This design technique spotted at Chelsea Flower Show is a must for small backyards

RHS’ Chelsea Flower Show 2022 has offered us a host of design techniques and trends that will shape gardens far beyond the British capital. The event is a melting pot of backyard ideas for spaces of all sizes – whether you’re working with a balcony garden or have a spacious plot beyond your home. However, the latest technique to emerge from this year’s event is made with small spaces in mind. 

The lesson comes from designers Darryl Moore (opens in new tab) and Adolfo Harrison (opens in new tab), who created St Mungo (opens in new tab)’s Putting Down Roots Garden (pictured above and below) in collaboration with the charity. 

While the garden itself was certainly not one of the smallest at the Chelsea Flower Show, it did showcase a clever diagonal line design technique that is perfect for making a small garden look bigger. And the best part? Diagonal lines are also at the peak of current garden trends – so you can emphasize your exteriors in style. 

Using diagonal lines to accentuate small gardens  

What does this small garden idea involve? According to the designer, it is all about how you use diagonal lines. 

‘I really like diagonal shapes. They are dynamic, and they create a sense of movement through a space,’ Darryl shared with H&G. He used the pattern on both the fencing and floor to create a pathway and a sense of a journey through your garden. ‘We play with circles that are a bit more static – they are an anchor point. So, you have two different designs,’ Darryl says. 

While diagonal lines can create the sense of a journey in a space, they also lead your eye upwards – opening the garden beyond the fencing into the space above. Garden design expert Phil Deakin from NeoTimber (opens in new tab) similarly emphasizes that you can cleverly use lines on your fencing to ‘take your eye upwards’ and consequently make the garden feel larger.

Why are diagonal shapes trending? 

Alongside their ability to ‘extend’ a small garden, diagonal stripes feed into one of the biggest trends of the moment, according to Pinterest. The platform saw a 42% increase in interest in bold stripes, such as diagonals for 2022. Bringing this motif into your garden also allows you to celebrate maximalism in your garden landscaping ideas – no matter the size of the space. 

‘Maximalism is in, so stripes can be pretty out there - don’t be afraid of breaking the rules, in some ways, that’s the point,’ adds Karen Yu, the Marketing & Product Strategy Manager at Zinus (opens in new tab). 

If you’re looking for a fashionable way to enhance your garden, Chelsea may have offered you the solution you desire.