Design ideas for slim gardens

Steph Mann Steph Mann
homify Modern style gardens
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Having a garden of any size is an absolute luxury. Especially if you live in a larger city, like London, where prices rise sharply if the house has a garden. As a result, gardens come in all shapes and sizes, from roof terraces to postage stamp sized yards. 

No matter the shape and size of a garden, having one at all is a lovely thing to own. Long and thin gardens can often prove challenging when it comes to design and how we want to them to look. The lack of width can make it difficult to have a patio area alongside a grass area, for example, and these may have to be divided. We have chosen 10 garden designs for you to look at, so if you are having a design dilemma, we hope these can help!

The first rule of design…

… is keep it simple. If you are in any doubt about what to do with a long and thin garden  space, the answer is keep it clean and simple. This garden is beautiful. Simple does not mean dull. Lined with a lovely fence, the perimeter is also home to some trees, which add privacy. The grass is a perfect choice for a family home, as it gives children somewhere safe to play. The path leads up to the house which has a raised patio area, making most use of the views and the space.

A garden for gown ups

Not every home is a family home. If you don't have young children, or have older ones, then the garden is less about them and more about you. It can be a place to entertain and chill out with friends and family. This garden is a lovely example of how thin gardens can still be stunning. The patio areas is a perfect place to kick back and relax. With two small ponds to pass, as you walk down the path to the additional seating area at the bottom, this garden oozes style. Designed by Josh Ward, it is something to look at.

Light it up

Gardens are not just to be used in the day time. During those summer days, as food turns into wine with friends, why call an end to the day? Use a long thin garden as a place to sit and relax. A good patio area can make a garden. Lighting can also really add to the overall appearance of a garden and make it feel warm and welcoming in the evening.

Use lines

Visually, a long garden takes your eye to the end, so make it worthwhile. This garden uses the fact that it is long and thin to work to it's advantage. The central water feature draws your eye from one end of the garden to the other, then back again with the flow of the water. The rear of this garden has either an office or a guest room, either way, it is an excellent use of the space and something we think is worth considering.

A place for many

A long thin garden could be limited for space, in terms of people. However, this isn't always the case if the space is used correctly. This patio areas has a large table that is brilliant for holding lots of guests. The lighter stones work well with the patio, and the red chairs add some colour. The garden stone wall is a delight on the eye and leads us onto a lovely green at the rear of the property.

A side garden

Some houses don't have a garden to the front or rear, but one at the side, or a wrap around garden. This outside space has been utilised to the best of it's ability. By concreting the whole yard, maintenance is kept to a minimum. However, greenery has been added in the growing vines that adds a lovely break in colour. Seating has been kept to a simple bench, but it is still somewhere you can relax or the kids can play safely. Perhaps the addition of some additional garden furniture would be a good idea too.

Slender times

Opening up the rear of the house, as in this image, can really add to any garden. By replacing a wall with folding doors, the house opens directly onto the patio. Using a long thin garden, like this one, with a patio area that leads onto grass, is a clean and crisp design.

One for the kids

Not all gardens are about gown ups! This is a very long and thin garden and space is very limited. It doesn't mean we can't create a fun, safe place for our kids to roam in. The grass is neatly cut and bordered by a lovely coloured fence and hedge, for added privacy. The slide and climbing frame add a good use of space, that any child will love. Watch them play from a sun lounger or the kitchen window!

Go natural

When you don't want to be fenced in, or have no neighbours, why not go natural? Let your garden shine like nature intended. A long thin garden on a slope is pictured here. The rock garden is simply stunning, with plants growing out to make it look like any hillside. The garden leads down to a patio area and a shed or out building, and has stunning views out. There is still a perimeter fence for security, but it doesn't impede the view.

When space is limited

Urban gardens, as we said before, can be tiny. The may be long and thin, but this doesn't always equal space. So when space is limited, make the most of all of it. This beautiful garden is simple, with slabs and stones. Lined by potted plants and some small trees, nothing is too imposing, they only add to the finished look. The wooden seating area makes excellent use of the space and it is a great place to invite friends.

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