Designing a narrow garden? That's not always easy. Or at least, that's what many of our customers think. Their biggest fear is that the garden will end up looking like a boring, long rectangle with a neat lawn. But how can you give that limited space a cozy, playful look?
Good news, because a narrow garden offers a surprising number of possibilities! With smart layouts, creative lines, and the right accents, you can turn it into an outdoor space that you will enjoy every day. Below you will find practical narrow garden ideas that will inspire you right away.
Divide your garden into zones
The biggest trick when designing a narrow garden? Think in zones. By dividing the garden cleverly, it will appear larger and more multifunctional. Start by considering the different uses for your garden: will it be purely for relaxation? Do you want a play area for children? Or are you perhaps planning to finally fulfill your dreams of having a vegetable garden? Next, depending on the space required for each purpose and the position of the sun, consider where you can position these areas in the garden.
Here are a few ideas:
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A cozy terrace or seating area at the front, ideal for a cup of coffee or breakfast in the sun (and not too far from the kitchen!).
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A path that leads you further into the garden, sparking your curiosity.
- A play area or flower-filled border in the middle.
- At the back, a cozy seating area where you can relax undisturbed.
By not placing everything in a straight line, you create surprising corners and invite your garden to be explored!
2. Say goodbye to straight lines
Straight paths and borders emphasize the narrow shape of the garden. The sleek shapes of these elements will only increase the ‘tube effect’ of your garden! By choosing curved or diagonal lines, you break up that length and your garden immediately looks more playful.
Think of:
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A winding path from your patio to the back.
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A sloping border on the side.
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Stepping stones that make your gaze zigzag.
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A pergola or arch that subtly breaks the line of sight.
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An eye-catcher at the back, such as a beautiful shrub or a sculpture.
This not only gives your garden more character, but also makes it feel optically wider.
3. Work with height
Height creates depth, which is exactly what you need in a narrow garden. You don't need to create half-meter differences in height: small changes can work wonders.
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Raised planters add structure.
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Climbing plants and pergolas draw the eye upward.
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Multi-stemmed trees break up sightlines.
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Striking flowers along the sides draw attention to the width.
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By working with (subtle) differences in height, you can add playfulness to your design without taking up extra space! In addition, you often increase the biodiversity of your garden: win-win!
4. Play with color and plants
Color can be used to make a narrow garden appear wider. Place light, delicate plants at the front and darker, more robust varieties at the back.
Also useful:
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Use tall ornamental grasses or shrubs to subtly delineate zones.
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Don't let the garden be visible at a glance—that makes it more exciting.
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Alternate soft and rich colors for extra depth
Plants are your best friend here: they not only provide structure, but also atmosphere and experience. Tip: use a variety of plants to bring color to your outdoor environment all year round!
5. Smart foundation for any narrow garden
Want a low-maintenance foundation that's easy to combine with any design? Then Resigrass artificial grass could be a great solution. You decide how to implement it:
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A complete installation with excavation, sand bedding, edging stones, and finishing.
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Just the installation of the sand bed and artificial grass.
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Or a DIY project with a handy step-by-step plan from our team.
This gives you a practical surface that always looks great, leaving you free to focus your energy on the fun details of your garden!
Time to tackle your narrow garden?
A narrow garden doesn't have to be a limitation. With a good plan, a few smart layout tricks, and attractive details, you can turn it into an outdoor space that will make you happy every day.
Would you like inspiration or tailored advice? Feel free to visit Resigrass or request a no-obligation quote. Every day, we help customers turn their gardens into real, low-maintenance eye-catchers, and we would be happy to do the same for you!
