Words Hoard & Heath

Illustrations Hoard & Heath

Weathered terracotta, brick walls and a gravel path frame this imagined courtyard. A wooden chair gives it a purpose beyond the planting. For a small outdoor space of your own, begin with the places to sit and walk, then choose plants for the light and conditions available.

Find the spot you want to use

Spend a little time outside before deciding where furniture and pots should go. Notice the light, wind and any view you would like to enjoy or soften. Try a chair in a few positions rather than treating the centre of the space as the only option.

Keep the route to the door clear and make sure there is room to pull a chair out. In a compact space, the ability to move easily is part of the pleasure of being there.

A weathered timber chair with room around it beside terracotta pots and a gravel path in the imagined courtyard.

Build a small, deliberate collection

A few pots of different heights can make a corner feel layered. Repeating a material, such as weathered terracotta, helps the arrangement feel connected without requiring identical containers.

Check drainage, the amount of sun and the space a mature plant will need before choosing it. The courtyard shown here is a design illustration rather than a planting plan. For your own garden, select plants suited to your conditions and ask a local nursery when you need specific advice.

Leave some open ground

Resist filling every gap. A clear patch beside the chair can be as useful as another pot, and makes watering or sweeping easier. Larger containers can sometimes simplify an arrangement, but make sure you can manage their weight and care.

Look at the space from inside the house too. A pot placed where you see it through a window can offer enjoyment even on days when you do not go outside.

Weathered terracotta pots at different heights with layered leaves and faded flowers against mellow brick.

Let the seasons change the scene

Think about how the corner will be used across the year. A cushion that comes indoors after use, a sheltered place for tools and an easy watering routine can help it remain inviting.

Observe what thrives before adding more. A small garden gives you a chance to get to know a few plants well, and to adjust the space gradually as your habits and the seasons change.

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