Maximising small outdoor spaces: Creative Ideas for Urban Living

In New Zealand, the urban lifestyle is rapidly evolving. With growing populations in city centres and high-density living on the rise, many Kiwis are embracing apartment living, townhouses, and compact sections. While these spaces may be smaller, they offer big opportunities for creativity. Gone are the days when you needed a sprawling backyard to enjoy the benefits of the outdoors.

This blog will explore clever, sustainable, and visually appealing ideas to transform modest outdoor areas into functional and inspiring extensions of your home. Whether you’re looking to entertain friends, grow herbs, unwind with a cuppa, or boost privacy, we’ve got you covered. With a little imagination, and the right landscaping solutions from Strol, you can truly maximise your space while enhancing tomorrow.

Privacy Screens for Small Spaces

When floor space is limited, it pays to think vertically. Wall space, fences, and railings offer the perfect canvas for plants, artwork, and structural elements that bring life and character to your space. Vertical gardens are a popular option for urban dwellers looking to add greenery without losing valuable square metres. Mix and match climbing plants, wall-mounted pots, and cascading foliage to soften hard surfaces and make a space feel more alive.

Privacy is often at a premium in tight-knit urban environments. That’s where decorative screens like SmartScreen and SereneScreen shine. Not only do they provide much-needed seclusion from neighbours, but they also introduce pattern, texture, and style to your space. Mounted to walls, fences, or used as free-standing panels with the SmartScreen Post and Rail System, these screens can turn a plain corner into a private haven or outdoor art gallery.

Tip: Opt for low-maintenance native plants like kawakawa, ferns, or rengarenga to keep your vertical garden lush and manageable.

• Use SmartScreen or SereneScreen to define zones, block out eyesores, or add a decorative element without taking up floor space
• Combine with vertical planters or hanging pots to create lush living walls
• Pair with the SmartScreen Post and Rail System for easy, modular installation
• Ideal for balconies or along fences in narrow courtyards
• Can be used as decorative art pieces on the wall

Multi-Purpose Retaining and Seating Solutions 

In small spaces, every element should work hard. Built-in features that serve more than one purpose are essential. Retaining walls, for instance, can do more than hold soil. With SureWall, you can build low walls that also function as garden edging, planters, or stylish seating. These types of installations are particularly useful on sloped sites where space is fragmented or uneven.

Creating zones with built-in features also helps make a space feel intentional and complete. Picture a quiet reading nook framed by a raised bed, or a tiered garden area with bench seating built into the structure. The beauty of SureWall lies in its simplicity and strength, making it easy to install and versatile enough to suit a wide range of styles.

• Use SureWall to create retaining walls that double as bench seating or planter boxes
• Ideal for tiered garden beds in sloped small yards
• Adds structure while maximising usability in tight areas
• Great for entertaining or quiet morning coffee moments

Compact Raised Beds for Urban Gardens

Urban living does not mean giving up on gardening. In fact, growing your own herbs, veggies, or flowers can be one of the most rewarding aspects of city life. Raised beds offer a smart, space-efficient solution, especially when you can’t dig into the ground. GardenStax answers this need, offering a modular, raised-bed system perfect for balconies, patios, rooftops or tiny gardens.

Because they are stackable, GardenStax units can be customised to suit any layout or height requirement. They’re also ideal for renters, as they’re not permanent and can be reconfigured or easily moved. Fill them with good-quality potting mix, and you’ll be harvesting chillies or strawberries in no time. These compact garden beds are a great way to green your space while adding a visual focal point.

Bonus Idea: Create a mini kitchen garden just outside your door with basil, thyme, and chillies in easy reach of your frying pan.

• GardenStax modular raised beds are perfect for patios, balconies, and rooftops
• Stackable and easy to install, they help you grow vegetables, herbs, or flowers without digging into the ground
• Keeps things tidy, accessible, and stylish

Permeable Paving for Small Landscapes

Hard surfaces like traditional concrete and brick can trap heat, create runoff, and generally make small outdoor spaces feel hotter and harsher than they need to be. Replacing or upgrading these surfaces with permeable paving is a practical way to bring cool, breathable design to your garden. This type of paving allows water to drain naturally, supporting healthy soil and reducing the heat island effect often felt in city environments.

