How to Create Shade in a Small Garden
Check out these ideas – big and small – to plan a tiny garden that catches the sun, but also has a spot in the shade
Amanda Pollard
28 May 2019
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
In a compact garden, it can be tricky to work out how to provide places to enjoy both sun and shade, but there are ways to combine the two. Check out these gorgeous small spaces to see how to create a cool-off zone in your own tiny plot.
Fashion a frame
In this courtyard garden, the designers have created a framework of wires overhead. Climbing plants have been positioned at each corner to grow up the trellis and across the wires to create a shaded shelter above the table.
As an alternative to wire, you could create a similar construction with rows of timber battens running along each wall.
Discover more ways to make the most of a courtyard garden.
In this courtyard garden, the designers have created a framework of wires overhead. Climbing plants have been positioned at each corner to grow up the trellis and across the wires to create a shaded shelter above the table.
As an alternative to wire, you could create a similar construction with rows of timber battens running along each wall.
Discover more ways to make the most of a courtyard garden.
Layer up
Give your small garden a cool, shaded feel by densely filling it with large-leaved plants. Go for a few tall specimens to create overhead shade, and set them off with a carpet of mid-level and ground-cover foliage.
Here, the small patio is surrounded by greenery at all heights, which provides cooling shade as well as a calm, tranquil feel.
Give your small garden a cool, shaded feel by densely filling it with large-leaved plants. Go for a few tall specimens to create overhead shade, and set them off with a carpet of mid-level and ground-cover foliage.
Here, the small patio is surrounded by greenery at all heights, which provides cooling shade as well as a calm, tranquil feel.
Plant high
We often think we shouldn’t clutter up a tiny garden with large plants, but in fact a tree can work well in a small space. Large proportions can actually help to make the garden feel bigger.
With this in mind, it pays to plant a tree in your compact space to provide an area of shade. Here, for example, a large specimen at the side of the garden provides a wispy canopy above the lawn.
Check out 10 trees that work in a small garden.
We often think we shouldn’t clutter up a tiny garden with large plants, but in fact a tree can work well in a small space. Large proportions can actually help to make the garden feel bigger.
With this in mind, it pays to plant a tree in your compact space to provide an area of shade. Here, for example, a large specimen at the side of the garden provides a wispy canopy above the lawn.
Check out 10 trees that work in a small garden.
Construct a room
The patio of this house is entirely in shade, as the owners have made the area into an outdoor room. A timber construction is covered by a corrugated roof, which will provide a cool area away from strong rays on a sunny afternoon.
If you’re going to do something like this at home, it’s a good idea to make sure there’s enough floor space beyond the covered area, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
The patio of this house is entirely in shade, as the owners have made the area into an outdoor room. A timber construction is covered by a corrugated roof, which will provide a cool area away from strong rays on a sunny afternoon.
If you’re going to do something like this at home, it’s a good idea to make sure there’s enough floor space beyond the covered area, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Head to the edge
The easiest way to create a shady spot is to push seating right up against the wall or fence that gets the least sun. Tucking it into a leafy border is even better, as the plants will help to form a natural canopy.
This bench is ideal, as there’s enough room for two or three people. The overhanging branches of the shrub behind cast dappled light over the area, filtering harsh rays.
Find landscape architects and garden designers in your area.
The easiest way to create a shady spot is to push seating right up against the wall or fence that gets the least sun. Tucking it into a leafy border is even better, as the plants will help to form a natural canopy.
This bench is ideal, as there’s enough room for two or three people. The overhanging branches of the shrub behind cast dappled light over the area, filtering harsh rays.
Find landscape architects and garden designers in your area.
Build a pergola
A pergola is an elegant option for adding some shade to a garden, and works well even in a small space. A wooden structure like this one is lovely in itself, and even more beautiful with plants growing over it.
The thin timber slats on this pergola go well with the contemporary design in the rest of the space, and allow slivers of light to filter through to the area below.
A pergola is an elegant option for adding some shade to a garden, and works well even in a small space. A wooden structure like this one is lovely in itself, and even more beautiful with plants growing over it.
The thin timber slats on this pergola go well with the contemporary design in the rest of the space, and allow slivers of light to filter through to the area below.
Sail away
If you want some flexible shade in your tiny plot, a garden sail is the way to go. These pieces of canvas can be attached to any high hooks, branches or posts to shade you when the sun’s at its hottest.
When it gets cooler, you can simply take it down – or move it to another position in the garden.
Find out why a garden sail is summer’s most useful quick fix.
Tell us…
Will you be using any of these methods to bring shade into your small garden? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
If you want some flexible shade in your tiny plot, a garden sail is the way to go. These pieces of canvas can be attached to any high hooks, branches or posts to shade you when the sun’s at its hottest.
When it gets cooler, you can simply take it down – or move it to another position in the garden.
Find out why a garden sail is summer’s most useful quick fix.
Tell us…
Will you be using any of these methods to bring shade into your small garden? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Oh, and because our neighbor on our west side cut down all 14 of her mature trees, because she didn't think you could have flowers in shade, our west side is an overheated zone we had to replant entirely when all our shade loving flowers baked to death. We planted narrow sourwood trees to help cool that side of the house both outside and inside. Really amazing how our air-conditioning bills shot up because of our neighbor's destruction.
I hear your pain KL - the wanton destruction of mature trees everywhere is adding so much heat to built areas - along with loss of habitat for our critters that make a garden worth being in.
Also plants and trees take in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen, they are natural air fresheners!!