everything you need in a small garden in the following video:

Proper lighting

An effective technique for long summer evenings, which will emphasize the successful landscape design in a small area, is the thoughtful placement of garden lights. They will transform a small area and visually push its boundaries. Arranging the backlight in the garden, use the following principles:

    Fixtures place near paths and decorative details away from the site boundaries.

    use small power lamps and directional lighting. Weak or dotted illumination well indicates the contours of the tracks.

    For gazebos you can pick up bright lighting, then outside the darkness will become impenetrable and hide the true size of the territory.

Using lighting in the design of the track Source pinterest.com

Landscaping of a summer cottage of a small size

Landscape design in a small area includes the selection of suitable plants and their correct location. Preference is given to trees and shrubs of dwarf and low species. If the owners want to see less compact varieties on the site, they must be prepared to take care of them in a timely manner (so that the crown of such trees does not absorb the living space of other plants, it is periodically cut off). When landscaping a small area, the following techniques are used:

    Vertical gardening. It not only decorates and expands the space, but also saves space very effectively.

    Accounting plant requirements for light. An important parameter on which the well-being of green spaces depends. Low-growing plants are planted in the southern part, the highest (as a rule, these are fruit trees) - in the northern part.

    Entry design. Landscape design experts recommend setting up a small lawn or two flower beds at the entrance; the only condition is that they must not be symmetrical.

Competent landscaping of the recreation area Source mart-sad.ru

    Flower beds on the site. There cannot be many of them due to the limited territory. Flowers can be planted near the gazebo and along the paths. A flower bed near the house can be planted with medicinal plants and herbs, which will be not only beautiful, but also useful.

    accents. An original decoration will be a flower bed made from improvised materials. A basket, a cart, a log, a chest, an old shoe or a bicycle can be used.

    Garden organization. A garden is more of a habit than an urgent need. More and more owners are abandoning the beds in favor of expanding the recreation area. Nevertheless, even on a plot of 2-3 acres, you can allocate a little space to have fresh herbs and the most necessary vegetables on the table.

A vertical flower bed attracts attention and saves space Source homegar.ru

Additional details in a small area

Many owners consider it necessary to decorate the site with additional elements, which include:

    Water. In a small area, it is more often powerful to meet a pond, fountain or waterfall than a stream. Modest in size, but beautifully designed, the pond will make the landscape more natural and sure to attract attention. A landscape waterfall will require more effort to organize; it can be combined with an alpine slide. The fountain has long been considered an unaffordable luxury; manufacturers offer exquisite options of various sizes, made of different materials.

    Playground. If there are children in the family, it is important to allocate a cozy and safe place for them to play. Many believe that children can spend time in the gazebo during the day, but this is not always possible. A much better option would be a playground near the house, with swings and a sandbox. You can install a ready-made gaming complex. Such structures are well thought out, safe and compact in placement.

A modest pond will decorate any site Source pinterest.com

Conclusion

It is customary to call small plots with an area of ​​​​2 to 6 acres. Sometimes a much larger plot also looks small if the house built on it is disproportionately large and occupies a significant part of the area. Design secrets are not able to increase the area, but they will help to change the site beyond recognition, making you forget about the true size.

For a city dweller, a house in the dacha sector is associated with rest away from noise and smog, with the opportunity to grow their own organic vegetables and fruits, with the aesthetics of flowering flower beds and with the spaciousness of living space, unlike an apartment.

It will take a lot of effort to turn a land plot into a paradise island of a different reality, allowing you to forget the bustle of the city and taking into account the needs of all family members.

The planning of a summer cottage, regardless of its area, is an important and crucial stage in construction and planting work. Having received a small plot of land in your possession, you need to carefully consider the location of the main areas: a residential area, a playground and a recreation area with a gazebo and a barbecue, a vegetable garden with vegetable beds and a garden with fruit trees and berry bushes, outbuildings, including a bathhouse and a garage .

It is not necessary that all of these zones be present. For some, only the aesthetic component is important, while others like to mess around in the garden. In any case, in order to maintain harmony on your 6 acres, you will need to draw up a site plan, taking into account all the regulations.

The first stage of planning - conditional zoning of the site

When zoning a summer cottage, the largest area (up to 75%) should be allocated to the garden and vegetable garden. At the same time, buildings, including a residential building, should occupy about 10% of the total area. The remaining 15% is recommended to be used for a recreation area and flower beds. It is this ratio of zones that will make the site harmonious and functional, even if the summer cottage is small. However, for those who do not want to plant fruit trees and break vegetable beds, the ratio will shift in favor of the recreation area, and lawn grass and ornamental plants will become the main landscaping.

The next important point is the placement of zones on the site. From the point of view of practicality, it is desirable to place the house closer to the entrance to the site with a facade to the main street and shift to one of the sides, but at the same time, regulatory requirements and orientation to the cardinal points must be taken into account. Outbuildings from an aesthetic point of view, it is better to move to the background deep into the site. If you place them along the fence on the north or northwest side, they will not create excessive shade for plants, but at the same time they will become a barrier to cold winds.

Fruit and berry and ornamental plants are randomly placed around the site, based on the biological characteristics of the species. For vegetable beds and greenhouses, it is better to highlight a lighted place in the center. It is convenient to place a recreation area in the shade of buildings, which will be a salvation on hot summer days.

