Garden Design Series: Little Courtyard
Would you like to sit out in the garden? Why, yes, that would be lovely!
What comes to your mind when you think of a courtyard? Perhaps its an image of the stately gardens of kings and barons. The kind with a fountain at the center. Maybe the inner “commons” area of your condominium is referred to as a “courtyard.”
Sometimes public spaces at a Mall are called a “courtyard”. I’m sure you’ve heard of a “food court” .
Technically speaking, a courtyard is simply an area fully or partially enclosed by walls, but is wide open to the sky overhead. It has nothing at all to do with size. But it sure sounds fancy when it rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? “Let’s sit out in the courtyard, shall we?”
It doesn’t have to be a terribly big space. You can have a nice garden spot to share with friends and surround yourself with blooming color. If you’re longing for your own little private haven, the good news is that it’s absolutely doable for small spaces and a small budget as well.
Creating a little courtyard
Many people live in condos or town homes where there’s hardly any room for an in-the-ground garden. But a small outdoor space can be made into a charming and inviting place to spend time.
Even spaces you wouldn’t ordinarily think of—like under a balcony or deck—can be turned into a secluded little hideaway. The photo below is a great example of this. I absolutely love what these homeowners did with this unlikely space.
The plants and wood planters soften up the harshness of the pale concrete wall. Think of what a drab, depressing place this would be otherwise. The plants add “life” and interest to this space. If this is a hot climate, there’s adequate shade and a cool, refreshing space to escape the sun, yet still be outside. The slatted privacy screen blends artistically with other wood features that have totally transformed this into it’s own unique little courtyard.
Basic tips for creating a courtyard
Use lots of flowers & decorative planters
Because planting space is minimal, the garden simply moves above ground into easy-to-care-for container gardening. Fill urns and baskets with non-stop flowering annuals to soften the space and give it an English cottage garden feel.
Use scented plants like jasmine to naturally fragrance the garden. Herbs such as thyme, lavender and mint are good choices as well. Depending on your climate, small succulents can be tucked into nooks and crannies to give a bit more variety to the space.
But don’t go overboard either! According to Gardener’s World.com , a courtyard space works best if kept clean and uncluttered. That goes for plants as well. So don’t cram too many in and try to stick with plants and flowers that have manageable growth habits.
You want the space to be inviting, so guests should be able to sit comfortably without their clothes snagging on branches as they pass by. They’d feel terrible if they accidentally broke a stem or worse, knocked a flower pot to the ground.
Trees with vertical growth habits
Some varieties of trees can be planted in containers. They give an important vertical element to the garden. Fortunately, trees with vertical (not bushy) growth habits are in hot demand and there’s more variety and availability than ever before! Ask the garden experts in your area for good recommendations.
Seating
Small patio sets are perfect for a little courtyard garden space. Find a set that matches your decor theme, though. Because it’s a prominent feature, the right style of furniture will make the garden even more appealing.
Decorating your personal courtyard
What you’re doing, essentially, is decorating an outside room. Because it’s such a petite space, everything you use should have a common decor style and choice of color(s) to pull the look together.
If you’re budget conscious, see if there’s a Rebuild Center near you. They’ll have quality used and remnant building materials. Things like floor tile, brick, outdoor light fixtures for half the price of new. Perfect for small projects like this!
Nighttime Ambiance
A lot of courtyard gardens are accessed through sliding glass doors. If you can look out and see them from the inside, then its like an extension of the home. Therefore, it’s nice to light that area up at night to give it a cozy atmosphere.
String small white mini lights on a tree or trellis, or lay a strand along the top of a dividing wall. Candles and lanterns also make wonderful accent lights. A fire kindled in a chiminea (small outdoor fireplace) creates a sense of intimacy and makes a courtyard that much more inviting after dark.
Mirrors and picture frames
Creative use of mirrors can add a sense of whimsy to a little courtyard. Mirrors reflect to make a small space feel larger. Place the mirror so it reflects what you want it to. Likewise, an empty picture frame mimics a window. It creates a ‘break’ in a solid wall making it seem less bulky and imposing
Fountains are magic in the courtyard
Most yard and garden designers agree that a water feature is a must for a courtyard garden. So consider adding one. But make sure it fits to the scale of your space.
Here’s my best tip, just for you: Fountains are like wind chimes. You gotta love the sound it makes before buying it. If at all possible, listen to the fountain before you buy it. You don’t want a fountain that’s too loud for quiet conversation. You also don’t want one that has an annoying little gurgle either. A fountain belongs to your ear alone, so get one that sounds soothing and pleasant to you.
Whether its a fountain, statue or other art object, experts at Gardener’s World, say it’s better to have one large feature than several small ones. One unique, eye-catching focal point is plenty so as not to overwhelm the space.
Ideas to dream about
Although the following images are from much larger and grandiose courtyards of the world, I’m including them here for inspiration. Not only are they lovely places, but hope they’ll help you think about elements of style and decor for your space… on a smaller scale of course!
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Wrapping it up
I hope you enjoyed this article. If your collecting ideas to create you own little courtyard, or improve and existing one, let me know how it turned out! I post pictures on our Braggin’ Board.
I do know it’s possible because a friend of mine made an adorable little 16 x 12 garden space at her condo. But because it was so small, it was also very inexpensive and she was able to do all the work herself. As the years passed, she was grateful for that little space because it was easy to keep up. She was so proud of her accomplishment and was just glowing. As she handed me a cup of hot tea she turned to me and said:
“So, would you like to join me in the courtyard?”
More great ideas for the yard & garden
5 Terrific Ideas for a Garden Privacy Screen
Simple Outdoor Seating That’s Big on Hospitality
Inexpensive Ways to Beautify Fences in the Landscape
