Space is a precious commodity, so limited and expensive in towns and cities that it makes sense to enjoy every inch you have. Using outside space - be it a window ledge, roof, balcony, or basement courtyard - is an enjoyable, and possibly stylish, way of extending the boundaries of your home.
For many, the word "garden" conjures up imagesof lawns and herbaceous borders, soil and pruning shears, mulches and manures, and all the niceties of horticultural technique. When presented with a tiny space, we all too often cram in all the traditional elements of a big garden, reduced in scale.
In order to make the most of a small space, it is necessary to break free from preconceptions about the nature of a garden: where it should be and the things it should, or should not, contain. Gardens, first and foremost, are for people, not plants.

All sorts of design elements and techniques can be combined to produce a stimulating effect; planting is just one of these. Your garden may contain sculpture, some water, and a minimum of planting - lit at night, the effect can be quite magical. Conversely, there can be an enormous attraction in creating a dense jungle in a tiny urban space, which not only softens the general ambiance but provides therapy in its hubandry.
The key to realizing the potential of your small space, in both visual and practical terms, is design - this involves planning and styling your space so it suits your way of life, as well as the character of your home and its surroundings.