Urban Garden Ideas

These urban garden ideas make gardening possible even without any ground soil. There’s potential for creating an entertainment or relaxing hub, too, no matter how big or small the space is. Our outdoor living experts have curated this list of ideas as the best ways to make a city garden somewhere you’ll really want to spend your free time.

Got a Wall? Go Upwards

Take advantage of your walls if floor space is tight. Hang hooks, brackets, or wall-mounted planters on fences, brickwork, or balcony railings. And voila—you have a room for planters, hanging pots, or a narrow herb shelf. A trellis also works for growing climbers like tomatoes, beans, or sweet peas.

Other plant options good for vertical planting are:

• Clematis
• Star Jasmine
• Climbing Hydrangea
• Black-eyed Susan
• Honeysuckle
• Begonias
• Petunias
• Violas and Pansies
• Geraniums
• Bellflower

And because it’s all off the ground, you still have space for a garden chair to relax or a table to hold your brew.

You will need to make sure your plants will receive adequate sunlight, so check which parts of your garden get the most exposure throughout the day.

Don’t Waste Space on Bulky Furniture

Large pieces can take up more room than they’re worth, especially if you’re not using them often. A better move is choosing space-saving and multi-functional garden furniture. They’re easy to shift, tuck away, or use in more than one way.

But the good news is that whatever garden furniture you choose, most of them are styled to look fantastic in a neatly styled urban garden.

We recommend foldable chairs and tables, especially if you have limited space. You can bring them out when needed and pack them away. Stackable stools also double up as seating or a side table. Or a storage bench for extra seating and somewhere to stash cushions or gardening tools.

Got more room? Instead of one big set, create separate zones for relaxing, eating, or pottering. A garden dining table in a cube-style, where chairs tuck in when not in use, is brilliant. It gives you a neat, compact set while freeing up your patio or deck.

Our BillyOh Monaco 8 Seater Rattan Corner Sofa has a modern outdoor living vibe to it. It slots into a corner, and you still get plenty of room to stretch out or have people around. Leave a space for a fire pit or just an open lawn.

Ah, how could we forget about the shade? That might be a parasol, a pergola, or tall plants that throw some shelter your way. Makes it easier to enjoy a cuppa, eat outdoors, or have a quiet potter without roasting in the midday sun.

Set Up Raised Beds

No soil, no problem. With raised beds, you’re not relying on the ground, so it doesn’t matter if you have concrete, gravel, or decking. Go for something low and wide, or stack them up to get more height if you’re short on room.

Set one up where it fits, fill it with compost, and you’re ready to start planting. Grow flowers, vegetables, or small shrubs in them, and they’re easy to move or rework as your space changes. Then there’s the BillyOh Iris Fir Planter for a bigger plant display. Its spacious 72” design should do it.

In a small garden or balcony, push them against a sunny wall or into a corner. In a more open space, group them to create a growing zone, or space them out, just as you would with furniture.

Tip: If you’re going the DIY route, timber looks right at home in most setups. Pallets are quite cheap, too. Treat them so they last longer, and you get a year-round bloom around your urban garden.

Block Out Nosy Neighbours

Living in a town or city usually means sharing space with others. That could be windows overlooking your garden or noise from passing traffic. Fortunately, plants can do a lot of heavy lifting here.

Tall grasses, climbers, and bamboos grow fast and work as natural screens. They don’t just block lines of sight, but also soften sound and help cut down on the urban feel. Try pleached trees, hornbeam, or photinia to create more height.

Read our guide to ‘How to Block Noise in the Garden’ for more methods.

Invest in a Garden Room

Even in urban gardens, a garden building can be a smart use of space. A log cabin, for one, lets you extend your outdoor living space while staying sheltered, rain or shine. Or go for a summer house if you want more natural light, thanks to the larger windows. Either way, both can be used year-round for hobbies, workouts, or an extra hangout spot.

You can’t go wrong with a garden office if you’re working remotely and don’t have room indoors, or want to reduce home distractions. It gives you a quiet setup and a proper divide between work and home.

Playhouses are also worth considering if you’ve got little ones. They’re a great way to keep the mess cleared away and give kids their own space to play or stash toys.

Check out our range of garden rooms. Our units come in various sizes, so there’s bound to be one that fits your space.

Urban Garden Ideas: Round-up

These prove that there’s always room to add a bit of greenery, a cosy seat, or a space to unwind. They are a great starting point in building your dream city escape, just a few steps from home. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make the space your own!