25 Best Small Garden Ideas

Even a balcony can become an oasis. 🪴

Sometimes good things do come in small packages! Small gardens can be just as lovely and welcoming as a big, sprawling backyard. Whether you have a tiny grass space, a small patio, or even a balcony, there are plenty of small garden ideas to make your compact outdoor space feel special and personal.

For starters, think about how you want to use your small garden, then approach decorating it as you would any room of your house. Truthfully, there are no rules as to how you should decorate your garden; it's really about what makes you happy. Is it somewhere you want to venture with your morning coffee or unwind after work? Would you like to be able to grow a few herbs or strawberries? Do you want to surround yourself with beautiful flowers or cute patio decorations?

Once you identify what's important to you, focus on incorporating some of our small garden ideas gathered here. From window boxes (if you have zero space) to potting benches that do double-duty for growing plants and serving cocktails during parties, we’ve got plenty of small garden ideas that are super-easy and inexpensive. You may even be able to repurpose items you already have around the house, such as Mason jars, used for backyard lighting. The goal is to create a garden that you’ll want to spend time in. So go ahead and make the most of your space with these creative small garden ideas.

Container gardening doesn't have to be boring. Here, painted birdhouses and DIY planters echo the colors of the flowers to create one gorgeous display.

SHOP BIRDHOUSES

Upcycle plastic bottles and hang them to create mini-terrariums, which also makes the most of limited space. You can use bottles of any size, and don't forget to punch holes in the bottom for drainage.

SHOP POTTING MIX

No room in your backyard for a full-sized fire pit? A tabletop fire pit still gives you the ambiance and fun of a fire but in a petite size. And you can still toast marshmallows over it, too!

SHOP TABLETOP FIRE PITS

A bench makes it easy to repot plants, so you won't have to bend over. Plus, it doubles as a buffet for entertaining. Just use it as a drink or dessert station.

SHOP POTTING BENCHES

Personalizing your garden is one way to make a small space feel more welcoming. This little herb garden gets a fun touch by balancing tiny clay pots on stakes to add practicality and whimsy at the same time.

SHOP MINI TERRA COTTA POTS

No room to plant what you love? Adorn a bare fence with small window boxes. In this case, the window boxes create a living wall, and keep tulip bulbs up safe from hungry garden visitors such as chipmunks.

SHOP WINDOWBOXES

Elevate the look of your herb garden by planting them in a circle. Here stonework is used to define and accent the design, as well as slightly elevate the center planting.

SHOP HERBS

By repeating the lavender plantings throughout this small space, the homeowner created a fragrant and peaceful oasis. Upcycled wo0den pallets are used for the tables and shelves, while salvaged wood makes up the simple fence to define the seating area.

SHOP LAVENDER PLANTS

An old whisky barrel is repurposed into a miniature pond, complete with lily pads and other small aquatic plants. It's a great way to enjoy a water feature without having to dig!

SHOP AQUATIC PLANTS

When the weather is nice, you want to spend as much time as possible outdoors. Even the tiniest patios, balconies or decks have room for a petite bistro table and chairs—perfect for dining al fresco on a lovely summer's evening.

SHOP PATIO BISTRO SETS

A pallet is repurposed into a handy wall garden to make the most of a small space. Herbs tuck nicely into the miniature planting areas, while chalkboard paint allows you to label each one.

SHOP CHALKBOARD PAINT

Make your garden feel magical with string lights and jars hung from branches. You can add electric lights, or place tea lights inside Mason jars and suspend for a perfectly delightful low-tech display.

SHOP MASON JARS

Hide an unsightly wall or fence by adding a layer of bamboo as camouflage. This also plays well if you want to create a peaceful garden.

SHOP BAMBOO FENCING

Dress up a birdbath with a planting of adorable succulents. It's the perfect accent for a small corner.

SHOP BIRD BATHS

Stock tanks are another way to add a no-dig pond feature. Containers planted with colorful annuals soften the hard edges at the front and sides.

SHOP STOCK TANKS

Even the tiniest space can be transformed into a garden. Here, palettes are repurposed to hold a variety of clay pots to create a charming gathering place for houseplants and herbs.

SHOP CLAY POTS

Small spaces don't have to be boring. A single Adirondack chair in a bright color contrasts beautifully with the vibrant annuals and perennials planted near it.

SHOP ADIRONDACK CHAIRS

A corner of a small patio is the perfect place to display a number of succulents. The containers themselves make an impact because of their complimentary shapes and earth tones.

SHOP OUTDOOR POT SETS

Turf is costly and time-consuming to maintain. Instead, transform a small back yard into a brick courtyard, complete with simple boxwood plantings and a small herb garden. No more mowing!

SHOP GARDEN BENCHES

Design ideas that work indoors also work outdoors! Hang a mirror in your small garden to create a feeling of enlarged space.

SHOP MIRRORS

Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She's passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.

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