Every item on this page was chosen by a Woman's Day editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

50 Small Garden Ideas to Transform Your Space

These beautiful budget-friendly ideas will work for even the tiniest layout.

small garden ideas — lattice

So you don’t have a sprawling lawn or a home surrounded by manicured acreage. But what you do have is a patio, a porch, a rooftop, a deck, a balcony — or even just a window. And in even the smallest among those spaces, you can create a beautiful, peaceful environment that conjures the joy of the outdoors with an array of small garden ideas designed to maximize space cleverly and creatively.

In even a windowsill or a stoop, you can plant an herb garden that is fragrant, visually appealing, and adds flavor to your food (while saving costs). On a balcony or porch, you can add a compact fountain or other water feature, plus wind chimes, string lights, and a hummingbird feeder to bring sensory pleasure and charm to your everyday experience of home. And if you have even a small outdoor garden, you can transform it into a delightful retreat with seating and a shade structure, plus abundant flowers and foliage in pots, on shelves, in hanging baskets, in garden boxes, and right in the ground.

Let these small garden ideas and products inspire you to make the most of your outdoor space (or even natural light indoors if that's what you're working with!) to make your own home into the lush paradise you deserve. (No green thumb required.)

small garden ideas — birdbath planter
Lisa Romerein
1 of 50
Birdbath Planter

Repurpose a birdbath as a splendid planter, overflowing with unique succulents or colorful blooming flowers.

small garden ideas — hammock
Rodrigo Snchez / EyeEmGetty Images
2 of 50
Hammock

You don't need a sprawling space to enjoy the sheer joy of relaxing in a hammock — you just need two points to anchor it, and voila!

Related: The 8 Best Hammocks for All Your Relaxation Needs

small garden ideas — lattice
3 of 50
Lattice

Train vining plants along a lattice for an eye-catching and manicured look on a wall bordering your space.

4 of 50
Outdoor String Lights

String lights have a way of transforming any space, regardless of its size, into a magical wonderland at twilight and after the sun goes down.

small garden ideas — movie screen
M_a_y_aGetty Images
5 of 50
Movie Screen

Make it movie night in your small garden with a pull-down screen that tucks away when not in use. Or, if you have a white wall (or even a white sheet!) you can turn your space into an intimate theater with just a projector.

small garden ideas — french doors
Oliver RossiGetty Images
6 of 50
Focus on the Flow

To get maximum enjoyment out of your small garden, “merge the indoors with the outdoors,” suggests landscape architect Blythe Yost, co-founder of the online landscape design company Tilly. “Find ways to blur the lines between the inside and outside so that your backyard can be thought of as an extension of your home. This can mean features like French doors, extending the flooring of your interior into an outdoor patio, installing big windows, or placing some indoor plants near the entrance to your backyard.”

small garden ideas — storage
JohnnyGreigGetty Images
7 of 50
Stay Organized

“When you have a small space, storage is key and will help the space feel organized,” explains Tilly’s Yost. “Having a designated spot for kids' toys, and a place to put your patio umbrella or couch cushions will help your space feel open and not cluttered.”

vertical garden for small garden ideas
wayraGetty Images
8 of 50
Vertical Garden

If you don't have space in terms of width, the only way to go is up. Vertical gardening can be done along a wall, fence, or even roof.

9 of 50
Fence Pots

Use your walled space to its fullest potential by hanging planters along the perimeter.

small garden ideas — color block planters
Peter Zelei ImagesGetty Images
10 of 50
Color Blocking

Give your space a tidy, pretty look by color blocking with flowers arranged in a grid pattern.

small garden ideas — sling chair
Roberto WestbrookGetty Images
11 of 50
Sling Chairs

Sling chairs make for comfortable seating with a small footprint. And you can even fold them up and tuck them against a wall when not in use.

small garden ideas — square foot gardening
ArterraGetty Images
12 of 50
Square Foot Gardening

Square foot gardening divides planter boxes into grids to maximize growth potential for a diverse array of plants in a small space.

small garden ideas — hanging flowers
Kateryna Kovalenko / EyeEmGetty Images
13 of 50
Hanging Flowers

No matter the size of your space, hanging colorful blooms adds so much visual appeal. Pro tip: For guests or a special occasion, supplement the look with extra stems from a store-bought bouquet.

