Megapolis are full of life and movement, but there is absolutely no place for big houses and even more for spacious private areas. However, the designers of cities such as San Francisco and New York often face customers who own a small house and want to turn a small space into a comfortable place to relax. Today we will analyze 16 useful design tips on how to make your small country house cozy and functional. 

1. Differentiate the kindergarten into different functional recreation areas

Do not be afraid to translate your dreams into reality. In this backyard in Brooklyn, modular furniture has created a very comfortable place for rest, feast and barbecue.

2. Use the backlight

In this version of the design of the cottage area, a multifaceted lighting was applied, which adds warmth and comfort, and also illuminates the summer kitchen.

3. Continue living space on the street

The architect Carson Arthur learns the opinion of the owners, according to which he makes up the setting of the palisade. "Perhaps you are not comfortable with a small kitchen or a compact living room? Why not arrange their piece on your veranda? "- offers customers Arthur their services. In this case, the designer expands the rest area, as here, on the miniature terrace in Detroit.

4. Inspire for your interior

Use the same colors and shades that are present in your living room. It is this technique that will help to expand your living quarters.

"Do more than buy a pair of wooden chairs and a table. They will not be so attractive for you, you need to make every effort to feel yourself on the veranda at home, "advises the landscape architect from New York, Amber Freda.

5. Play with the corners

Do you have a small square backyard? Then this task is for the creative landscape architect Rich Radford from San Francisco. His main idea of ​​transformation is as follows - using paving slabs to expand the area at an angle of 45 degrees relative to your house. It not only visually expands the space, but also practically wins for you a couple of precious meters.

6. Pay attention to the scale

If you own a compact internal front garden, you definitely do not want to squeeze into it a huge dining table for 10 people. A more profitable solution will be built-in sliding garden furniture. Also, it is not necessary to plant large trees there, which in time will simply close it with their lush crown. Rich Radford advises you to limit yourself to small shrubs or simple flower beds. With them you will save the space of movements and decorate your miniature land property.

7. Do not avoid the law of unity

If you want to divide your yard into several zones, use the same material for the whole area. "Small gardens just need a visual connection with the rest of the exterior," says Arthur, the author of this project. In it, he clearly delineated the "child" and "adult" space by paving with a single paving slab.

Radford goes even further. He proposes to continue the homestead area, using the same floor covering for finishing the entrance group. A great idea, which pushes the close framework of a closed small section.

8. Avoid the mess

The more items in your yard, the stronger the feeling of clutter and tightness. Look closely at compact, built-in or folding furniture, use clear lines, but most importantly - fight with disorder.

"There is another tricky circumstance that can prevent you from creating space in your front garden. And this, of course, is not well-groomed and overgrown plants, "Arthur shares his experience. "Instead of hammering it with small numerous flower pots, it is better to replace them with a few large ones or a couple of flower beds. Choose a pair of varieties of vegetation, this will avoid the feeling of excessive variegation and chaos, "advises Freda.

To create here, on a small site in Toronto, more space and coziness, architect Erik Calhoun installed original podiums over the massive roots of ancient trees and planted a common lawn in one single flower garden. In his opinion, this is what gives freedom of movement and a quiet joy of comfortable rest to the owners.

9. Отгородитесь

However paradoxical it may sound, reduce your front garden so that it becomes more cozy. "So your rest zone will become even more intimate, which will give a sense of being in a secluded quiet nest filled with peaceful tranquility," says Arthur.

Pavilions - that's what creates a unique warm and hospitable atmosphere. But since in this courtyard, designed by the architect Gary Beyerl, only 1 by 2 meters in size, it is impossible to install it, he planted all the magnificent flowers, creating the effect of the vine. "I have a wonderful fragrant hedge, in spite of the miniature square," Gary says, not without pleasure.

10. Expand your horizons

If your private plot fences off a heavy concrete fence, then, naturally, it will look morose and unsightly. In this case, Beyerl recommends to replace it with grids, and from what they will be executed, it's up to you. Whether plastic panels or elegant and unique in their grace hand forging, in any case, they will fill your yard with light, expanding the idea of ​​a modest courtyard.

11. Do not forget about the contrast

Brightness and polarity need not be expressed in colors and textures, as we are accustomed to introducing them into our interior. In the garden, you can give vent to fantasy, for example, as Freda advises, to place in it flower gardens with holly ferns and a lushly flowering primula.

You can also emphasize the contrast forms, for example, on a square section to place a round table or oval comfortable sofa.

12. Watch for cleanliness

The charm of small front gardens is not expressed in such a way, as in the fact that it is very easy to keep them clean. But to further simplify this task, Arthur suggests replacing open flower beds with neat flower beds. "Where there is a playground with the ground, even if planted with lush vegetation, it will always be dusty and dirty in the yard," Arthur shares his experience. Succulents and artificial lawns are not so demanding for care and watering. "They will not only refresh your patio, but will also divide the entire area into the functional zones you need," recommends Martha Angus, a designer from San Francisco. In her project, presented in the photo, she used an artificial box. This Martha as much as possible simplified the task of caring for a green "carpet", which should not be watered, weeded or cut.

13. Set up a sloping plot in the form of a chic terrace

At this site Angus worked perfectly. She effectively organized a patio that had a steep slope. With the help of a concrete podium, the rear part of the garden rose, increasing the entire area. However, as the designer says, such a foundation is very expensive in the device. But the result that we see is worth this money and effort.

14. Emphasize the individuality

"For small front gardens, the uniqueness that will outshine its miniature dimensions is very important. It is not necessary to buy stylish and expensive furniture and play with flowers, just fantasize and give your yard an exquisite zest, "- shares his secrets Arthur.

15. Create a focus

Like the previous council, this little trick will attract attention and visually push the boundaries of a small space. Arthur often uses such a trick in his works. In this yard he smashed a huge flowerbed in the very center.

"And it deceives us, giving out a tiny home garden for something more spacious," - says the designer. Fountains and sculptures are also perfect for this role. "A small landscape architectural form with well-organized backlighting can become a fundamental one," Angus agrees with his colleague.

16. Get help from a landscape designer

Believe expert opinion, to which all creators of home comfort and comfort converge, that organizing a large space is much easier than a small one. The professional in accordance with your preferences and features will plan so that you are satisfied with any result.

"Are you disturbed by rain, wind or excess sun in the backyard? Invite a landscape designer, and he will do everything in the best possible way, as you could not even imagine, "Calhoun advises. "The architect has created your house unique, and we will decorate it with a frame of wonderful plants that will underline and refresh your nest," says Beyerl.