Going Green: How to Decorate Your Bare Courtyard From Scratch
From blank space to green oasis, these clever ideas will transform your small, bare courtyard into a true outdoor room
Louise O'Bryan
8 November 2017
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content producer for digital and print media. Specialising in house tours, room renovations and decorating solutions, my previous clients include Inside Out (Aus), Ideal Home, The Times weekend supplement and Sainsbury's magazine. I never tire from the thrill of discovering a jaw-dropping, inspirational home to feature and having an insight into other people's spaces. Call me curious or just nosey!
Houzz Contributor with over 15 years as an interiors writer, stylist and content... More
Your outdoor space may not be any bigger than a postage stamp, but that’s no reason to let it go to waste. Embrace the fact that you can step out into the fresh air and make the most of every centimetre. Transform your yard with these clever solutions to inject instant personality while increasing the sense of space, thus turning your no-go outdoor area into the go-to space of your home.
Start with a stunning dramatic backdrop
You may have the basics in place, such as smart paving tiles or raised flower beds ready for planting, but your courtyard can still lack focus and interest. To create an impact that will capture the imagination, head to a reclamation yard and pick up eclectic one-offs, such as rustic antique doors, shutters or ornate iron gates.
You may have the basics in place, such as smart paving tiles or raised flower beds ready for planting, but your courtyard can still lack focus and interest. To create an impact that will capture the imagination, head to a reclamation yard and pick up eclectic one-offs, such as rustic antique doors, shutters or ornate iron gates.
Then position them at the back of your yard to create a quirky backdrop, which you can then build upon with more decorative layers – think outdoor lights, shapely pots and sculptural or lush plants. Your courtyard will be transformed into a dreamy island resort and will distract from any spatial issues.
Introduce exotic touches
Even the smallest of spaces can be injected with tranquil and exotic touches thanks to stunning staghorn ferns (Platycerium). With incredible antler-like fronds, these unique ferns are mounted on a board or in a hanging basket, which can then be fitted to walls, resulting in wonderful shadows and natural shade thanks to their huge leaves.
Even the smallest of spaces can be injected with tranquil and exotic touches thanks to stunning staghorn ferns (Platycerium). With incredible antler-like fronds, these unique ferns are mounted on a board or in a hanging basket, which can then be fitted to walls, resulting in wonderful shadows and natural shade thanks to their huge leaves.
Create a stunning vertical green wall
Let’s face it, courtyards are spatially challenged, so it makes complete sense to plant upwards. Vertical green walls create a truly show-stopping feature, bringing rich colour and mesmerising textures to an otherwise bare surface, while helping to expand the sense of space in the compact area.
Let’s face it, courtyards are spatially challenged, so it makes complete sense to plant upwards. Vertical green walls create a truly show-stopping feature, bringing rich colour and mesmerising textures to an otherwise bare surface, while helping to expand the sense of space in the compact area.
Tip: As in small interiors, pale surfaces such as stone tiles and walls will make a tiny space feel bigger and brighter.
And you can use as little of your wall as you like, or go all-out and create a complete garden wall.
Setting Up a Vertical Garden
Setting Up a Vertical Garden
Expand the space with mirrors
Don’t save this secret space-extender for inside; take it out into the garden too. Mirrors create an illusion of the space continuing beyond the boundaries of the courtyard, so whether you hang them horizontally or vertically, ensure they are fitted at eye-level when you are seated. Water marks are going to be a standard problem when they’re left in the rain, however, regular cleaning will keep streaks at bay, as will buying mirrors manufactured for outdoor conditions.
Don’t save this secret space-extender for inside; take it out into the garden too. Mirrors create an illusion of the space continuing beyond the boundaries of the courtyard, so whether you hang them horizontally or vertically, ensure they are fitted at eye-level when you are seated. Water marks are going to be a standard problem when they’re left in the rain, however, regular cleaning will keep streaks at bay, as will buying mirrors manufactured for outdoor conditions.
You could even try using a shower screen spray to create a water-resistant layer on the glass.
Tip: Team a mirror with a few outdoor wall hangings and you’ll create a cosy, intimate feel.
Reflect Your Garden in a Magical Mirror
Tip: Team a mirror with a few outdoor wall hangings and you’ll create a cosy, intimate feel.
Reflect Your Garden in a Magical Mirror
Consider wall art
Creative images work wonders on bare expanses of courtyard walls. Consider commissioning a local artist; many are contactable through your local council. You can go whimsical…
Creative images work wonders on bare expanses of courtyard walls. Consider commissioning a local artist; many are contactable through your local council. You can go whimsical…
… or modern…
… or use a scenic image to reflect the period or style of your home.
Embrace the cosy fit
A small courtyard garden can be a blessing in disguise, not only because you don’t have a lawn to mow, but its tiny proportions will naturally make the space feel private, enclosed and protected. Go one step further and turn it into a super cosy and nurturing space with tall, over-reaching plants. Big leaves will create a cocooning canopy and hug any seating area.
A small courtyard garden can be a blessing in disguise, not only because you don’t have a lawn to mow, but its tiny proportions will naturally make the space feel private, enclosed and protected. Go one step further and turn it into a super cosy and nurturing space with tall, over-reaching plants. Big leaves will create a cocooning canopy and hug any seating area.
And if you stick to large tropical plant varieties, your yard will take on a wonderfully exotic appeal, particularly if you add a calming water feature.
Make it an entertainment hub
If you only have space for an outdoor dining table and not much else, embrace the opportunity to transform your space into the ultimate outdoor kitchen and entertaining hub. A built-in barbecue creates a smart, sophisticated vibe, while a bespoke bench teamed with a dining table will make the most of awkwardly sized yards. Or…
Browse more inspiring outdoor entertaining areas
If you only have space for an outdoor dining table and not much else, embrace the opportunity to transform your space into the ultimate outdoor kitchen and entertaining hub. A built-in barbecue creates a smart, sophisticated vibe, while a bespoke bench teamed with a dining table will make the most of awkwardly sized yards. Or…
Browse more inspiring outdoor entertaining areas
… make the space all about the dining set-up and choose a bold design that will make a contemporary statement in the centre of your courtyard.
Make it a relaxing sanctuary
If you have no space for dining furniture, or you’d rather give the courtyard a more personal, low-key look, consider hanging a hammock instead. You’ll create an instant holiday feel, which can easily be adapted if you ever need more space for entertaining.
Tell us
How have you made the most of your small courtyard? Tell us in the Comments. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it and save the photos.
More
See more compact courtyards on Houzz
If you have no space for dining furniture, or you’d rather give the courtyard a more personal, low-key look, consider hanging a hammock instead. You’ll create an instant holiday feel, which can easily be adapted if you ever need more space for entertaining.
Tell us
How have you made the most of your small courtyard? Tell us in the Comments. And if you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it and save the photos.
More
See more compact courtyards on Houzz
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whitebrian60.......I know exactly what you mean...! I have a small courtyard garden that I love pottering about in and keeping it looking nice and pretty, but a nearby neighbour planted quite a few bamboos in HER small garden that shed dead leaves all the time that then get blown into MY garden....! It's very frustrating for me.........!
Hardenbergia-agree with comment regarding going woody and just the top being lush.Have found ficus great,but we keep it pruned maybe 3 times yearly. Star jasmine in a pattern has proved to be good too.We have an unsightly inherited fence so have espaliered camellias on the south side.They took a long time to establish but are great 5 yrs on.
Please keep this type of article coming,these are common problems in small sites.Thank you.