Small Garden Decking Ideas

When deciding on the layout of your garden it’s tempting to plant fewer plants and to not over-clutter your borders. However, a flowerbed, border, or planter packed with a variety of differing elements can maximise the space you have, massively.

• Experiment with different textures, such as lush green succulents, feathery ferns, and tall grasses to create depth to your beds.
• Layer your plants by placing shorter plants at the front and taller ones at the back so that the full bed is visible.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment with large plants. A tall palm or flowering shrub gives height, depth, and texture to your planting. If done well, it can create a longer-looking garden by obscuring parts, creating a sense of mystery.

Plant pollinators. Flowering plants, create a buzz in the garden. BeeBombs.com sells a great hardy variety of bee-friendly blooms.

When floor space comes at a premium, why not opt to think vertical. This maximises space and when done right, can add bundles of character. 

• Hanging baskets increase your capacity for planting, with trailing plants and flowers adding a pinch of colour to your garden.
• An old wooden stepladder can be repurposed as plant shelves, to create a sense of height in decked or slabbed areas.
• A vertical wall of planting, cut into fencing or an old wall takes the eye upwards with trailing plants continuing the planting theme.
• Even a simple plant on a table ties the area together making it a part of the wider theme.

Though it may sound contradictory, it is possible to make a small garden look larger by sectioning off different zones for specific materials, planting or purposes. A small lawn can look nice but having somewhere dry and mud-free to sit is also important.

• Experiment using multiple materials. Stone, slate, turf or decking can add to the detail in a smaller garden.
• Consider building a patio to create a specific zone for sitting, place it in the area which maximises sunlight. Consider screens, bamboo, timber or rustic metal screens can create a cosy nook for huddling around a fire pit.
• Composite decking is a great alternative to timber, as it requires no maintenance. Looking good, year-round it is the ideal solution for the busy professional or those who have not the time or energy to maintain a timber deck.
• Careful planting can create pathways which meanders around your garden. Not being able to see the whole garden in one glance adds to the illusion of a larger garden.

The way you dress your deck can make or break your theme. Too much furniture can look clumsy and cramped, too little can make a space look sparse. Try to choose functional, multi-purpose furniture to save on clutter.

• Try to choose furniture which has a small footprint. A tall table with stools is functional and takes up less space than a garden sofa and coffee table.
• Choose furniture you can see through or under. Garden furniture with long legs or a slatted design creates less of an impact than a solid piece. Visible deck underneath your furniture adds to the flow and continuity of your garden.
• Choose multipurpose furniture. Incorporate planting into tables to tie seating areas into the rest of the garden. Build seating around your hot tub or a tree to maximise space.

Composite decking lasts a long time, NeoTimber® is guaranteed for 25 years, and so choosing the texture, colour and finish is important as it will down be for a long time. Here are some hints to help you choose the right composite decking colour for your small garden:

• Lighter coloured composite decking tends to look bigger by increasing the amount of light in your garden. Light surfaces reflect light, whereas dark absorbs light.
• Laying decking boards width-ways in a narrow garden increases the apparent width of your garden in much the same way as vertical stripes in clothing make you appear taller.
• Take care to use every inch of available space. By installing your composite decking from wall-to-wall you create a smooth continuity which maximises all available space.
• Even with a small deck, experiment with laying patterns, picture framing and varying textures to highlight things of interest for the eye to fall upon.