When zoning, the following factors must be taken into account:

  • microrelief (flat areas with a slight slope have always been valued higher than those with drops or on a slope);
  • the shape of the plot (it is better to work with rectangular plots with an aspect ratio of 1:2 or close to 1:1, as opposed to highly elongated or trapezoidal options);
  • type of soil (loamy or sandy loamy fertile soils are good for both plants and construction work; sandy and rocky soils will cause more trouble);
  • groundwater level (laying the foundation should be carried out with a sufficiently deep occurrence of groundwater; this factor is also taken into account when planting fruit trees);
  • orientation of the site to the cardinal points.

Having a small plot of land, it is easier to avoid heterogeneity in soil type and topography, which can be attributed to a small advantage.

When the approximate boundaries of the zones and significant characteristics of the site are plotted on the project plan, you can proceed to the next stage of planning.

Determining the location and size of individual objects

All buildings must be erected in accordance with SNiP regulations and fire safety standards. The location of rooms in a residential building must be planned taking into account insolation. It is quite difficult and impossible to locate a house on a small plot while maintaining the largest usable area without a rational approach. It is better to reduce the area of ​​the first floor, having lost one room, than to violate the established norms, which is not only fraught with fines and squabbles with neighbors, but also unsafe.

To save space, it is recommended to build a garage together with the house, on a single foundation. This option is very convenient: there is no need to create a gap and lose valuable pieces of land; on rainy days, you can quickly move from the car to comfortable home conditions; the asphalted part for the exit has a minimum length.

Small garden plots do not allow to accommodate all the desired objects, so you need to immediately clearly define your priorities. For some, it is more important to have their own greenhouse for growing seedlings and early vegetables, for others - a cozy gazebo for tea drinking, for others - a playground with swings and fairy-tale figures.

When designing your site, you should not forget about planting cultivated and ornamental plants, because a personal plot should not be completely built up with various kinds of buildings.

A small plot of land on 6 or 4 acres has some features that need to be taken into account when planning landscape design. A small space is clearly visible from any point, so you will need to create barriers that visually divide the site into zones and distort the feeling of space. Hedges, pergolas and arches create the illusion of a large area.

Particular attention should be paid to the fencing of the site. A high blank fence made of corrugated board will squeeze the "paradise" into a rigid frame and emphasize the lack of land. A fence made of a mesh or a wooden picket fence, on the contrary, visually removes the boundaries of the site. An equally successful option would be to create a fence covered with vines or weaving clematis.

A network of winding narrow paths makes a small area more interesting by visually increasing the distance between objects.

When there is not enough space for cultivated plants, planting flowers and ornamental shrubs, which are necessary to decorate the garden plot, becomes a problem. This problem can be solved with the help of flower beds at the main entrance, growing flowers in flowerpots and hanging planters on an open terrace, planting curb varieties along the paths and creating alpine slides and multi-level flower beds.

A well-thought-out design of small areas will not only fit the most necessary objects, but also create harmony, which is very difficult to achieve in a limited space.

Separately, it is worth stopping at the design of the garden and garden. From the whole variety of fruit and berry crops, you should choose only those that are suitable for soil conditions. It is better to buy apple and pear seedlings on a dwarf rootstock, which guarantees restrained growth and a compact crown.

Existing shortcomings in the form of a pit, ditch or a steep slope can be turned into an original landscape composition. An artificial reservoir, a babbling stream with a wooden bridge or a multi-level terrace will create a special atmosphere and become the center of the recreation area.

Thinking over the landscape design of a small area, one should not forget about an open free lawn for children's games and placement of garden furniture (chaise lounge, chairs, table). Non-standard ideas for decorating the territory near the house will give the site a special mood.

Examples of projects for plots of various shapes

Independent planning of a summer cottage requires theoretical knowledge in various fields and a little patience. When planning your 6 acres, you should not clutter up the land allotment with various elements. It is better to leave more space for landscaping than to create cramped and chaos.

A small plot of 4 acres cannot accommodate a large bathhouse and a potato field, but it is quite possible to turn it into a cozy and beautiful corner for outdoor recreation with beds of greens and vegetables for salad.

If the garden plot has a rectangular shape and its length slightly exceeds the width, then its project will not take much time. Interesting planning options are shown below.

It is more difficult to draft small sections of non-standard shapes. On trapezoidal sections, a residential building with a garage or a shed is located immediately in front of the main entrance from the side of the roadway. Outbuildings are located along the fence at some distance from the house, and in the farthest corner you can allocate space for an outdoor toilet or a compost pit.

Plantings of tall trees are placed along the northern side of the site, and berry bushes can be planted on the opposite side. In the very center of the site there is enough free space for a garden or a recreation area, the design of which can be carried out in any style you like.

It will be easier to rationally plan a narrow plot of land if you place the house not with a facade to the main street, but with an end part. But at the same time there will be difficulties with the placement of the garage. There are projects according to which it is proposed to move the house deep into the site, however, in this case, it will be necessary to decorate all outbuildings that are open to the first glance. In addition, such a project will need to be coordinated in various instances, as the structural picture of the street will be disturbed and there will be difficulties for the fire truck to reach in case of an emergency.

Designing and landscaping your site is a responsible task, the successful solution of which will become an object of pride and joy for the whole family.

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