When you experiment with boundaries, use the right furniture and make the most of vertical space, you can make a small garden look much larger. The following optical illusions are easy to implement and well worth exploring if you'd like to enhance your garden space.

Expand Vertically

Size doesn't directly refer to surface area. Add cues that will draw the eye upwards, rather than across. Tall plants or trees that grow up and not out, such as the Eastern redbud, will not only add more height, but will free up precious ground space. In addition, if you have fencing surrounding your garden, you could always opt for hanging baskets rather than a flower patch.

Add Some Lighting

Place lights deep into the shrubbery. When it's dark, this will highlight the depth of your garden and make it look as though it extends further than it does. Feel free to experiment with directions. For example, shining a light up a tree trunk will emphasize the height. Again, while this doesn't enhance the horizontal surface space, it will enhance the vertical space. Use light sparingly -- adding too much will only highlight how small your garden really is!

Downscale Your Furniture

Just like bulky furniture can dominate the space indoors, it can overwhelm the space in your garden. While you don't need to relegate your choice to something excessively small, use furniture that doesn't hinder your field of vision. When you can see under and over the furniture -- chairs and tables with thin legs -- you'll have more visual space.

Create a Focal Feature

Adding an aesthetic feature, such as a pond or statue, may seem like a waste of space; however, if positioned wisely, it could steal the show and take attention away from the size of your garden. For example, a long, thin water feature will channel the eye to a specific point. Add a mirror into the equation and the reflection will make it look like you have double the space.

Use Shapes Wisely

While you can't adjust the shape of your garden, you can adapt the space within it. A circular garden pushes the boundary outwards and can be very effective if you can't see where the edges end. In addition, diagonal borders or less regular shapes can make an otherwise bland garden look much more interesting. Like adding a focal point, this also takes attention away from the size.

For help creating the optimal garden, consult a professional gardening service. A landscape designer will be able to look at the size, shape and characteristics and determine exactly what it needs.

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