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Nurturing a garden can make us feel happy, calm and prideful. Not to mention, the presence of lush greenery and flowers can instantly spruce up your outdoor space. If you only have a small area, you can choose vegetables, fruits, and herbs that are easy to grow and can be picked at their best, or you can choose tropical plants, evergreen shrubs, or perennial flowers that need even less care. No matter what, we’ve put together a list of cute small garden ideas that cover a wide range of topics, from decorating with potted plants to building raised garden beds and unique vertical gardens.
There is a cheap way to improve every part of your home, from the front yard landscaping to the back vegetable garden to flower pots on a stylish patio. Even if you’re a new gardener, we can help. For a modern look on the porch, turn vinyl gutters into planters, hang fresh herbs from a wooden palette, or use hand-made plant markers to keep things in order. Build a small fish pond, bubble fountain, or arched trellis with trailing plants if you want to show off your DIY skills.
If you’re planning a new garden to improve the one you already have, don’t forget to think about the plants you want to grow and how much water, sunlight, and soil they need. Now, start scrolling these outdoor photos to find an idea thats compatible with your small space.
Minimalist garden designs are becoming increasingly popular for their simplicity elegance and low maintenance requirements. Though often associated with modern architecture, minimalist garden principles can work with any style of home. The key is keeping things simple and uncluttered. With some smart planning and design tricks, you can create a gorgeous minimalist garden without breaking the bank.
Benefits of a Minimalist Garden
There are many advantages to embracing minimalism for your outdoor space:
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Lower maintenance. Fewer plants, features, and ornaments mean less time spent weeding, pruning, cleaning, etc
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More peaceful. The simplicity helps reduce visual noise and clutter for a calmer environment
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Cleaner lines. With fewer components, you can create a crisp, coherent landscape.
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Greater focus. Minimizing distractions lets you appreciate each carefully chosen element.
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Lower costs. Simplicity sidesteps expensive floral displays, statuary, furnishings, etc.
Planning Your Design
When planning a low cost minimalist garden, restraint and intentionality are key. Consider the following tips:
Take Inventory
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Survey your existing hardscapes and plants. Decide what’s worth keeping vs. removing.
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Measure lawn and planting bed sizes. This informs plant choices.
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Note sunlight patterns. Sun-loving plants go in the brightest spots.
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Identify problem areas like drainage, eroding soil, etc. Address issues first.
Set a Budget
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Research expected costs for materials, plants, tools, labor if hiring help.
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Prioritize must-haves first, then see what’s feasible within your budget.
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Used and salvaged materials can save substantially on hardscaping.
Choose a Limited Plant Palette
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Select just 2-3 plant types for smaller areas, 5-7 for larger gardens.
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Favor native, drought-tolerant varieties suited for your climate and conditions.
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repetition creates harmony. Use the same plants in different areas.
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Include some evergreens for year-round structure.
Design for Low Maintenance
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Minimize lawn areas which require mowing, edging, fertilizing, etc.
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Use hardscapes like pea gravel, pavers, stones instead of labor-intensive beds.
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Group plants with similar needs together for easier care.
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Install irrigation in planted beds to reduce watering chores.
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Use mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
Creating Your Minimalist Garden
With mindful planning and design, you can achieve a stunning minimalist garden without overspending. Here are key steps to follow:
Define Spaces and Circulation
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Mark where key rooms like patio, sitting area, path will go.
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Ensure paths are wide enough for intended use.
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Arranging spaces off a central path creates an orderly flow.
Build Hardscapes and Structures
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Keep materials simple like concrete, gravel, pavers, stones.
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Wood can add warmth but require more maintenance.
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Limit or omit ornamental features like statuary, arbors, etc.
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Use informal stepping stones instead of costly constructed paths.
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Salvaged materials make great edging affordably.
Plant Creatively
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Use repetition for bold impact. Plant in odd numbers for visual interest.
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Plant in drifts or swaths instead of traditional beds. Let plants intermingle.
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Vary heights for layering and depth. Go tall in back, short in front.
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Add sculptural plants like ornamental grasses or spiky succulents for drama.
Finishing Touches
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Add minimal furniture like benches, chairs in neutral tones.
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Use weather-resistant fabrics and materials.
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Lighting can create drama for nighttime enjoyment. Go for spot vs. flood lighting.
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Add subtle pops of color with garden art, containers, or colored pots.
Maintaining Your Minimalist Garden
Follow these tips to keep your space looking pristine with minimal work:
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Weed regularly before unwanted plants spread. It’s easier when caught early.
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Prune strategically to remove dead wood and encourage desired growth habits.
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Group pruning and maintenance tasks to maximize work sessions.
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Monitor soil nutrients and amend annually to keep plants healthy with less effort.
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Adjust irrigation schedules seasonally to provide optimal water without excess.
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Every few years, thin overgrown plantings and replace declining specimens.
Enjoying the Benefits
A thoughtfully planned minimalist garden offers immense satisfaction. As you sip tea on a quiet bench surrounded by tranquil greenery and clean lines, you’ll appreciate the beauty of simplicity. The reduced time, money, and effort spent on maintenance means more chances to relax and recharge in your personal sanctuary. With smart design choices, any budget can yield a private minimalist retreat.
Craft a Sun Catcher
This hand-crafted sunflower sun catcher will add a dose of cheer to your outdoor garden. Youll need a and acrylic paint to get started, plus beads thatll sparkle in full sun.
Fill a Tray With Plants
This metal table, originally intended for serving drinks, now overflows with Irish moss and succulents on a patio. Advertisement – Continue Reading Below.
22 Cheap No Grass Backyard Ideas For Low-Maintenance Garden
FAQ
What is the most low maintenance landscaping?
What is the best low maintenance garden for the elderly?
Are low-maintenance plants a good choice for a minimalist garden?
Modern minimalist garden and landscape design commonly opt for low-maintenance plants. Not only are they require little upkeep, but those plants generally also feature stunning appeal that will effortlessly adorn the sleek garden design.
What is modern minimalist front yard landscaping?
Modern minimalist front yard landscaping is a timeless approach to designing your yard in a simple way by taking into account color, form, line, texture, and scale. This urban garden design features plants, but not those that will make the homeowner hustle with gardening. Plants, concrete, and rock are popular elements in ultra modern front yards.
What is minimalist gardening?
Taking their cue from decluttered houses, they offer space that works for our lifestyles. Minimalist gardening is all about space and how it is used. Following the trends in interior design, it tends to involve a restricted palette of hard landscaping materials and plants, combined with a design of bold, simple lines.
How to create a minimalist garden?
You can introduce water features in your minimalist garden. We highly recommend having, either a small fish pond, bird bath, or fountain. But for the fountain, don’t add too much. Just a petite one with granite design to highlight the modern minimalism you opt for your outdoor space design.
How to choose furniture for a minimalist garden?
A dining area and a patio set-up are two examples of basic furniture items with a high need or function in an outdoor space. When selecting furniture for a minimalist garden, go for sturdy materials, simple designs, and uniform colors. In minimalist designs, fewer plants are responsible for setting the landscape mood of your garden.
How to design a minimalist backyard?
When designing your minimalist backyard, it’s also a good idea to select plant species that are both pretty and low-maintenance. For instance, shrubs such as Euonymus fortunei are well worth adding to your backyard. This hardy and undeniably attractive evergreen with dual-coloured leaves offers a potential spread of 1.5m.