How do I make a small garden look bigger?

Use light-coloured paving, lay it on the diagonal, grow plants up walls and fences, and keep the middle of the space open instead of filling it with pots.

What grows well in a shady terrace garden?

Hostas, ferns and hydrangeas cope well with shade, and evergreen shrubs keep the garden looking full in winter. Always check the plant label for its light needs.

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Small garden ideas for a UK terrace

By the GlowUpp team · 27 October 2026

A bare terrace back garden next to an AI redesign with lawn, path and planting

BeforeAfter‹›

An AI-generated example. Real results depend on your own space.

Terraced back gardens are often narrow, overlooked and a little shady. With a clear plan they can still give you somewhere to sit, something green to look at and a place for the bins and bikes.

Plan in zones

Decide what the garden needs to do before you buy anything: a place to sit, some planting, and somewhere to store the things that otherwise end up in the way. Even in a small space, separating these jobs makes it feel more designed and less crowded.

Go up, not just across

Fix trellis to a wall or fence and grow climbers up it.
Use wall-mounted planters or shelves for herbs and flowers.
Plant a narrow bed along the fence line so the middle stays open.

Choose surfaces to suit the space

Paving or decking in a light colour makes a small garden feel bigger, and laying paving or boards on the diagonal can make the space seem wider. If you want a lawn, keep it a simple shape rather than a tiny patch broken up by pots.

Plant for the light you have

Terrace gardens are often shaded by neighbouring walls. Work with that by choosing plants that cope with shade, such as hostas, ferns and hydrangeas, and add evergreen shrubs so the garden does not look empty in winter. Check the plant label for how much sun it needs before you buy.

Make it private

A slatted fence panel, a screen of climbers or a few tall planters can make a small garden feel more private without making it feel boxed in. Soft evening lighting, such as solar or low-voltage lights, makes it usable after dark.

Be careful with the front garden

If you plan to pave over a front garden, check the rules first. In England, covering a larger area with hard surfacing that does not let water drain away usually needs planning permission, unless the water drains to a lawn or border. Ask your local council or your landscaper.

Mistakes to avoid

Filling every corner with pots until there is nowhere to sit.
Choosing sun-loving plants for a shaded wall.
Forgetting storage, so tools and bins stay in view.
Buying large furniture before measuring the space.

See your garden finished first

Upload a photo of your garden to GlowUpp and see AI-generated versions with different layouts, paving and planting, then share the one you like with a local landscaper to get a quote. Always ask a qualified professional before moving gas, electrics or plumbing, or changing anything structural, and check your lease or local rules if you rent or live in a conservation area.

See your own garden redesigned

Upload a photo and see AI-generated ideas in about two minutes. Free for homeowners, no sign-up needed to start.

Try it with your photo

Common questions

How do I make a small garden look bigger?: Use light-coloured paving, lay it on the diagonal, grow plants up walls and fences, and keep the middle of the space open instead of filling it with pots.
What grows well in a shady terrace garden?: Hostas, ferns and hydrangeas cope well with shade, and evergreen shrubs keep the garden looking full in winter. Always check the plant label for its light needs.
Do I need planning permission to pave my front garden?: In England, hard surfacing a larger area of front garden with a material that does not let water drain away usually needs planning permission unless the water drains to a lawn or border. Check with your local council.