14 of 50
Macrame Plant Hanger

Everything old is new again! Those '70s macrame plant hangers are ultra-chic again and can help you maximize a small space with hanging greenery.

small garden ideas — container gardening
Buff Strickland
15 of 50
Container Gardening

Take your deck to the next level by using containers to create a lush look. Plant flowers, vegetables, succulents — whatever you like to create the look (and function) of your dreams.

small garden ideas — potted fruit tree
Catherine Falls CommercialGetty Images
16 of 50
Potted Fruit Trees

Some fruit trees, such as the calamondin orange shown here, do very well in pots. Bonus: You'll have plenty of fruit to share with neighbors and friends!

17 of 50
Hydroponics Growing System

You don't even need any outdoor space at all — nor even a green thumb — to create a thriving garden. This hydroponic option is compact and foolproof.

small garden ideas — stair plants
Linda RaymondGetty Images
18 of 50
Stair Plants

Make the most of a small outdoor space by using all available real estate for planting: Don't forget the stairs!

19 of 50
Colorful Planter

Sure, terra cotta is a classic. But you can make your small garden pop with the addition of some colorful planters in coordinating or contrasting colors.

small garden ideas — paper lanterns
vgajicGetty Images
20 of 50
Paper Lanterns

Adorn your small garden with paper lanterns for a chic, decorative, and inexpensive way to dress up your space for guests. (Just don't forget to remove and store them before any rain.)

SetItDownShop
21 of 50
SetItDownShop
DIY Plant Hanger

Maximize your space and personalize it at the same time. This DIY macrame plant hanger will be a joy to make — and a conversation piece in the garden.

Tertill
22 of 50
tertill
Weeding Robot

No time (or inclination) to maintain your small garden? This solar-powered weeding robot is here to help.

Divine Home
23 of 50
Divine Home
Colorful Cushions

Brighten your small space with some bright or patterned throw pillows and cushions. They'll add comfort, color, and cheer.

small garden ideas — raised beds
David BurtonGetty Images
24 of 50
Raised Beds

“Raised garden beds or trellis planter boxes are ideal for any backyard spaces as they require minimal space and allow homeowners to add both beauty and functionality to their yard,” explains Joe Raboine, a residential outdoor living expert with Belgard. “You can grow beans, peas, or other veggies and herbs to use in your own cooking, or add some plants that will bring warmth to the area.”

small garden ideas — trellis planter box
Andreas von EinsiedelGetty Images
25 of 50
DIY Trellis Planter

Raboine explains that creating a trellis planter box for a small garden is a doable weekend project for a DIYer. “Most of these projects can be built over a weekend and require minimal tools and material,” he says. “Experiment with different lengths and widths. It’s the perfect project to build out your dream garden!”

small garden ideas — window planter
Ana Maria SerranoGetty Images
26 of 50
Window Planter

If you live in a high-rise or multi-unit building without a dedicated outdoor space, use your windows as the foundation for potted plants or herbs.

small garden ideas — pond
EirasophieGetty Images
27 of 50
Petite Pond

Trick out your small garden with a compact pond that will make your space feel (and look) like a storybook retreat.

monadecor
28 of 50
monadecor
Fountain

Instantly elevate your small garden with an elegant fountain or water feature. Bonus: The trickling sound imparts a calming vibe. “A miniature water feature, like a small fountain, adds a dose of luxury," explains Ryan Trudell, landscape architecture expert at Creative Environments. "Not to mention, it's a great way to relax and unwind to the ambient sounds of water."

29 of 50
Planter Shelves

“Use varying heights and smaller shelves for herbs and other annuals to create depth,” Creative Environments’ Trudell suggests.

small garden ideas — oversized pots
Rosemary CalvertGetty Images
30 of 50
Oversized, Overflowing Pots

“If you have a small porch, grab a large pot that can handle multiple plants to lend a lush richness,” Trudell recommends.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
More From Home