15 Clever Side Garden Ideas To Maximise Space
Side gardens are often overlooked, even though they have incredible potential for maximising your space and creating a beautiful outdoor area that you can enjoy. Whether you have a narrow passageway or a spacious garden that curves around your home, there are plenty of side garden ideas that you’ll love. From lush greenery to gorgeous garden furniture and beautiful flowers, the possibilities for your side garden are endless. Whether you want to create an airy, modern space or a more traditional, cosy garden filled with colour, we have plenty of side-of-house garden ideas for you to enjoy.
What is a side garden?
A side garden is a narrow outdoor space that runs down the side of a house, usually from the front of the property to the back. It’s more common in older properties, so whether you’re looking for Victorian terrace side return garden ideas or something for a cottage side garden, there’s lots of inspiration out there. While a side garden might be less prominent than a front or back garden, they can still make an impact on your home and lifestyle. By getting creative with landscaping and planning, you can transform the space into something that works for you.
Whether your side garden ideas include storage, pathways, planting or vegetable patches, with thoughtful design and the right décor, a side garden can turn into your perfect relaxing, aesthetic outdoor space. Square footage doesn’t have to matter either, there are plenty of small garden ideas that work incredibly well in a side garden.
Pros and cons of side gardens
We’ve already mentioned that side gardens can transform your home. However, like any garden space, they come with their own set of advantages and challenges. If you’re not sure where to start with your side garden, let’s take a look at the pros and cons first.
Pros of a side garden
One of the biggest advantages of side gardens is their ability to make use of often-overlooked areas of your property. Narrow-side return garden ideas can transform your space into beautiful recluses, paths and storage areas, helping to maximise your outdoor enjoyment and enhance the overall appeal of your home.
Side gardens can offer a sense of seclusion and privacy, especially if bordered by tall fences, hedges, a pergola or a trellis. This makes them ideal for creating cosy and private outdoor spaces for relaxation or entertaining. Plus, spending time outdoors is great for your health. A well-designed side garden can significantly improve the appeal of your property. Research shows 50% of homeowners consider a well-designed garden to be as important or more important than a well-designed kitchen or bathroom.
Cons of a side garden
One of the main challenges of side gardens is they’re more limited in space. They’re often more narrow and confined than a back or front garden. This can restrict you a little on the plants and garden accessories you choose, but with the right planning and side garden ideas, it doesn’t have to stop you from creating a beautiful garden. Side gardens can sometimes be less accessible than larger gardens, making maintenance tasks like weeding, pruning, and watering more challenging. You also need to think about the layout and plan whether things like outdoor sofas and outdoor dining tables will fit in the space.
Depending on the positioning of your home and surrounding structures, your side garden may get a little less sunlight throughout the day. This can create microclimates that impact plant growth, requiring you to choose shade-tolerant plants or consider creative solutions to maximise sunlight exposure.
15 Side Garden Ideas
Transforming your side garden into a gorgeous, functional space is easier than you might think. Here are some inspiring side garden ideas to help you make the most of this sometimes-overlooked area of your home.
1. Add charm with rustic garden benches
Richmond Antique Wood Bench with Pop Up Table in Antique Grey - £215
Incorporating wooden garden benches into your side garden can create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Plus, they fit into a narrower space incredibly well.
Position the benches along the pathway or against a wall, providing a comfortable spot to sit and enjoy your garden. To add a touch of colour, consider accessorising with vibrant cushions or throws, making it a perfect nook for relaxation or reading.
2. Select plants to brighten your side garden space
Plug & Shine Outdoor 2W LED Small Classic Single Lantern in Anthracite
Brightening your side garden with a variety of colourful plants and flowers can completely change its look and feel. Go for cheerful blooms like daisies, geraniums or lavender, as these thrive in the available sunlight. Mixing plants of different heights and textures can add depth and visual interest too.
Evergreen plants are another great choice for year-round greenery, and they usually do pretty well in shady spots. A side garden doesn’t have to be plain or boring, you can make it a space you really enjoy.
3. If you have the space, consider a compact outdoor sofa set
Bay Large Corner Group Set with Aluminium Frame in Latte - £2,999
If your side garden has enough space, a compact garden sofa set can make it an inviting area for relaxation and socialising. You might even be able to choose a corner sofa if you have some wall space to put it on as this can give plenty of seating in a limited space.
Adding a side or coffee table can help you to make it a more functional space too, adding an important spot for drinks, snacks and touches like candles, vases and ornaments.
4. Illuminate the space with lanterns or a small firepit
Höfats SPIN 120 Hanging Fire in Silver - £169.99
Lighting can dramatically change the atmosphere of your side garden, making it a lovely place to spend evenings. Incorporate decorative garden lanterns along the path or hang them from hooks for a gorgeous glow.
A small fire pit can also serve as a focal point, providing warmth and a gathering spot for friends and family. You can find a style that works with your outdoor space, whether you’re going for a modern garden or something rustic. Our outdoor lighting ideas guide has even more inspiration for lighting up your outdoor space all year round.