Permeable paving solutions are easy to install and come in a variety of modern, stylish options that suit both contemporary and classic spaces. As the panels lock pebbles in place, you’ll have no concerns about pebbles spreading. You could just create a small, pebbled garden to one side of your outdoor area to soften the space, used in conjunction with succulents and other easy to maintain plants.

SurePave and PebbleLock are also ideal for creating firm, weather resistant parking bays for houses that don’t have a garage.

• Swap old slabs or pavers with Strol’s permeable paving solutions
• Allows water to drain naturally, reducing runoff and urban heat build-up
• Great for small courtyards, paths, or parking areas
• Helps create cooler, more liveable microclimates in dense neighbourhoods

Design Tips for Small Outdoor Spaces

Even the tiniest outdoor space can reflect your personality and lifestyle. These creative ideas show how to make the most of every square metre:

1. Outdoor “Rooms” – Define Purpose Through Zones

Creating a sense of flow in small outdoor spaces can be as simple as assigning each area a purpose. Decorative screens or large planters can be used to visually separate a lounging corner from a dining area or a gardening nook. On a balcony, a narrow bench paired with a fold-out table can form a cosy café-style spot to enjoy your morning coffee. In compact courtyards, even a small section can become a dedicated space for yoga, reading, or simply unwinding around a fire pit. A great way to define these areas could be by using Strol SmartScreen for privacy walls, or pebbled areas with different coloured stones using permeable pavers such as SmartPave or PebbleLock.

2. Foldable or Stackable Furniture

In tight spaces, furniture needs to be flexible and efficient. Choosing items that fold away or stack neatly when not in use ensures you can adapt your space to suit different needs without clutter. This is especially useful on rooftops or patios where every inch counts. Benches with hidden storage are another smart solution, offering a place to sit as well as a tidy spot to keep outdoor essentials. SureWall offers flexible design options for creating multiple outdoor seating, retaining and bench storage ideas.

3. Outdoor Work-from-Home Station

Working from home doesn’t have to mean being stuck inside all day. By adding a small weatherproof desk or a wall-mounted fold-out table, you can create a productive outdoor workstation. Decorative privacy panels like SmartScreen make excellent backdrops for video calls, helping you maintain a professional appearance while enjoying fresh air and a change of scenery.

4. Pocket Wildlife Habitats

Welcoming a little wildlife into your space not only supports local ecosystems but also adds a peaceful, natural touch. Even a balcony or small garden can host insect hotels, bee-friendly flowers, or a shallow birdbath. Pair these features with GardenStax raised beds to grow native plants or herbs, and you’ll soon have a thriving mini-habitat right outside your door.

5. Hanging Gardens and Overhead Greenery

When you run out of room at ground level, look up. The vertical plane above head height is a great place to add lush greenery without using up precious floor space. Cascading plants like pothos or jasmine can bring softness to walls and railings, while hanging baskets, floating shelves, or overhead trellises introduce visual interest and natural shade.

6. Mini Water Features for Ambience

There’s something deeply soothing about the sound of running water. A compact fountain or container water garden can transform even the busiest urban space into a calm retreat. These features are easy to install and maintain, and they help to mask traffic or city noise while creating a relaxing atmosphere that feels miles from the hustle. Add in a contemplative rock bed using PebbleLock pavers or SureSoak Drainage Cells to keep the garden contained and you have your own zen garden with very little fuss.

7. Outdoor Bar or Beverage Cart

If entertaining is your thing, why not incorporate a small drinks station into your outdoor layout? A slim shelving unit or rolling cart can serve as a stylish beverage area, perfect for afternoon refreshments or evening cocktails. For added comfort, pair it with built-in SureWall seating to create a laid-back and welcoming space to host friends and family.

8. Artistic Touches – Sculptures, Wall Art, and Screens

Art and creativity can elevate an outdoor space from functional to inspiring. Use decorative screens like SmartScreen or Serene Screen as backdrops for lighting or artistic installations, or get creative with weather-resistant wall art or painted murals. These small additions reflect your personality and ensure your outdoor area feels just as curated and intentional as your indoor space.

Even in the most compact spaces, thoughtful design and innovative materials can bring your outdoor dreams to life. From balconies to rooftops and pocket gardens, sustainable landscaping products from Strol are designed to make every square metre count. Explore our range and start enhancing tomorrow: right outside your door.