There is a simple trick for making a small garden look bigger, creating an illusion of space with little effort.
Garden mirrors offer a simple way to create interest and light in the garden. They can create the illusion of more space and add focal points that lead you through the garden.
And, with so many types of garden mirror to choose from, you can match the design to your hard landscaping and planting to enhance your garden style.
Landscape gardening expert Mac Harbourne-Besaant explained: “Using mirrors in your garden can create the illusion of additional space. It can also reflect planting to make it look like there are more plants in our garden.”
He recommended placing the mirrors horizontally to maximise the effect by hanging or putting them behind a bench.
Birkdale, a fencing company, told the Daily Mirror: “This tip is extremely effective, simple to do and great if you’re on a budget. Adding mirrors to your outdoor space will instantly make it feel bigger, just like it does inside your home too.”
“Try adding a long row of mirrors on the wall or fence at the end of your garden. This will create the illusion that your garden is ‘doubled’ in length.” They added: “Alternatively, for a more English country garden look, pick an oversized antique mirror and allow climbers to grow around it. It’ll become part of the garden while making the space feel bigger.”
Gardeners World magazine warns there are some caveats to using mirrors in your garden though. They say: “Always place garden mirrors in the shade, so they don’t focus sunlight and start a fire.
“Also ensure they won’t be a danger to birds by avoiding hanging them too high and keeping them away from feeding stations and flight paths. In areas with bird activity, it’s best to cover mirrors, add stickers or avoid altogether so birds don’t display or fight with their reflections in the breeding season, which wastes precious energy resources.”
The magazine says” “Consider positioning mirrors on fences, walls, or even as part of a focal point to maximize the effect.
Mirrors placed along fences or walls, especially at the end of a path or garden area, can visually extend the space.
Mirrors positioned behind benches, seating areas, or other garden features to create a sense of depth and openness.
Place mirrors to reflect open areas, such as a lawn or a view beyond the garden, to make the space feel larger and more airy.
Vertical mirrors can draw the eye upwards, emphasizing the height of your garden and creating a more spacious feel.
Another tip offered by experts is to avoid reflecting your house as plants or natural features look best in the background.
Then there is the type of mirror to consider. Large Rectangular Mirrors can be particularly effective in small gardens, visually doubling the space.
Arched or Window-Style Mirrors (pictured) can add a touch of elegance and create a sense of a vista beyond while small round mirrors on a fence can reflect interesting features and create a unique visual element.
Bare in mind the materials your mirror is made from need to be able to withstand the elements so need to be weatherproof.
Gardener’s World magazine said that while thicker-framed mirrors suit traditional gardens a thinner frame works well in more contemporary outdoor spaces.