5. Grow a green wall to enhance a narrow side return garden
Puccini 6 Seat Oval Dining Set in Latte - £5,209
When it comes to narrow-side return garden ideas, vertical gardening, like green walls, can maximise space and add some excitement. These living walls can be created using a variety of plants, from herbs to flowering vines, bringing greenery into the tightest of spaces
Green walls not only save space but also improve air quality and provide a beautiful backdrop for your outdoor seating, like hanging garden chairs, for example. Consider using modular planting systems or wall-mounted planters to create a stunning vertical garden in your space.
6. Brighten the space with practical outdoor wall lights
Myosotis Metal Chimney Wall Light in Brushed Steel - £45.00
Outdoor lights are an excellent addition to side gardens, providing both illumination and style. Install wall-mounted fixtures that complement your garden design, ensuring the area is well-lit for safety and visibility.
Choose fixtures with adjustable brightness or motion sensors so you can enjoy your space in all lighting and set the mood. Well-placed lights can highlight pathways, plants, and seating areas, making your side garden an inviting space at all hours.
7. Add light and personality with garden pendant lamps or LEDs
Adding pendant lamps or LED string lights can add a pretty touch to your side garden. Pendant lamps can be hung from trees or pergolas to create a whimsical atmosphere, while LED string lights can be draped along fences or railings.
Both options provide soft lighting that enhances the beauty of your garden and allows you to enjoy it well into the evening.
8. Grow a gorgeous floral archway 
A floral archway can be a stunning focal point in your side garden, and you don’t need a wide space to be able to do it. Choose climbing plants like roses, wisteria or clematis to cover the arch and provide a burst of colour and fragrance.
This vertical feature can serve as a beautiful passageway that leads to other areas, enhancing the overall design while adding some charm and colour. Whether you go for a wooden or metal arch, it’ll look great all year round.
9. Add benches to your garden as practical seating
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Adding garden benches not only provides practical seating but also enhances the overall aesthetic of your side garden. Go for benches that complement the style of your home and garden, whether it’s a classic wooden bench or a sleek metal design.
Place them strategically to max out on space and give some much-needed seating to relax on. They’re comfortable and work well in narrow spaces, and you can make them really cosy just by adding the right accessories.
10. Use intricate paving for welcoming side passage garden ideas 
The pathway in your side garden can set the tone for the entire space, so try using paving as a welcoming side passage garden idea. Choose materials like patterned tiles, natural stone or decorative bricks that complement your garden’s style.
An interesting paving pattern can lead visitors through the garden, guiding them to different areas while adding something to look at. Incorporate borders with plants or low hedges to enhance the design.
11. Consider Victorian terrace side return garden ideas like climbing vines and plants
Victorian terrace gardens often have pretty features that can inspire your side garden design. Embrace the traditional aesthetic by incorporating climbing vines, such as honeysuckle or jasmine, which can add vertical interest and lush greenery.
Combining these with classic plant choices like ferns or boxwoods is one of our favourite Victorian terrace side return garden ideas. It can add real harmony and balance to your garden.
12. For larger side gardens, get creative with a bistro lounge set
Cape Lounge Set in Beige - £1,299
If you have a larger side garden, consider getting creative with a bistro lounge set to maximise the space's potential. A bistro set can provide an intimate dining area for alfresco meals or a stylish place to sip tea and enjoy the surroundings.
Choose designs that work with your garden style. Add some comfortable cushions and small side tables, making your side garden a delightful spot for relaxation and entertaining.
13. Add layers with raised-bed gardening 
Raised-bed gardening is an excellent way to add layers and dimension to your side garden, creating an appealing visual landscape. By building raised beds using wood, stone or brick, you can create distinct planting areas that make it easier to manage your garden.
This approach looks great and also allows for better drainage and soil quality. Consider planting a mix of flowers, herbs and vegetables to create a diverse side garden that works for everyone.
14. Indulge your gardening passion with a lean-to greenhouse 
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If you’re passionate about gardening, consider adding a lean-to greenhouse to your side garden. This structure can provide a dedicated space for growing plants, extending your gardening season and protecting delicate plants from the elements.
A lean-to greenhouse can also serve as an attractive feature, showcasing your plants and giving you the ability to show off your green fingers. Position it to get enough sunlight, and you’ll create a productive garden space that really adds to your side garden ideas.
15. Explore creative uses of vertical space with trellises and climbing plants
Make the most of your side garden's vertical space by incorporating trellises and climbing plants. Trellises can be used to support a variety of climbing plants, like beans, peas, or flowering vines, creating a lush green backdrop.
This helps maximise limited space and looks great. Strategically place trellises along fences or walls to enhance privacy while introducing vertical layers that make your garden feel larger and more dynamic. This creative use of vertical gardening can transform your side garden into a thriving green oasis.
Enjoying your side garden ideas
A side garden is an opportunity to transform an often-overlooked space into a beautiful and functional outdoor area that you’ll love. Whether you're working with a narrow passageway or a more expansive side yard, there are countless side garden ideas to make the most of this space.
Side-of-house garden ideas are endless, from cosy seating areas and vibrant greenery to creative lighting and vertical gardens. By thoughtfully designing and decorating your side garden, you can create a beautiful extension of your home that enhances your property's curb appeal but also provides a little sanctuary for relaxation and enjoyment.
Shop our luxury garden furniture sets to find your side garden favourites this season.
