Modern small garden ideas

Designer Sheila Jack’s sparing use of colour in her own city garden transforms a partially shaded space into a luminous oasis of calm, just when she needs it at the end of a busy day. Words Belinda Cooper, Photographs Britt Willoughby Dyer

Landscape architect George Cullis has transformed a dark, enclosed London courtyard into a green oasis, alive with birds, insects and the subtle rhythms of nature. Photographs Katharine Peachey

A south London garden has been transformed into an elegant retreat with precision-cut concrete and sublimely understated planting. Words Jodie Jones, photographs Lisa linder

In this city garden, designer Alasdair Cameron has made the most of wildly differing levels to create a dynamic yet tranquil modern space – a refuge from London’s busy street. Photographs Jason Ingram

Faced with the challenge of creating both privacy and spaces for seating and eating in a tiny city garden, Dutch designer Erik Funneman has used deep Corten steel planters to fill the space with green. Words Jonny Bruce, photographs Sietske de Vries

This bijou garden conjured from a typical London plot relies on the partnership between owners and designer for its continued success. Words Rae Spencer-Jones. Photographs Jason Ingram.

Designer James Aldridge has transformed a dilapidated south London garden using layers of planting and hard landscaping to soothing effect. Words Annie Gatti. Photographs Rachel Warne.

A playful design by Jack Wallington for a family garden in south London is all about concealment and discovery – and for making memories. Words Natasha Goodfellow. Photographs Claire Takacs

In Bristol Artisan Landscapes have created a calming tranquil space that invites the owners to immerse themselves in its cool, textural greens. Words Juliet Giles. Photography Jason Ingram.

Dutch designer Erik Funneman has used a living wall and green, year-round planting to enclose the tiny courtyard of an urban townhouse. Words Kate Jacobs, photographs Sietske de Vries

Designer Tom Massey has contrasted modernist hard landscaping with shaggy and shimmering grasses in this small suburban garden in Twickenham. Words Kate Jacobs, Photographs Alister Thorpe.

Landscape architect George Cullis has transformed a dark, enclosed London courtyard into a green oasis using a limited colour palette. Here's how he makes colour work in a small garden

In this once-overlooked suburban plot, designer Colm Joseph has created a modern gravel garden that offers a relaxing green retreat. Words Kate Jacobs Photographs Richard Bloom

In Andy Sturgeon’s small coastal garden hard landscaping is minimised to allow for multiple planting opportunities. Words Annie Gatti, photographs Jason Ingram.

For this garden in north London, designer Jenny Bloom drew inspiration from the unusually wild landscape on its fringes. Words Kate Jacobs. Photographs Richard Bloom.

Prolific design duo Harris Bugg have created an exquisite slice of urban meadow in a wildlife-friendly garden in north London. Words Kendra Wilson. Photography Jason Ingram.