Not all gardens are created equal and, naturally, some are significantly bigger than others. If you’re dealing with a smaller plot, you may be preoccupied with how best to go about making it seem larger than it is – and, to this end, introducing curved shapes throughout can make a very real difference.
What’s interesting to remember is that there aren’t really any straight lines in nature. Everything meanders in a far less structured way. Using curves is the best way to mimic the natural order of things while still creating a practical and useful outdoor space, while maximising the amount of room you have.
Introducing hard landscaping like curved lawns, borders and paths creates an optical illusion, opening up the space and making the eye travel further so the garden feels far bigger than it actually is.
These curves also serve to conceal different parts of the garden, revealing them gradually as you make your way through it, adding to this feel of space. Not being able to see the entire garden all at once will keep you guessing as to its actual size, a great trick to remember if you have a particularly tiny outdoor area.
And you’ll have the added benefit of a greater feeling of privacy if you use curves around the patio area or al fresco dining spot. Design this part of the garden so that the curves wrap around the space so that you feel less exposed and more enclosed.
This kind of style concept works really well with naturalistic planting so bear this in mind if you are wondering about what flowers, shrubs and trees to bring in. This is a really low maintenance approach to gardening, featuring native plants that ultimately look after themselves while still remaining beautiful to look at.